How-To WDS with SMCWEBS-N. 3. Key configuration options for WDS on SMCWEBS-N 4. How to configure the WDS connection

Transcription

1 1. Introduction 2. WDS Operation Modes 3. Key configuration options for WDS on SMCWEBS-N 4. How to configure the WDS connection

2 2/9 1. Introduction A Wireless Distribution System (WDS) is a system that enables the wireless interconnection of access points in an IEEE network. The radio interface of the SMCWEBS-N can be configured to operate in a mode that allows it to forward traffic directly to other Wireless Access Points/ Repeaters or Routers. This feature can be used to extend the range of the wireless network to reach remote clients, or to link isolated network segments to an Internet connection. 2. SMCWEBS-N Operation Modes for WDS Bridge: Operates as a standard bridge that forwards traffic between WDS links (links that connect to other units in Repeater or Lazy mode). The MAC addresses of WDS peers must be configured on the Wireless-N Access Points/ Repeaters. Basically this mode is used when you have a SMCWEBS-N with more than one WDS link to other AP/Repeaters. IMPORTANT: In this mode wireless clients will not be able to connect to the SMCWEBS-N directly. Repeater: Operates as a wireless repeater, extending the range for remote wireless clients and connecting them to an AP connected to the wired network. The MAC addresses of WDS peers must be configured on the Wireless-N Access Point/Repeater. Lazy: Operates in an automatic mode that detects and learns WDS peer addresses from received WDS packets, without the need to configure a MAC address list. This feature allows the Wireless-N Access Point/Repeater to associate with other Wireless-N Access Point/Repeaters in the network and use their WDS MAC address list. Lazy mode requires one other Wireless-N Access Point/Repeater within the wireless network that is configured in Bridge or Repeater mode, and has a configured MAC address list. The following picture shows an example of the different operation modes.

3 3/9 Figure 1 SMCWEBS-N (1) will connect to the rest of SMCWEBS-N but it will not accept wireless clients directly. This device will need the MAC addresses of devices (1), (2) and (3). SMCWEBS-N (2) will connect to SMCWEBS-N (1) and at the same time will provide wireless connectivity to wireless clients (laptops, PDAs, etc). In SMCWEBS-N (2) it will be needed to enter the MAC address of the SMCWEBS-N (1). SMCWEBS-N (3) & (4) will connect to SMCWEBS-N (1) without need of configuring any MAC address. They will also provide connectivity to wireless devices (laptops, PDAs, etc).

4 4/9 3. Key configuration points for WDS on SMCWEBS-N Up to four WDS links can be specified for each unit in the WDS network. All units in a WDS wireless network must be configured with the same SSID and use the same radio channel. Also each WDS link must be configured with the same encryption key. When configuring WDS links, it is recommended to set up fixed IP addresses for all relevant Access Points/ Repeaters/ Routers. When using WDS Lazy mode in the network, at least one unit must be set to Bridge or Repeater mode. In the example of Figure 1, in the Bridge and Repeater devices it will be necessary to manually enter the MAC addresses of the devices connected to them. The two units in Lazy mode will not need this information to be entered manually. It will be received automatically from the Bridge or Repeater device. When connecting 2 units of SMCWEBS-N, as in the example of the figure 2 below, the following different combinations of operation modes will work to establish a WDS link. SMCWEBS-N 1 SMCWEBS-N 2 Bridge Lazy, Repeater, Bridge (will not accept wireless clients) Repeater Lazy, Repeater, Bridge Lazy Repeater, Bridge Figure 2

5 5/9 When connecting 1 unit of SMCWEBS-N to another SMC Router/AP, as in the example of the figure 3 below, the following different combinations of operation modes will work in order to establish a WDS link. SMCWEBS-N Bridge (will not accept wireless clients) Lazy Repeater Another SMC Routers/AP s SMCWBR14S-N3 (Lazy, Repeater) SMCWBR14S-N4 (Lazy, Repeater) SMCWBR14-3GN (Lazy, Repeater) SMCWBR14S-N3 (Bridge, Repeater) SMCWBR14S-N4 (Bridge, Repeater) SMCWBR14-3GN (Bridge, Repeater) SMCWBR14S-N3 (Bridge, Lazy, Repeater) SMCWBR14S-N4 (Bridge, Lazy, Repeater) SMCWBR14-3GN (Bridge, Lazy, Repeater) Figure 3

6 6/9 4. How to configure the WDS connection 10 Steps We will configure the WDS settings to establish a connection between 2 SMCWEBS-N units as in the Figure 3. One of them will be set-up in Bridge mode and the other one in Lazy mode. Figure 3 SMCWEBS-N 1 Setup 1. Login to the web UI of device 1 and go to the menu Wireless Settings. In the Basic menu, set up the SSID and Frequency Channel for your wireless network. These must be the same for all WDS units.

7 7/9 2. In the Wireless Settings select WDS submenu to configure the WDS link. 3. Set the WDS Mode to Bridge. 4. Set the radio media coding. It should be the same for all WDS units. (CCK corresponds to 11b, OFDM corresponds to 11g, and HTMIX corresponds to 11n). 5. Set the encryption type and key. This must be the same for all WDS units. 6. Enter the MAC address of the SMCWEBS-N unit 2.

8 8/9 Note. The MAC Address of your device can be found under the submenu Wireless Settings/Basic BSSID (Hex-Format: xx-xx-xx-xx-xx-xx or xx:xx:xx:xx:xx:xx). SMCWEBS-N 2 Setup 7. Login to the web UI of device 2 and go to the menu Wireless Settings. In the Basic menu, set up the same SSID and Frequency Channel for your wireless network as in device 1.

9 9/9 8. Set the WDS mode to Lazy. 9. Set the radio media coding. (It should be the same for all WDS units) 10. Set the WDS encryption settings (Type & Key), same as device 1. After applying the changes in both devices the WDS link should be up and ready to use.