A wireless distribution system (WDS), or wireless bridge, allows you to connect wireless access points to expand your wireless network. It also allows for multiple sites to join networks without a wired backbone of switches. This feature requires you to turn on virtual access points to allow multiple service set networks on one access point.
The WAC510 wireless access point supports point-to-point set up, allowing two segments of a local area network (LAN) to wirelessly join together. These segments must operate on the same network sub-division (subnet).
The WAC510, WAC540, WAX610, and WAX610Y wireless access points also support point-to-multi-point configuration. This allows one base access point to connect to four remote access points independently. Again, the access points must operate on the same network subnet.
You must meet the following requirements to set up a point-to-multipoint configuration:
- You must know the MAC address of each access point in the bridge network. The 2.4Ghz and 5Ghz radios have unique MAC addresses.
- You can use either the 2.4 GHz band or the 5 GHz band for the wireless bridge, but the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands cannot be bridged together.
- Each access point must use the same SSID, channel, authentication mode, and security settings.
- Each access point must be set to operate in the same LAN IP subnet range.
- If you are using DHCP, all your access points must be set to automatically obtain an IP address.
To set up a wireless bridge:
- On a computer or mobile device that is connected to your wireless access point, open a web browser.
- Enter your wireless access point’s IP address in the address bar of your browser and press Enter.
- Sign in with your user name and password.
The default user name is admin. The default password is password. If you added this device to an Insight location, use the admin password for the location instead.
- Select Management.
- On the left, select Configuration > Wireless > Basic > Wireless Settings.
- Select a channel in the Channel dropdown list and click Apply.
- On the left, select Configuration > Wireless Bridge.
- Expand one of the WDS profiles.
- Enable your virtual access point, or VAP.
- Select the Band that the wireless bridge is operating on:
- On the WAC505 and WAC510, choose either 2.4Ghz or 5Ghz.
- On the WAC540, choose 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz High, or 5 GHz Low.
- Set a Wireless Network Name (SSID).
- Enter the Remote MAC address in 00-00-00-00-00-00 format.
- When you are configuring the base access point, this is the Local MAC address of the remote access point.
- When you are configuring the remote access point, this is the Local MAC address of the base access point.
- Under Authentication, choose WPA2 Personal.
Data Encryption is set automatically based on your Network Authentication selection. - Enter a Passphrase and click Apply.
The access point reboots and the settings are applied. - Repeat this process for the other access points that you want to add to the wireless bridge.
- In a wireless point-to-point bridge, you only need to use one profile on each of the access points.
- In a wireless point to multi-point bridge, use one profile per remote access point and repeat Steps 1-14 on the base access point for each remote access point (up to four total).
The wireless bridge forms. Each segment of your local network can now communicate with the others.