What is LWAPP?
LWAPP, which stands for LightWeight Access Point Protocol, is a networking protocol that is used in wireless LANs (Local Area Networks) to manage and control access points in a centralized manner. It was developed by the Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF) to simplify the deployment and management of large-scale wireless networks.
The Basic Concept of LWAPP
The basic concept behind LWAPP is to separate the functions of the wireless access points (APs) from the control and management planes. Traditionally, in a standalone AP configuration, the control functions such as authentication, encryption, and traffic management were integrated into the AP itself. However, in a LWAPP-enabled architecture, these functions are offloaded and centralized in a device called a Wireless LAN Controller (WLC).
The LWAPP-enabled APs, also known as LWAPs, act as simple forwarding devices that transmit the wireless traffic from client devices to the WLC. The WLC, on the other hand, is responsible for managing the overall wireless network, including AP configuration, security policies, and radio frequency management.
How to Use LWAPP
To deploy LWAPP in a wireless network, you will typically need the following components:
1. LWAPs: These are the access points that will be managed by the WLC. LWAPs connect wirelessly to client devices and communicate with the WLC over a control channel.
2. WLC: This is the central device that controls and manages the LWAPs. It provides a centralized interface to configure, monitor, and troubleshoot the wireless network. The WLC is usually connected to the wired network and serves as a bridge between the wired and wireless domains.
3. Network Infrastructure: The LWAPs and WLC need to be connected to the existing network infrastructure, which may include switches, routers, and DHCP servers.
Once the LWAPs and WLC are physically connected and powered on, the LWAPP protocol handles the negotiation and establishment of the control channel between the LWAPs and the WLC. This allows the WLC to discover the LWAPs, assign them IP addresses, and push the necessary configuration settings to them.
Once the LWAPs are successfully registered with the WLC, they start forwarding wireless traffic according to the policies and settings configured on the WLC. The WLC continuously monitors the LWAPs and manages their status, allows seamless roaming between APs, and provides centralized security enforcement.
In summary, LWAPP offers a scalable and centralized approach to managing wireless LANs. By separating the control functions from the APs and consolidating them into a central controller, administrators can easily configure and monitor a large number of access points, ensuring efficient and secure wireless connectivity for clients.
Disclaimer: This blog post is for informational purposes only. Always refer to official documentation and consult with networking professionals before implementing LWAPP in your wireless network.
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