Psion Teklogix 9160 G2 - Manual (Page 221)

Psion Teklogix 9160 G2 Wireless Gateway User Manual 199
Chapter 20: Wireless Distribution System
Understanding The Wireless Distribution System
The 9160 G2 Wireless Gateway lets you connect multiple access points using a
Wireless Distribution System (WDS). WDS allows access points to communicate
with one another wirelessly. This capability is critical in providing a seamless expe-
rience for roaming clients and for managing multiple wireless networks. It can also
simplify the network infrastructure by reducing the amount of cabling required.
The following sections describe how to configure the WDS on the 9160 G2 Wire-
less Gateway.
20.1 Understanding The Wireless Distribution System
A Wireless Distribution System (WDS) is a technology that wirelessly connects
access points, known as Basic Service Sets (BSS), to form what is known as an
Extended Service Set (ESS).
Note: A BSS generally equates to an access point (deployed as a single-AP wire-
less “network”), except in cases where multi-BSSID features make a single
access point look like two or more access points to the network. In such
cases, the access point has multiple unique BSSIDs.
20.1.1 Using WDS To Bridge Distant Wired LANs
In an ESS, a network of multiple access points, each access point serves part of an
area which is too large for a single access point to cover. You can use WDS to bridge
distant Ethernets to create a single LAN. For example, suppose you have one access
point which is connected to the network by Ethernet and serving multiple client sta-
tions in the Conference Room (LAN Segment 1), and another Ethernet-wired access
point serving stations in the West Wing offices (LAN Segment 2). You can bridge
the Conference Room and West Wing access points with a WDS link to create a
single network for clients in both areas (see Figure 20.1 on page 200).