Configuring WDS (Wireless Distribution System)

Contains proprietary information

Written by: Asaf Levi

Configuring WDS

1.1. Basic WDS configuration

The Wireless Distribution System (WDS) allows you to bridge wireless traffic between access points. It

is actually somewhat like connecting a "wireless cable" between two Edges

traffic can easily pass between them.

Configuring a WDS link is similar to creating a VLAN.

Prerequisite

At least 2 Edge/Safe@office wireless/wirelessDSL devices

If we’ll use Safe@Office we need “

WDS on .

On all devices that participate in the WDS network make sure Wlan is

Under Network�My Network �WLAN

Reference for terms in this document:

Master: The device that through it internet connection is provided

Slave: The “repeater”, the device that connect to the

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WDS (Wireless Distribution System)

Basic WDS configuration


somewhat like connecting a "wireless cable" between two Edges/Safe@office

traffic can easily pass between them.

imilar to creating a VLAN.

At least 2 Edge/Safe@office wireless/wirelessDSL devices

“POWER PACK” add-on on all devices that we want to configure

that participate in the WDS network make sure Wlan is enabled.

WLAN change “Channel” from “automatic” to Static.

Reference for terms in this document:

through it internet connection is provided.

the device that connect to the Master via WDS connection.

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System)


/Safe@office, over which

that we want to configure

Static.



Master WDS :

Under Network�My Network we'll click the "Add Network"

type to "Wireless Distribution System".

We’ll add “Peer WLAN MAC Address” of the

� “My Computer” �“WLAN”).

WDS supports WEP encryption or none between the two

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My Network we'll click the "Add Network" button; we'll choose a name and set the

reless Distribution System".

add “Peer WLAN MAC Address” of the slave device (we’ll find the Mac address under “Reports”

WDS supports WEP encryption or none between the two or more devices.

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we'll choose a name and set the

address under “Reports”



Slave configuration (Repeater WDS )

Add Bridge :

Under Network�My Network we'll click the “Add Bridge” .

The configuration needs to be:

Type “Network Name”. (Any name)

In the “Firewall between Members”

decide whether you want to activate a firewall policy between the bridge members.

(ie:LAN,DMZ,WLAN)

In the “IP Address” field we’ll need to type the same subnet we type

(ex: 192.168.50.2/255.255.255.0)

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WDS ) :

My Network we'll click the “Add Bridge” .

(Any name)

Members” field choose “Enabled or disabled”, this feature will enable you to

decide whether you want to activate a firewall policy between the bridge members.

we’ll need to type the same subnet we typed at the Master device

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”, this feature will enable you to

device.



Add WDS Network :

Under Network�My Network click the "Add Network" button, we'll choose the same name that we gave

to the Master WDS network and set the type to "Wireless Distribution System". We’ll add “Peer WLAN

MAC Address” of the Master edge.

In “Wireless Settings” area “Security”

device.

add the WDS to the bridge network

wireless clients through the WDS link.

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My Network click the "Add Network" button, we'll choose the same name that we gave

and set the type to "Wireless Distribution System". We’ll add “Peer WLAN

edge.

Security” configure the exact configuration that was configured at the

k under “assign to bridge to allow for internet traffic to reach the

link.

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My Network click the "Add Network" button, we'll choose the same name that we gave

and set the type to "Wireless Distribution System". We’ll add “Peer WLAN

that was configured at the Master

to allow for internet traffic to reach the



Checking connection between Master and

Under “Reports” � “My Computer

Slave. We’ll need to see that we have

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Checking connection between Master and Slave:

“My Computers” we’ll see “WDS Peer” and the Mac address of the Master or the

need to see that we have Signal between the peers.

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address of the Master or the



Adding Network WAN to Bridge:

Under Network � Internet �Primary

In the “Default Gateway “field enter

address at “Primary DNS Server”. (Ie: 192.168.50.1)

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Bridge:

Primary, under “Connection Type” choose “Bridged”.

enter the ip address of the Master device WDS network and the same ip

(Ie: 192.168.50.1)

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and the same ip



1.2. Wireless roaming between two Edge/Safe@office devices

The simplest WDS setup is needed when you want to deliver WLAN connectivity over an

than a single Edge/Safe@office can support, and you do not want to physicall

Edge/safe@office devices with Ethernet cables. In this setup each of the boxes will have a wireless

network (WLAN or any other VAP) bridged to a WDS lin

spoofing. This way when one the WAN connections are down, traffic can still reach the internet through

the WDS and the WAN connection of the other Edge

only include two Edge/Safe@office devices

Edge/Safe@office devices with WDS.

Figure 1 - Simple wireless roaming using WDS

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reless roaming between two Edge/Safe@office devices

The simplest WDS setup is needed when you want to deliver WLAN connectivity over an

can support, and you do not want to physically connect two

with Ethernet cables. In this setup each of the boxes will have a wireless

network (WLAN or any other VAP) bridged to a WDS link. The WDS will be configured

. This way when one the WAN connections are down, traffic can still reach the internet through

the WDS and the WAN connection of the other Edge/safe@office. Of course, this setup does no

ude two Edge/Safe@office devices , but rather can be enlarged by connecting other

with WDS.

Simple wireless roaming using WDS

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The simplest WDS setup is needed when you want to deliver WLAN connectivity over an area, larger

y connect two

with Ethernet cables. In this setup each of the boxes will have a wireless

k. The WDS will be configured with no anti-

. This way when one the WAN connections are down, traffic can still reach the internet through

. Of course, this setup does not have to

, but rather can be enlarged by connecting other



1.3. WDS rings and WDS mesh

If we want to cover a large area with a

internet connections, both for load balancing between the stations and for redundancy, and we would like

to add as much redundancy as possible so that if a single link fails, there will still be

other Edges. This would of course require not only WDS links, but also using STP over the WDS links.

Edge/Safe@office devices support up to 4 APs with 3 VAPs and the main wireless network and up to a

total of 8 wireless networks including the VAPs and the WDS links. This means that with 2 VAPs, Edges

still support 6 WDS links.

Figure 2 - WDS ring with 2 VAPs

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WDS rings and WDS mesh

If we want to cover a large area with a large number of appliances, we would like to have a number of


to add as much redundancy as possible so that if a single link fails, there will still be other links through


support up to 4 APs with 3 VAPs and the main wireless network and up to a


WDS ring with 2 VAPs

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large number of appliances, we would like to have a number of


other links through


support up to 4 APs with 3 VAPs and the main wireless network and up to a


Documents

Configuring WDS (Wireless Distribution System)