Allied Telesis AT-WA7400/EU - Manual (Page 44)

Chapter 3: Managing Access Points and Clusters
44
Understanding Clustering
A key feature of the AT-WA7400 Management Software is the ability to
form a dynamic, configuration-aware group (called a cluster) with other
AT-WA7400 Wireless Access Points in a network in the same subnet.
Access points can participate in a self-organizing cluster which makes it
easier for you to deploy, administer, and secure your wireless network.
The cluster provides a single point of administration and lets you view the
deployment of access points as a single wireless network rather than a
series of separate wireless devices.
What is a
Cluster?
A cluster is a group of access points which are coordinated as a single
group through the AT-WA7400 Management Software. You cannot create
multiple clusters on a single wireless network (
SSIS ). Only one cluster per
wireless network is supported.
How Many
Access Points
Can a Cluster
Support?
Up to eight access points are supported in a cluster at any one time. If a
new access point is added to a network with a cluster that is already at full
capacity, the new access point is added in standalone mode. Note that
when the cluster is full, extra access points are added in standalone mode
regardless of the configuration policy in effect for new access points.
For related information, see “Cluster Mode” on page 46 and “Standalone
Mode” on page 46.
What Kinds of
Access Points
Can Cluster
Together?
A single AT-WA7400 Wireless Access Point can form a cluster with itself
(a “cluster of one”) and with other AT-WA7400 Wireless Access Points of
the same model.
What is the
Relationship of
the Master Access
Point to Other
Cluster
Members?
You use a master access point, which you choose from among the cluster
members, to change the cluster configuration, share configuration
updates, and track new access points joining or leaving the group. If a
master access point becomes unavailable, a new cluster member is
assigned master responsibilities. This process is fully automated based on
a ruleset that takes into account seniority, cluster size, and other factors to
determine which access point is best suited to the task at any given time.
There is no need to track or attend to which access point is the master
because this status is subject to change at any time depending on the
needs of the cluster. This concept is important because you may notice
slight differences between configuration information displayed on
AT-WA7400 Management Software web pages for a master access point
versus other cluster members.