This MIB is intended to be implemented on all those
devices operating as Central controllers, that
terminate the Light Weight Access Point Protocol
tunnel from Cisco Light-weight LWAPP Access Points.
Information provided by this MIB is for CCX related
features as specified in the CCX specifications.
This MIB covers roaming RF parameters for CCX
clients.
The relationship between CC and the LWAPP APs
can be depicted as follows:
+......+ +......+ +......+
+ + + + + +
+ CC + + CC + + CC +
+ + + + + +
+......+ +......+ +......+
.. . .
.. . .
. . . .
. . . .
. . . .
. . . .
+......+ +......+ +......+ +......+
+ + + + + + + +
+ AP + + AP + + AP + + AP +
+ + + + + + + +
+......+ +......+ +......+ +......+
. . .
. . . .
. . . .
. . . .
. . . .
+......+ +......+ +......+ +......+
+ + + + + + + +
+ MN + + MN + + MN + + MN +
+ + + + + + + +
+......+ +......+ +......+ +......+
The LWAPP tunnel exists between the controller and
the APs. The MNs communicate with the APs through
the protocol defined by the 802.11 standard.
LWAPP APs, upon bootup, discover and join one of the
controllers and the controller pushes the configuration,
that includes the WLAN parameters, to the LWAPP APs.
The APs then encapsulate all the 802.11 frames from
wireless clients inside LWAPP frames and forward
the LWAPP frames to the controller.
GLOSSARY
Access Point ( AP )
An entity that contains an 802.11 medium access
control ( MAC ) and physical layer ( PHY ) interface
and provides access to the distribution services via
the wireless medium for associated clients.
LWAPP APs encapsulate all the 802.11 frames in
LWAPP frames and sends them to the controller to which
it is logically connected.
Basic Service Set ( BSS )
The IEEE 802.11 BSS of an AP comprises of the
stations directly associating with the AP.
Central Controller ( CC )
The central entity that terminates the LWAPP protocol
tunnel from the LWAPP APs. Throughout this MIB,
this entity is also referred to as 'controller'.
Cisco Compatible eXtensions (CCX)
Wireless LAN Access Points (APs) manufactured by Cisco
Systems have features and capabilities beyond those in
related standards (e.g., IEEE 802.11 suite of
standards ,Wi-Fi recommendations by WECA, 802.1X
security suite,etc). A number of features provide
higher performance.For example, Cisco AP transmits a
specific Information Element, which the clients adapt
to for enhanced performance. Similarly, a number of
features are implemented by means of proprietary
Information Elements, which Cisco clients use in
specific ways to carry out tasks above and beyond the
standard. Other examples of feature categories are
roaming and power saving.
Client Roaming
A client may decide to reassociate with another AP for
reasons of its own choosing. The decision of whether
or not to use the information contained in the AP list
is up to the discretion of the implementor, as long as
the roam time requirement is met.
Light Weight Access Point Protocol ( LWAPP )
This is a generic protocol that defines the
communication between the Access Points and the
Central Controller.
Mobile Node ( MN )
A roaming 802.11 wireless device in a wireless
network associated with an access point. Mobile Node
and client are used interchangeably.
REFERENCE
[1] Wireless LAN Medium Access Control ( MAC ) and
Physical Layer ( PHY ) Specifications
[2] Draft-obara-capwap-lwapp-00.txt, IETF Light
Weight Access Point Protocol |