72 Configuring and Managing Ports and VLANs
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Setting the Port Type
A WSS port can be one of the following types:
• Network port. A network port is a Layer 2 switch port that connects the WSS switch to other networking devices
such as switches and routers.
• AP access port. An AP access point connects the WSS to an AP access port. The port also can provide power to the
AP access point. Wireless users are authenticated to the network through an AP access port.
• Wired authentication port. A wired authentication port connects the WSS switch to user devices, such as
workstations, that must be authenticated to access the network.
All WSS switch ports are network ports by default. You must set the port type for ports directly connected to AP access
points and to wired user stations that must be authenticated to access the network. When you change port type, WSS
Software applies default settings appropriate for the port type. Table 1 lists the default settings applied for each port
type. For example, the AP access point column lists default settings that WSS Software applies when you change a port
type to ap (AP access port).
Note. A Distributed AP, which is connected to WSS switches through
intermediate Layer 2 or Layer 3 networks, does not use an AP access port. To
configure for a Distributed AP, see “Configuring for a Distributed AP” on page 76
and “Configuring AP access points,” on page 221.
Table 1: Port Defaults Set By Port Type Change
Parameter
Port type
AP Access Wired Authentication Network
VLAN
membership
Removed from all
VLANs. You cannot
assign an AP access
point to a VLAN. WSS
Software automatically
assigns AP access ports
to VLANs based on
user traffic.
Removed from all VLANs. You
cannot assign a wired
authentication port to a VLAN.
WSS Software automatically
assigns wired authentication
ports to VLANs based on user
traffic.
None
Note: If you clear a port,
WSS Software resets the port
as a network port but does
not add the port back to any
VLANs. You must explicitly
add the port to the desired
VLANs.
Spanning Tree
Protocol (STP)
Not applicable Not applicable Based on the STP states of
the VLANs the port is in.
802.1X Uses authentication
parameters configured
for users.
Uses authentication parameters
configured for users.
No authentication.
Port groups Not applicable Not applicable None
