Configuring Network Interconnections
To enable APs and STAs to obtain IP addresses, APs to discover the AC and go online on the AC, and STAs to access the network, configure interconnections between network devices.
The APs need to send service packets to STAs, and forward management packets and STAs' service packets the AC. When configuring network interconnections, configure the management and service packets separately.
Configuring Management Packet Exchange
Management packets between the AC and APs are transmitted only on the network between them. To ensure that the AC and APs exchange management packets properly, you need to configure correct VLANs and routes.
The PVIDs of network device interfaces directly connected to the APs must be set to management VLAN IDs.
Configuring Service Packet Exchange
- Tunnel forwarding mode:
- Configure the AC and APs to exchange management packets but not service packets. In tunnel forwarding mode, service packets are encapsulated in CAPWAP data tunnels and forwarded by the AC to the upper-layer network.
- Configure the AC to exchange service packets with upper-layer network devices.
Direct forwarding mode:
Configure the APs to exchange service VLAN packets with the upper-layer network. In direct forwarding mode, service packets are not encapsulated in CAPWAP data tunnels. They can be forwarded directly or by the AC to the upper-layer network. If a VLAN pool is configured as service VLANs, configure the APs and upper-layer network to allow packets from all VLANs in the VLAN pool to pass.
Configuring APs and STAs to Communicate with the DHCP Server
The APs and STAs must obtain IP addresses from the DHCP server; therefore, you need to configure the APs and STAs to communicate with the DHCP server.