Rockwell Automation 1783-WAPxxx Stratix 5100 Wireless Access Point User Manual - Manual (Page 26)

26 Rockwell Automation Publication 1783-UM006A-EN-P - May 2014
Chapter 1 Getting Started with the Stratix 5100 WAP
Repeater Access Point An access point can be configured as a stand-alone repeater to extend the range of
your infrastructure or to overcome an obstacle that blocks radio communication.
The repeater forwards traffic between wireless users and the wired LAN by
sending packets to either another repeater or to an access point connected to the
wired LAN. The data is sent through the route that provides the best
performance for the client.
Consult the Configuring Repeater and Standby Access Points and Workgroup
Bridge Mode on page 521 for instructions on how to set up an access point as a
repeater.
Figure 2 - Access Point Acting as a Repeater
Bridges
The Stratix 5100 access point can be configured as a root or non-root bridge. In
this role, an access point establishes a wireless link with a non-root bridge. Traffic
is passed over the link to the wired LAN. Access points in root and non-root
bridge roles can be configured to accept associations from clients.
•
Figure 3 on page 27 shows an access point configured as a root bridge with
clients.
•
Figure 4 on page 27 shows two access points configured as a root and non-
root bridge, both accepting client associations.
See Configuring Radio Settings on page 241 for instructions on how to set up an
access point as a bridge.
When wireless bridges are used in a point-to-multipoint configuration the
throughput is reduced depending on the number of non-root bridges that
associate with the root bridge. The maximum throughput is about 25 Mbps in a
point to point link. The addition of three bridges to form a point-to-multipoint
network reduces the throughput to about 12.5 Mbps.
TIP Client devices that are not manufactured by Rockwell Automation or Cisco can
have difficulty communicating with repeater access points.
Access point Repeater
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