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Configuring Mesh Networking
9.1 Mesh Networking Overview
An AP-5131 can be configured in two modes to support the new mesh networking functionality. The
AP-5131 can be set to a client bridge mode and/or a base bridge mode (which accepts connections
from client bridges). Base bridge and client bridge mode can be used at the same time by an
individual AP-5131 to optimally bridge traffic to other members of the mesh network and service
associated MUs.
An AP-5131 in client bridge mode scans to locate other access points using the WLAP client's ESSID.
Then it is required to go through the association and authentication process to establish wireless
connections with the located devices. This association process is identical to the AP-5131’s current
MU association process. Once the association and authentication process is complete, the wireless
client adds the connection as a port on its bridge module. This causes the client bridge to begin
forwarding packets to the base bridge node. The base bridge realizes it is talking to a wireless client
bridge. It then adds that connection as a port on its own bridge module. The two bridges at that point
are communicating using the Spanning Tree Protocol (STP).