WS 2000 Wireless Switch System Reference Guide1-6
Software Overview
The WS 2000 Wireless Switch software provides a fully integrated solution for managing every aspect of connecting
Wireless LANs (WLANs) to a wired network, and includes the following components:
Operating System (OS) Services
Operating System (OS) Services determine how the WS 2000 Wireless Switch communicates with existing network and
operating system-centric software services, including:
• Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP)
• Telnet and File Transfer Protocol (FTP/TFTP) servers
• The Simple Network Time Protocol (SNTP) client, used to keep switch time synchronized for Kerberos authentication
• A mechanism for setting up a redundant (secondary) switch that takes over if the primary switch fails
Cell Controller Services
The Cell Controller provides the ongoing communication between mobile units (MUs) on the Wireless LAN (WLAN) and the
wired network. Cell Controller services perform the following:
• Initialize the Access Ports
• Maintain contact with Access Ports by sending a synchronized electronic “heartbeat” at regular intervals
• Track MUs when they roam from one location to another
• Manage security schemes based on system configuration
• Maintain system statistics
• Store policies and Access Port information
• Detect and manage rogue Access Ports
• Management of communications QoS
Gateway Services
Gateway services provide interconnectivity between the Cell Controller and the wired network, and include the following:
• System management through a Web-based Graphical User Interface (GUI) and SNMP
• 802.1x RADIUS client
• Security, including Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) and Firewall
• Network Address Translation (NAT), DHCP services, and Layer 3 Routing
• Virtual Private Network (VPN)