Brocade Mobility 7131 Access Point Product Reference Guide (Supporting software release 4.4.0.0 and later) - Manual (Page 456)

444 Brocade Mobility 7131 Access Point Product Reference Guide
53-1002517-01
9
A mesh network must use one of the two access point LANs. If intending to use the access point for
mesh networking support, Brocade Mobility recommends configuring at least one WLAN (of the 16
WLANs available) specifically for mesh networking support.
The client bridge creates up to three connections if it can find base bridges for connection. If the
connections are redundant (on the same network), then one connection will be forwarding and the
others blocked. However, if each of the connections links to a different wired network, then none
are redundant and all are forwarding. Thus, the bridge automatically detects and disables
redundant connections, but leaves non-redundant connections forwarding. This gives the user the
freedom to configure their topology in a variety of ways without limitations. This is important when
configuring multiple access points for base bridge support in areas like a shipping yard where a
large radio coverage area is required. For more information on configuring the access point in
respect to specific usage scenarios, see Mesh Network Deployment - Quick Setup on page 9-457.
NOTE
Since each access point can establish up to 3 simultaneous wireless connections, some of these
connections could be redundant. If this is the case, the STP algorithm defines which links are the
redundant links and disables those links from forwarding.
If an access point is configured as a base bridge (but not as a client bridge) it operates normally at
boot time. The base bridge supports connections made by other client bridges.
The dual-radio model access point affords users better optimization of the mesh networking
feature by enabling the access point to transmit to other mesh network members using one
independent radio and transmit with associated MUs using the second independent radio. A
single-radio access point has its channel utilization and throughput degraded in a mesh network,
as the AP’s single radio must process both mesh network traffic with other access points and MU
traffic with its associated devices.
CAUTION
Only Brocade Mobility Mobility 7131 Access Point, Mobility 7131N Access Point, Mobility 5181
Access Points model can be used as base bridges, client bridges or repeaters within an access
point supported mesh network. If utilizing a mesh network, Brocade Mobility recommends
considering a dual-radio model to optimize channel utilization and throughput.
The Client Bridge Association Process
An access point in client bridge mode performs an active scan to quickly create a table of the
access points nearby. The table contains the access points matching the ESS of the client bridge
AP’s WLAN. The table is used to determine the best access point to connect to (based on signal
strength, load and the user's configured preferred connection list).
The association and authentication process is identical to the MU association process. The client
access point sends 802.11 authentication and association frames to the base access point. The
base access point responds as if the client is an actual mobile unit. Depending on the security
policy, the two access point’s engage in the normal handshake mechanism to establish keys.
After device association, the two access points are connected and the system can establish the
bridge and run the spanning tree algorithm. In the meantime, the access point in client bridge
mode continues to scan in the background attempts to establish an association with other access
points using the same ESS on the same channel.