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- Root Access Points or Roof-top Access Points (RAPs) are connected to the wired network and
serves as the root or gateway to the wired network. RAPs have a wired connection to a Cisco
WLAN controller. They use backhaul wireless interface to communicate with neighboring MAPs
/ PAPs. RAPs are the parent node that connect a bridged or mesh network to the wired network,
hence there can only be one RAP for any bridged or mesh network segment.
- Mesh Access Points (MAPs) or Pole-top Access Points (PAPs) are remote access points that do
not have wired connection to a Cisco WLAN controller – they are completely wireless!
If a MAP/PAP is connected to the wired network, it will try to become a RAP upon boot up.
If a RAP loses its wired network connection, it will attempt to become a MAP/PAP and will
search for and connect to a RAP. A MAP/PAP may also have a wired connection to another
remote network segment to extend a local network by bridging the network segments.
- The Cisco Aironet series lightweight access points can operate in either RAP or MAP/PAP mode
(or role).
- Cisco LWAPP-enabled mesh access points must be configured, monitored, and operated through
a Cisco WLAN Controller deployed in the Cisco Mesh Networking Solution.
- Wireless mesh connections between access points are formed with radio to provide many
possible paths from a single node to other nodes. The paths through a mesh network can change
in response to traffic loads, radio conditions, and traffic prioritization.
WLAN
Controller
Switch RAP
(Mesh Controller)
MAP
MAP
Figure 25-7: Large Meshed Outdoor Deployment
- Every Mesh AP runs the Adaptive Wireless Path Protocol (AWPP), a new Cisco-proprietary
protocol designed specifically for wireless mesh networks. Mesh APs run AWPP continuously to
identify and communicate among them to determine and establish the best and alternate paths
back to the wired network via the RAP, results in self-configuring and self-healing mesh
networks that provide consistent coverage upon topology changes or other conditions that
weaken the signal strength. AWPP choose the paths back to the wired network by considering all
the relevant wireless network elements for each path, eg: interference, signal strength, and the
number of hops required to get to a WLAN controller.
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MAP
MAP
MAP
MAP
WLAN
Controller
RAP Switch
(Mesh Controller)
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