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Example for Configuring the WLAN Service Using Mesh Technology

Mesh Overview

Mesh is short for wireless mesh network (WMN), which consists of APs wirelessly connected in a mesh topology.

On a traditional WLAN network, APs connect to an AC through wired uplinks. Wired network deployment is costly in areas where network cables are difficult to deploy, for example, tunnels and docks. In these areas, the mesh technology can be used to deploy a wireless network quickly. A mesh network supports dynamic and automatic configuration, allowing you to add or remove mesh nodes flexibly. In addition, the mesh technology supports link redundancy so that the failure of a single node will not affect the entire network. This makes networks more robust.

A mesh network has two types of nodes:
  • Mesh portal point (MPP): a mesh point that provides the portal function to connect the mesh network to other types of networks for communication.
  • Mesh point (MP): a mesh-capable node that uses IEEE 802.11 MAC and physical layer protocols for wireless communication. This node supports automatic topology discovery, automatic route discovery, and data packet forwarding. MPs can provide both mesh service and user access service.

Both WDS and mesh technologies can implement wireless bridging between APs. A WDS network supports a maximum of three hops (for example, a WDS link can be established along a root node, a middle node, and a leaf node), has a tree topology, and does not support link redundancy between nodes. On the other hand, a mesh network supports a maximum of eight hops, has a mesh topology, and supports link redundancy between nodes. These factors make a mesh network more reliable than a WDS network. You can choose the WDS or mesh technology to deploy wireless bridging between APs according to your networking needs.

Configuration Notes

  • For details about common WLAN configuration notes, see General Precautions for WLAN. For more deployment and configuration suggestions, see Wireless Network Deployment and Configuration Suggestions.

  • From V200R011C10, WLAN configurations are automatically delivered, without the need of running the commit all command.

  • On a WDS or mesh network, an 802.11ac AP cannot interoperate with non-802.11ac APs regardless of their radio types. Only 802.11ac APs can interoperate with each other.

    Among all WDS- and mesh-capable APs, only the AP1050DN-S, AP4050DN, AP4051DN, AP4151DN, AP8050DN, AP8150DN, AP5030DN, AP5130DN, AP8130DN, AP8030DN, AP8130DN-W, AP4030DN, AP4130DN, AP9131DN, AP9132DN, AP6050DN, AP6150DN, AP7050DE, AP7050DN-E, AP4030TN, AP4050DN-E, AP4050DN-HD, AP4051TN, AP6052DN, AP7052DN, AP7152DN, AP7052DE, AP8050TN-HD, AP8082DN, and AP8182DN are 802.11ac APs.

  • If radio 0 of the AP8130DN is configured to work on the 5 GHz frequency band and used for WDS or mesh services, the software version of the AP connected to the AP8130DN must be V200R005C10 or later.

  • It is recommended that you deploy no more than 40 mesh nodes on a mesh network.

  • You cannot use WDS and mesh technologies on the same network.

  • If WDS and Mesh services are configured on an AP radio, WIDS, spectrum analysis, or WLAN location on the radio does not take effect.

  • How to configure the source interface:
    • In V200R006, run the wlan ac source interface { loopback loopback-number | vlanif vlan-id } command in the WLAN view.
    • In V200R007 and V200R008, run the capwap source interface { loopback loopback-number | vlanif vlan-id } command in the system view.

  • Table 1 and Table 2 list applicable products and versions.

    Mesh is not supported by the AirEngine 5760-22W, AirEngine 5760-22WD, AirEngine 5760-51, AirEngine 6760R-51, AirEngine 6760R-51E, AirEngine 6760-X1, AirEngine 6760-X1E, AirEngine 8760R-X1, AirEngine 8760R-X1E, AirEngine 8760-X1-PRO, AirEngine 9700D-M (including the mapping RUs), AP7060DN, AD9431DN-24X central AP (including the mapping RUs), AD9430DN-24 central AP (including the mapping RUs), AD9430DN-12 central AP (including the mapping RUs), AP6310SN-GN, AP2010DN, AP2030DN, AP2050DN, AP2050DN-E, AP2050DN-S, AP1010SN, AP7030DE, AP9330DN, AP2030DN-S, AP2051DN, AP2051DN-S, AP2051DN-L-S, AP5510-W-GP, AirEngine 5760-10, WA375DD-CE, and AP2051DN-E.

Networking Requirements

An enterprise has three areas: Area A, Area B, and Area C. Restricted by geographical locations, the AP in Area A can be deployed in wired mode, but wired deployment of APs is costly in Area B and Area C. The enterprise requires that APs be deployed in Area B and Area C at low cost.

As shown in Figure 1, a mesh network is deployed to connect AP_2 and AP_3 to AP_1 through mesh links, which can reduce network construction cost.

Figure 1 Mesh networking

Data Plan

Before configuring the mesh service, determine the types and MAC addresses of the APs used as mesh nodes. The following table provides the data plan for this example.

The APs used in this example are AP6010DN-AGN.

Table 1 AP data required for completing the configuration

AP

Type

MAC

AP_1

AP6010DN-AGN

60de-4474-9640

AP_2

AP6010DN-AGN

60de-4476-e360

AP_3

AP6010DN-AGN

dcd2-fcf6-76a0

The following provides data planning for mesh service configuration.

Table 2 Data required for completing the configuration

Item

Data

Management VLAN for APs

VLAN 100

DHCP server

The AC functions as a DHCP server to allocate IP addresses to APs.

Address pool: 10.23.100.2-10.23.100.254/24

AC's source interface

VLANIF 100: 10.23.100.1/24

Mesh profile name

Name: mesh-net

Mesh role
  • AP_1: Mesh-portal (MPP)
  • AP_2: Mesh-node (MP)
  • AP_3: Mesh-node (MP)

Mesh ID

Name: mesh-net

Mesh whitelist

Name: mesh-list

AP system profile

Name: mesh-sys

Radio used by Mesh services
Radio 1:
  • Bandwidth: 40mhz-plus
  • Channel: 157
  • Radio coverage distance parameter: 4 (unit: 100 m)

Security profile
  • Name: mesh-sec
  • Security policy: WPA2+PSK+AES
  • Password type: PASS-PHRASE
  • Password: a1234567

AP group
  • mesh-mpp: AP_1
  • mesh-mp: AP_2 and AP_3

Configuration Roadmap

The configuration roadmap is as follows:

  1. Configure network connectivity and enable the AP (MPP) in Area A to go online on the AC in wired mode.
  2. Configure Mesh services to enable APs (MPs) in Area B and Area C to go online on the AC through Mesh links.

Procedure

  1. Configure the AC to communicate with AP_1.

    # Configure access switch Switch_A. Add GE0/0/1 to VLAN 100 (management VLAN) and set the PVID of the interface to VLAN 100. Configure GE0/0/1 and GE0/0/2 to allow packets from VLAN 100 to pass through.

    <HUAWEI> system-view
[HUAWEI] sysname Switch_A
[Switch_A] vlan batch 100
[Switch_A] interface gigabitEthernet 0/0/1
[Switch_A-GigabitEthernet0/0/1] port link-type trunk
[Switch_A-GigabitEthernet0/0/1] port trunk pvid vlan 100
[Switch_A-GigabitEthernet0/0/1] port trunk allow-pass vlan 100
[Switch_A-GigabitEthernet0/0/1] undo port trunk allow-pass vlan 1
[Switch_A-GigabitEthernet0/0/1] stp edged-port enable
[Switch_A-GigabitEthernet0/0/1] port-isolate enable
[Switch_A-GigabitEthernet0/0/1] quit
[Switch_A] interface gigabitEthernet 0/0/2
[Switch_A-GigabitEthernet0/0/2] port link-type trunk
[Switch_A-GigabitEthernet0/0/2] port trunk allow-pass vlan 100
[Switch_A-GigabitEthernet0/0/2] undo port trunk allow-pass vlan 1
[Switch_A-GigabitEthernet0/0/2] quit

    # Configure aggregation switch Switch_B. Configure GE0/0/1 and GE0/0/2 to allow packets from VLAN 100 to pass through.

    <HUAWEI> system-view
[HUAWEI] sysname Switch_B
[Switch_B] vlan batch 100
[Switch_B] interface gigabitEthernet 0/0/1
[Switch_B-GigabitEthernet0/0/1] port link-type trunk
[Switch_B-GigabitEthernet0/0/1] port trunk allow-pass vlan 100
[Switch_B-GigabitEthernet0/0/1] undo port trunk allow-pass vlan 1
[Switch_B-GigabitEthernet0/0/1] quit
[Switch_B] interface gigabitEthernet 0/0/2
[Switch_B-GigabitEthernet0/0/2] port link-type trunk
[Switch_B-GigabitEthernet0/0/2] port trunk allow-pass vlan 100
[Switch_B-GigabitEthernet0/0/2] undo port trunk allow-pass vlan 1
[Switch_B-GigabitEthernet0/0/2] quit

    # Configure GE1/0/1 that connects the AC to the aggregation switch to allow packets from VLAN 100 to pass through.

    <HUAWEI> system-view
[HUAWEI] sysname AC
[AC] vlan batch 100
[AC] interface gigabitEthernet 1/0/1
[AC-GigabitEthernet1/0/1] port link-type trunk
[AC-GigabitEthernet1/0/1] port trunk allow-pass vlan 100
[AC-GigabitEthernet1/0/1] undo port trunk allow-pass vlan 1
[AC-GigabitEthernet1/0/1] quit

  2. Configure the AC as a DHCP server to assign IP addresses to APs.

    [AC] dhcp enable
[AC] interface vlanif 100
[AC-Vlanif100] ip address 10.23.100.1 24
[AC-Vlanif100] dhcp select interface
[AC-Vlanif100] quit

  3. Configure the AP groups, country code, and AC's source interface.

    # Create AP groups for MPPs and MPs respectively.

    [AC] wlan
[AC-wlan-view] ap-group name mesh-mpp      //Configure an AP group for MPPs.
[AC-wlan-ap-group-mesh-mpp] quit
[AC-wlan-view] ap-group name mesh-mp      //Configure an AP group for MPs.
[AC-wlan-ap-group-mesh-mp] quit

    # Create a regulatory domain profile, configure the AC country code in the profile, and apply the profile to the AP groups.

    [AC-wlan-view] regulatory-domain-profile name domain1
[AC-wlan-regulate-domain-domain1] country-code cn
[AC-wlan-regulate-domain-domain1] quit
[AC-wlan-view] ap-group name mesh-mpp
[AC-wlan-ap-group-mesh-mpp] regulatory-domain-profile domain1
Warning: Modifying the country code will clear channel, power and antenna gain configurations of the radio and reset the AP. Continue?[Y/N]:y  
[AC-wlan-ap-group-mesh-mpp] quit
[AC-wlan-view] ap-group name mesh-mp
[AC-wlan-ap-group-mesh-mp] regulatory-domain-profile domain1
Warning: Modifying the country code will clear channel, power and antenna gain configurations of the radio and reset the AP. Continue?[Y/N]:y  
[AC-wlan-ap-group-mesh-mp] quit
[AC-wlan-view] quit

    # Configure the AC's source interface.

    [AC] capwap source interface vlanif 100
    # Add AP_1 to the AP group mesh-mpp and AP_2 and AP_3 to the AP group mesh-mp.

    The default AP authentication mode is MAC address authentication. If the default settings are retained, you do not need to run the ap auth-mode mac-auth command.

    In this example, the AP6010DN-AGN is used and has two radios: radio 0 and radio 1.

    [AC] wlan
[AC-wlan-view] ap auth-mode mac-auth
[AC-wlan-view] ap-id 1 ap-mac 60de-4474-9640
[AC-wlan-ap-1] ap-name AP_1
[AC-wlan-ap-1] ap-group mesh-mpp
Warning: This operation may cause AP reset. If the country code changes, it will clear channel, power and antenna gain configuration s of the radio, Whether to continue? [Y/N]:y  
[AC-wlan-ap-1] quit
[AC-wlan-view] ap-id 2 ap-mac 60de-4476-e360
[AC-wlan-ap-2] ap-name AP_2
[AC-wlan-ap-2] ap-group mesh-mp
Warning: This operation may cause AP reset. If the country code changes, it will clear channel, power and antenna gain configuration s of the radio, Whether to continue? [Y/N]:y  
[AC-wlan-ap-2] quit
[AC-wlan-view] ap-id 3 ap-mac dcd2-fcf6-76a0
[AC-wlan-ap-3] ap-name AP_3
[AC-wlan-ap-3] ap-group mesh-mp
Warning: This operation may cause AP reset. If the country code changes, it will clear channel, power and antenna gain configuration s of the radio, Whether to continue? [Y/N]:y  
[AC-wlan-ap-3] quit

  4. Configure mesh parameters.

    # Configure radio parameters for mesh nodes. Radio 1 of the AP6010DN-AGN is used as an example. coverage distance is the radio coverage distance parameter, which is 3 (unit: 100 m) by default. In this example, the radio coverage distance is set to 4. You can configure the parameter as required.

    [AC-wlan-view] ap-group name mesh-mpp
[AC-wlan-ap-group-mesh-mpp] radio 1
[AC-wlan-group-radio-mesh-mpp/1] channel 40mhz-plus 157      //Configure the channel and bandwidth for mesh links. All mesh links on the same mesh network must be configured with the same channel and bandwidth.
[AC-wlan-group-radio-mesh-mpp/1] coverage distance 4      //After the radio coverage distance parameter is configured based on distances between APs, the APs will automatically adjust the values of slottime, acktimeout, and ctstimeout based on the configured distance parameter. 
[AC-wlan-group-radio-mesh-mpp/1] quit
[AC-wlan-ap-group-mesh-mpp] quit
[AC-wlan-view] ap-group name mesh-mp
[AC-wlan-ap-group-mesh-mp] radio 1
[AC-wlan-group-radio-mesh-mp/1] channel 40mhz-plus 157
[AC-wlan-group-radio-mesh-mp/1] coverage distance 4
[AC-wlan-group-radio-mesh-mp/1] quit
[AC-wlan-ap-group-mesh-mp] quit

    # Set parameters for the APs' wired interfaces. This example assumes that the service VLAN is VLAN 101. Wired interfaces of all mesh nodes are therefore added to VLAN 101 in tagged mode.

    [AC-wlan-view] wired-port-profile name wired-port
[AC-wlan-wired-port-wired-port] vlan tagged 101
[AC-wlan-wired-port-wired-port] quit

    # Configure the security profile mesh-sec used by mesh links. The mesh network supports only the security policy WPA2+PSK+AES.

    [AC-wlan-view] security-profile name mesh-sec
[AC-wlan-sec-prof-mesh-sec] security wpa2 psk pass-phrase a1234567 aes
[AC-wlan-sec-prof-mesh-sec] quit

    # Configure a mesh whitelist.

    [AC-wlan-view] mesh-whitelist-profile name mesh-list
[AC-wlan-mesh-whitelist-mesh-list] peer-ap mac 60de-4474-9640
[AC-wlan-mesh-whitelist-mesh-list] peer-ap mac 60de-4476-e360
[AC-wlan-mesh-whitelist-mesh-list] peer-ap mac dcd2-fcf6-76a0
[AC-wlan-mesh-whitelist-mesh-list] quit

    # Configure mesh roles. Set the mesh role of AP_1 to mesh-portal. AP_2 and AP_3 use the default mesh role mesh-node. Mesh roles are configured through the AP system profile.

    [AC-wlan-view] ap-system-profile name mesh-sys
[AC-wlan-ap-system-prof-mesh-sys] mesh-role mesh-portal
[AC-wlan-ap-system-prof-mesh-sys] quit

    # Configure a mesh profile. Set the mesh network ID to mesh-net, aging time of mesh links to 30s, and bind the security profile and mesh whitelist to the mesh profile.

    [AC-wlan-view] mesh-profile name mesh-net
[AC-wlan-mesh-prof-mesh-net] mesh-id mesh-net          //Only mesh VAPs with the same mesh network ID can set up mesh links.
[AC-wlan-mesh-prof-mesh-net] link-aging-time 30
[AC-wlan-mesh-prof-mesh-net] security-profile mesh-sec
[AC-wlan-mesh-prof-mesh-net] quit

    # Bind the mesh whitelist profile to the AP radio.

    [AC-wlan-view] ap-group name mesh-mpp
[AC-wlan-ap-group-mesh-mpp] radio 1
[AC-wlan-group-radio-mesh-mpp/1] mesh-whitelist-profile mesh-list
[AC-wlan-group-radio-mesh-mpp/1] quit
[AC-wlan-ap-group-mesh-mpp] quit
[AC-wlan-view] ap-group name mesh-mp
[AC-wlan-ap-group-mesh-mp] radio 1
[AC-wlan-group-radio-mesh-mp/1] mesh-whitelist-profile mesh-list
[AC-wlan-group-radio-mesh-mp/1] quit
[AC-wlan-ap-group-mesh-mp] quit

  5. Bind required profiles to the AP groups to make mesh services take effect.

    # Bind the AP wired port profile wired-port to AP groups mesh-mpp and mesh-mp to make AP wired port parameters take effect on mesh nodes. This example assumes that all APs connect to Switch_A through GE0.

    [AC-wlan-view] ap-group name mesh-mpp
[AC-wlan-ap-group-mesh-mpp] wired-port-profile wired-port gigabitethernet 0
[AC-wlan-ap-group-mesh-mpp] quit
[AC-wlan-view] ap-group name mesh-mp
[AC-wlan-ap-group-mesh-mp] wired-port-profile wired-port gigabitethernet 0
[AC-wlan-ap-group-mesh-mp] quit

    # Bind the AP system profile mesh-sys to the AP group mesh-mpp to make the MPP role take effect on AP_1.

    [AC-wlan-view] ap-group name mesh-mpp
[AC-wlan-ap-group-mesh-mpp] ap-system-profile mesh-sys
[AC-wlan-ap-group-mesh-mpp] quit

    # Bind the mesh profile mesh-net to AP groups mesh-mpp and mesh-mp to make the mesh services take effect.

    [AC-wlan-view] ap-group name mesh-mpp
[AC-wlan-ap-group-mesh-mpp] mesh-profile mesh-net radio 1
[AC-wlan-ap-group-mesh-mpp] quit
[AC-wlan-view] ap-group name mesh-mp
[AC-wlan-ap-group-mesh-mp] mesh-profile mesh-net radio 1
[AC-wlan-ap-group-mesh-mp] quit

  6. Commit the configuration.

    [AC-wlan-view] commit all
Warning: Committing configuration may cause service interruption, continue?[Y/N]:y

  7. Verify the mesh service configuration.

    # After the configuration is complete, run the display ap all command to check whether mesh nodes go online successfully. If State is nor, the APs have gone online.

    [AC-wlan-view] display ap all
Total AP information:                                                           
nor  : normal          [3]                                                      
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------                                                                      
ID   MAC            Name Group     IP              Type            State STA Upt
ime                                                                             
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------
1    60de-4474-9640 AP_1 mesh-mpp 10.23.100.254   AP6010DN-AGN    nor   0  
 13M:45S  
2    60de-4476-e360 AP_2 mesh-mp  10.23.100.251   AP6010DN-AGN    nor   0  
 5M:22S   
3    dcd2-fcf6-76a0 AP_3 mesh-mp  10.23.100.253   AP6010DN-AGN    nor   0  
 4M:14S   
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
---                                                                             
Total: 3

    # After mesh services take effect, run the display wlan mesh link all command to check mesh link information.

    [AC-wlan-view] display wlan mesh link all
Rf   : radio ID             Dis  : coverage distance(100m)                      
Ch   : channel              Per  : drop percent(%)                              
TSNR : total SNR(dB)        P-   : peer                                         
Mesh : Mesh mode            Re   : retry ratio(%)                               
RSSI : RSSI(dBm)            MaxR : max RSSI(dBm)                                
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-----------------                                                               
APName  P-APName  Rf Dis   Ch   Mesh    P-Status        RSSI  MaxR  Per  Re   TS
NR  SNR(Ch0~2:dB)                                                               
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-----------------                                                               
AP_1    AP_2      1  4     157  portal  normal          -30   -27   0    12   67
   62/65/-                                                                      
AP_1    AP_3      1  4     157  portal  normal          -26   -24   0    12   71
   67/68/-                                                                      
AP_3    AP_2      1  4     157  node    normal          -19   -3    0    5    77
   66/76/-                                                                      
AP_3    AP_1      1  4     157  node    normal          -32   -4    0    26   64
   55/63/-                                                                      
AP_2    AP_1      1  4     157  node    normal          -32   -4    0    12   64
   62/61/-                                                                      
AP_2    AP_3      1  4     157  node    normal          -14   -12   0    4    82
   71/82/-                                                                      
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-----------------                                                               
Total: 6

Configuration Files

  • Switch_A configuration file

    #
sysname Switch_A
#
 vlan batch 100
#
interface GigabitEthernet0/0/1
 port link-type trunk
 port trunk pvid vlan 100
 undo port trunk allow-pass vlan 1
 port trunk allow-pass vlan 100
 stp edged-port enable
 port-isolate enable group 1
 port-isolate enable group 1
#
interface GigabitEthernet0/0/2
 port link-type trunk
 undo port trunk allow-pass vlan 1
 port trunk allow-pass vlan 100
#
return

  • Switch_B configuration file

    #
sysname Switch_B
#
 vlan batch 100
#
interface GigabitEthernet0/0/1
 port link-type trunk
 undo port trunk allow-pass vlan 1
 port trunk allow-pass vlan 100
#
interface GigabitEthernet0/0/2
 port link-type trunk
 undo port trunk allow-pass vlan 1
 port trunk allow-pass vlan 100
#
return

  • AC configuration file

    #
 sysname AC
#
 vlan batch 100
#
dhcp enable
#
interface Vlanif100
 ip address 10.23.100.1 255.255.255.0
 dhcp select interface
#
interface GigabitEthernet1/0/1
 port link-type trunk
 undo port trunk allow-pass vlan 1
 port trunk allow-pass vlan 100
#
capwap source interface vlanif100
#
wlan
 security-profile name mesh-sec
  security wpa2 psk pass-phrase %^%#WXq~51G1^G;~|`C\G$v-`XoiIe4z$CNAM#@TeN^+%^%#
 aes
 mesh-whitelist-profile name mesh-list
  peer-ap mac 60de-4474-9640
  peer-ap mac 60de-4476-e360
  peer-ap mac dcd2-fcf6-76a0
 mesh-profile name mesh-net
  security-profile mesh-sec
  mesh-id mesh-net
  link-aging-time 30
 regulatory-domain-profile name domain1
 ap-system-profile name mesh-sys
  mesh-role mesh-portal
 wired-port-profile name wired-port
  vlan tagged 101
 ap-group name mesh-mp
  wired-port-profile wired-port gigabitethernet 0
  regulatory-domain-profile domain1
  radio 1 
   mesh-profile mesh-net  
   mesh-whitelist-profile mesh-list   
   channel 40mhz-plus 157    
   coverage distance 4  
 ap-group name mesh-mpp
  ap-system-profile mesh-sys
  wired-port-profile wired-port gigabitethernet 0
  regulatory-domain-profile domain1
  radio 1   
   mesh-profile mesh-net  
   mesh-whitelist-profile mesh-list 
   channel 40mhz-plus 157  
   coverage distance 4 
 ap-id 1 type-id 19 ap-mac 60de-4474-9640 ap-sn 210235554710CB000042            
  ap-name AP_1                                                                  
  ap-group mesh-mpp 
 ap-id 2 type-id 19 ap-mac 60de-4476-e360 ap-sn 210235557610DB000046            
  ap-name AP_2                                                                  
  ap-group mesh-mp 
 ap-id 3 type-id 19 ap-mac dcd2-fcf6-76a0 ap-sn 210235419610D2000097            
  ap-name AP_3                                                                  
  ap-group mesh-mp 
#
return
Parent Topic: Typical WLAN-AC Configuration (Applicable to V200R009 and Later Versions)
Copyright © Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd.
Copyright © Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd.
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