Nortel Networks 2300 Switch User Manual


 
208 Configuring APs
NN47250-500 (320657-F Version 02.01)
Dual-homed distributed connections to WSSs on one AP port
Figure 6 shows an example of an AP with a single physical link to a network containing three WSSs.
Figure 6. Single-homed connection to multiple WSSs on one AP port
In this configuration, the AP sends a boot request on its connected port. WSSs that are in the same subnet
respond to the AP. Switches with high bias for the AP respond immediately, whereas switches with low bias
for the AP respond after a brief delay.
If the switches are in another subnet, the AP uses DNS to locate one of the switches, and asks the switch to
send the IP address of the best WSS to use, based on the bias settings on each switch and the capacity of each
switch to add new active AP connections. The AP then requests its image and configuration files from the best
WSS.
Boot process for distributed APs
When a distributed AP boots on the network, it uses the process described in this section. Note that this
process applies only to distributed APs; it does not apply to a directly connected AP. The boot process for a
directly connected AP occurs strictly between the AP and WSS and makes no use of the network’s DHCP or
DNS services.
The boot process for a distributed AP consists of the following steps:
1 Establishing connectivity on the network
2 Contacting a WSS
3 Loading and activating an operational image
4 Obtaining configuration information from the WSS
These steps are described in more detail in the following sections.
Network
backbone
WSS
WSS
WSS