How To Set Up A Workgroup

Objective

A Wireless Access Point (WAP) is a networking device that allows wireless-capable devices to connect to a wired network. Instead of using wires and cables to connect every figurer or device in the network, installing WAPs is a more convenient, more secure, and cost-efficient alternative.

Setting upward a wireless network provides a lot of advantages and benefits for you and your small business.

It is more convenient to access.
It is less complicated to add new users in the network.
It gives users more flexibility to stay online even when moving from 1 area in the office to some other.
Invitee users can have Internet access by just using a password.
Wireless network protection tin be set up fifty-fifty if the network is visible to the public by configuring maximum wireless security.
Segmentation of users, such as guests and employees, is possible by creating Virtual Local Expanse Networks (VLANs) to protect your network resources and assets.

There are different purposes of setting up a wireless network using a WAP. With a WAP, y'all tin do the post-obit:

Extend the signal range and forcefulness of your wireless network to provide complete wireless coverage and get rid of dead spots particularly in larger office spaces or buildings.
Accommodate wireless devices inside a wired network.
Configure the settings of your wireless admission points in one device.

This article aims to prove you the different types of wireless network setups and their uses.

Applicative Devices | Firmware Version

WAP121 | i.0.6.5 (Download latest)
WAP131 | one.0.2.8 (Download latest)
WAP150 | 1.0.1.7 (Download latest)
WAP321 | i.0.vi.5 (Download latest)
WAP351 | 1.0.2.8 (Download latest)
WAP361 | one.0.one.seven (Download latest)
WAP371 | 1.3.0.3 (Download latest)
WAP551 | 1.two.1.3 (Download latest)
WAP561 | ane.2.1.3 (Download latest)
WAP571 | 1.0.0.17 (Download latest)
WAP571E | one.0.0.17 (Download latest)

Ready a Wireless Network using a WAP

Listed below are unlike types of wireless network setup. Click on whatever one of the links depending on your network preference:

Adding a wireless network to an existing wired network
Connecting multiple access points together through Wireless Distribution System (WDS)
Configuring clustering of Wireless Admission Points
Configuring Workgroup Span

1. Adding a wireless network to an existing wired network

Calculation a WAP to your existing wired network is useful to suit those devices that are only capable of wireless connexion. It is like creating another network only for wireless devices but yet be a office of your existing wired network.

Adding a WAP in the existing network is like joining two networks together to grade a single network for both wired and wireless devices such every bit shown in the diagram below.

To acquire how to add a wireless network to an existing wired network, click here.

2. Connecting multiple admission points together through Wireless Distribution System (WDS)

WDS lets you connect multiple access points together. WDS allows the connected access points to communicate with each other via wireless connection. This characteristic enables clients who roam to have a seamless feel. This makes it easier to manage multiple wireless networks as well every bit reduces the amount of cables required to connect the networks.

The WAP can deed every bit a single indicate-to-point manner access betoken, point-to-multipoint bridge, or as a repeater. On a repeater mode, a WAP can plant a connection between other access points that are far autonomously. It will simply deed as a wireless extender. Wireless clients can connect to this repeater. A WDS role system can exist compared similar to the role of the repeater.

In the example diagram above, a WDS connexion is configured between the WAP121 and the WAP321 Admission Points.

Guidelines in configuring WDS:

1. WDS works simply with specific pairs of Cisco WAP devices. The pairs are as listed beneath.

WAP121 with WAP321
WAP131 with WAP351
WAP150 with WAP361
WAP551 with WAP561
Multiple WAP371
Multiple WAP571
Multiple WAP571E

2. You tin can have simply one WDS link between any pair of these devices. That is, a remote Media Access Control (MAC) address may appear only in one case on the WDS page for a particular WAP.

three. The devices should have the same settings for radio, IEEE 802.11 manner, Channel Bandwidth, and Aqueduct.

iv. Channel selection should exist specified and not prepare to Auto.

To learn how to configure WDS on your WAP, click any of the links below depending on the device you are using:

WAP121, WAP321, WAP371, WAP551, and WAP561
WAP131, WAP351, WAP150, and WAP361
WAP571 and WAP571E

three. Configuring clustering of Wireless Access Points

Clustering is when multiple WAPs are joined together in the same network. This technology is avant-garde intelligence that allows them to work together dynamically and simplifies wireless networking. You lot volition be able to configure and manage a clustered wireless network every bit a single entity, and without having to configure and reconfigure the settings in each access point separately. Up to ten WAPs can be clustered in a wireless network.

The WAP acts as a transmitter and receiver of Wireless Local Surface area Network (WLAN) radio signals, providing a larger wireless range besides every bit the power to support more clients on a network.

Benefits of clustering Wireless Access Points:

Saves the cost of a wireless controller.
Reduces operations costs by saving hours of (internal or outsourced) technical staff time.
Increases security.
Increases productivity past improving roaming.
Increases productivity by improving application operation.

Guidelines in configuring a cluster through Single Point Setup:

You lot can edit the Single Betoken Setup settings only when Single Betoken Setup is disabled.
The cluster name is not sent to other WAPs that vest to a cluster. You must configure the same proper noun on each device that is a member of the cluster.
The cluster proper noun must be unique for each Unmarried Indicate Setup that y'all configure on the network.
Single Point Setup works just with WAPs that are using the same type of IP addressing. Devices will not cluster if IP versions are not similar.
You cannot enable Single Bespeak Setup if Wireless Distribution Organisation (WDS) is enabled.

To larn how to configure clustering of WAPs, click here.

4. Configuring Workgroup Span

The WorkGroup Span characteristic enables the Wireless Access Bespeak (WAP) to bridge traffic between a remote client and the wireless Local Area Network (LAN) that is connected with the WorkGroup Span Fashion. The WAP device associated with the remote interface is known as an admission point interface, while the WAP device associated with the wireless LAN is known every bit an infrastructure interface. The WorkGroup Bridge lets devices that only have wired connections connect to a wireless network. WorkGroup Bridge Mode is recommended as an alternative when the Wireless Distribution System (WDS) feature is unavailable.

The topology above illustrates a sample WorkGroup Bridge model. Wired devices are tethered to a switch, which connects to the LAN interface of the WAP. The WAP acts every bit an access bespeak interface, connects to the infrastructure interface.

To learn how to configure Workgroup Bridge mode, click here.