Distribution System Ports - Cisco 2100 Series Configuration Manual

Overview of Ports and Interfaces

Distribution System Ports

A distribution system port connects the controller to a neighbor switch and serves as the data path
between these two devices.
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Cisco Wireless LAN Controller Configuration Guide
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Cisco 2100 series controllers have eight 10/100 copper Ethernet distribution system ports through
which the controller can support up to 6, 12, or 25 access points. Two of these ports (7 and 8) are
power-over-Ethernet (PoE) enabled and can be used to provide power directly to access points that
are connected to these ports.
All client connections to the 2100 series controllers are limited to the 10/100 Ethernet uplink
Note
port connection between the switch and the controller, even though their connection speeds
might be higher. The exception is for access points running in local hybrid-REAP mode
because this traffic is switched at the access point level and not forwarded back to the
controller.
Cisco 4402 controllers have two Gigabit Ethernet distribution system ports, each of which is capable
of managing up to 48 access points. However, Cisco recommends no more than 25 access points per
port due to bandwidth constraints. The 4402-25 and 4402-50 models allow a total of 25 or 50 access
points to join the controller.
Cisco 4404 controllers have four Gigabit Ethernet distribution system ports, each of which is
capable of managing up to 48 access points. However, Cisco recommends no more than 25 access
points per port due to bandwidth constraints. The 4404-25, 4404-50, and 4404-100 models allow a
total of 25, 50, or 100 access points to join the controller.
The Gigabit Ethernet ports on the 4402 and 4404 controllers accept these SX/LC/T small
form-factor plug-in (SFP) modules:
- 1000BASE-SX SFP modules, which provide a 1000-Mbps wired connection to a network
through an 850nM (SX) fiber-optic link using an LC physical connector
- 1000BASE-LX SFP modules, which provide a 1000-Mbps wired connection to a network
through a 1300nM (LX/LH) fiber-optic link using an LC physical connector
- 1000BASE-T SFP modules, which provide a 1000-Mbps wired connection to a network
through a copper link using an RJ-45 physical connector
The Cisco Catalyst 6500 Series Switch Wireless Services Module (WiSM) and the Cisco 7600
Series Router Wireless Services Module (WiSM) have eight internal Gigabit Ethernet distribution
system ports (ports 1 through 8) that connect the switch or router and the integrated controller. These
internal ports are located on the backplane of the switch or router and are not visible on the front
panel. Through these ports, the controller can support up to 300 access points.
The controller network module within the Cisco 28/37/38xx Series Integrated Services Router can
support up to 6, 8, 12, or 25 access points (and up to 256, 256, 350, or 350 clients, respectively),
depending on the version of the network module. The network module supports these access points
through a Fast Ethernet distribution system port (on the NM-AIR-WLC6-K9 6-access-point version)
or a Gigabit Ethernet distribution system port (on the 8-, 12-, and 25-access-point versions and on
the NME-AIR-WLC6-K9 6-access-point version) that connects the router and the integrated
controller. This port is located on the router backplane and is not visible on the front panel. The Fast
Ethernet port operates at speeds up to 100 Mbps, and the Gigabit Ethernet port operates at speeds
up to 1 Gbps.
Chapter 3 Configuring Ports and Interfaces
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