Re: AP431W multifunction AP

On 17/05/2010 18:37, Mike Easter wrote:
Bob wrote:
Mike Easter wrote:

Exercise 2: I want to attach the device via the ethernet port (WAN or
LAN) of a router2. I want the router2 to be the heart of a sub-network.
The AP (or Bridge) will be communicating wirelessly to the AP (or
router1 integrated AP) of the other network, and the computers connected
to the router2 wired or wirelessly will be getting their NAT IPs from
router2.
From Manual:-
WDS (Bridge)
The WDS mode converts the Access Point to a wireless bridge. It
bridges the network clients from physically separate LANs into one
virtual LAN. You will need to use ap431w access points throughout your
network. This mode will not work if you try to use them with any other
brand of access point.

I don't 'accept' that statement about WDS not working except between two
431s. I don't understand why that would be (with my limited networking
tech level of understanding) and I don't know what would be so 'unique'
about a wireless signal that would make an airlink AP431W not be able to
talk to an airlink AP421W, for example, or any of a number of other
a/ps, such as an Airlink AR325W; to say nothing of some other brands
which might have the same wireless chipsets and other characteristics.


The problem is that WDS is not a "standard" and is not necessarily implemented the same way in devices. I can't be bothered to trawl all the manufacturers but for instance take belkin:-
"Note: The WDS feature is not completely specified in IEEE or WiFi standards. Therefore interoperability between 802.11 products of different Vendors is not guaranteed.We can only recommend and advise on setting up a Wireless Bridge between the Belkin Devices listed on the following page. Please take care to note the Version of the Hardware as well as the Model Number as this may change the nature of the devices compatibility with WDS. The WPA encryption type is not supported over a Wireless Bridge and in such instances WEP is the compatible encryption type."
<http://www.belkin.com/uk/old-support/tech/f5d8230/a%20guide%20to%20wireless%20bridging%20(wds).pdf>
.

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