Point-To-Multipoint Bridging; Mesh Network - Cisco Aironet 1520 Series Manual

Point-to-Multipoint Bridging

The access points can be used as a RAP to connect multiple remote MAPs with their associated wired
networks (see Figure 4). By default this capability is turned-off for all access points. To support
Ethernet bridging, you must enable bridging on the controller for each access point.
Wireless client access can be provided over the bridging link; however, if bridging between tall
buildings, the 2.4-Ghz wireless coverage area may be limited and possibly not suitable for direct
wireless client access.
Figure 4

Mesh Network

The access points are typically deployed in a mesh network configuration. In a typical mesh
deployment, one or more RAPs have a wired network connection through a switch to a controller. Other
remote MAPs without wired network connections use the backhaul feature to optimally link to a RAP
that is connected to the wired network. In the mesh network, the links between the access points are
referred to as the backhaul links.
Intelligent wireless routing is provided by the patent-pending Adaptive Wireless Path protocol (AWPP).
This enables each MAP to identify its neighbors and intelligently choose the optimal path to the RAP
with the wired network connection by calculating the cost of each path in terms of signal strength and
the number of hops required to get to a controller.
Overview
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Access Point Point to Multipoint Bridging Example
OL-12632-01