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Configuring Mesh Networking
9-5
Limit the wireless client’s connections to reduce the total number of hops required to get to the wired
network. Use each radio’s "preferred" base bridge list to define which AP-5131s the client bridge is
allowed to connect to. For more information, see Configuring Mesh Networking Support on page 9-6.
9.1.4 Mesh Networking and the AP-5131’s Two Subnets
The AP-5131 now has a second subnet on the LAN side of the system. This means wireless clients
communicating through the same radio can reside on different subnets. The addition of this feature
adds another layer of complexity to the AP-5131’s mesh networking functionality.
With a second LAN introduced, the LAN’s Ethernet port (and any of the 16 WLANs) could be assigned
to one of two different subnets. From a layer 2 perspective, the system has two different bridge
functionalities, each with its own STP. The WLAN assignment controls the subnet (LAN1 or 2) upon
which a given connection resides. If WLAN2 is assigned to LAN1, and WLAN2 is used to establish a
client bridge connection, then the mesh network connection resides on LAN1.
Therefore, (depending upon the WLAN-to-LAN mapping), the AP-5131 could have multiple mesh
connections on either LAN1 or LAN2.
9.1.5 Normal Operation
Once the mesh network is defined, all normal AP-5131 operations are still allowed. MUs are still
allowed to associate with the AP-5131 as usual. The user can create WLANs, security polices and
VLANs as with any other access point. DHCP services function normally and all layer 3
communications are allowed.
WNMP is used to send information about each mesh network so information can be displayed to the
user from any AP-5131 on the system. WNMP messages are AP-AP info messages used to send
system status.
9.1.6 Impact of Importing/Exporting Configurations to a Mesh Network
When using the AP-5131’s Configuration Import/Export screen to migrate an AP-5131’s configuration
to other AP-5131s, mesh network configuration parameters will get sent or saved to other AP-5131s.