A low-cost, and feature-rich wireless solution for small and medium size industry
- TheTechPriyanka
- Jul 24, 2023
- 1 min read
Happy Monday!
Often, in wireless networking for small or medium deployments, we prefer an enterprise-level WLAN architecture that is simplified, low-cost, and feature-rich. So that small and midsize networks can benefit from the same quality user experience as large enterprises with this solution.
Under this solution, we use APs themselves as wireless controllers. This type of deployment is pretty cool. Here are a few things you should know about this type of setup.
Access Points (APs) running wireless controllers are designated as active APs. This active AP manages other access points, which are referred to as subordinate/slave/neighbour APs.
The active AP has two important roles:
++ To manage and control subordinate APs, it functions and operates as a Wireless LAN Controller (WLC). Clients are served by the subordinate APs.
++ Additionally, master APs serve clients as access points.
Different wireless vendors like Cisco, Aruba, Ruckus have similar concepts/logic, for this setup but differ in their selection processes and naming conventions. APs are called IAPs (Instant APs) in Aruba, unleashed APs in Ruckus, and Mobility Express in Cisco. The Cisco Catalyst 9100 access point, which is newer, supports Embedded Wireless Controller functionality (similar to Mobility Express), where one AP can act as a Master AP and provide WLC functionality.
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