topic Re: Difference between local switching vs central switching in wireles in Wireless

Difference between local switching vs central switching in wireless

palani2010 — Sat, 07 Dec 2024 00:17:54 GMT

Difference between local switching vs central switching in basic explanation

Re: Difference between local switching vs central switching in wireles

Leo Laohoo — Sat, 07 Dec 2024 00:38:28 GMT

Understand FlexConnect on Catalyst 9800 Wireless Controller

Re: Difference between local switching vs central switching in wireles

balaji.bandi — Sat, 07 Dec 2024 00:39:55 GMT

Check this presentation give you both the options and differences :

https://www.ciscolive.com/c/dam/r/ciscolive/global-event/docs/2024/pdf/BRKEWN-2054.pdf

Re: Difference between local switching vs central switching in wireles

Flavio Miranda — Sat, 07 Dec 2024 02:12:41 GMT

@palani2010

Central switching: send client traffic to the WLC

Local switching: dont send the client traffic to the WLC

As simple as that.

Re: Difference between local switching vs central switching in wireles

M02@rt37 — Sat, 07 Dec 2024 09:07:56 GMT

Hello @palani2010

Local switching and central switching are two methods of handling data traffic in wireless networks, primarily determined by how and where the traffic is processed. In local switching, the access point AP directly forwards the client’s data traffic without sending it to a central controller. This is efficient for scenarios where devices need to access resources within the same local network, such as printers, file servers, or streaming services, as it minimizes latency and conserves bandwidth on the backhaul to the central controller. By keeping traffic local, local switching reduces the load on centralized infrastructure, making it ideal for high-bandwidth applications and environments where low latency is critical, like video streaming or voice communication. However, it relies on the AP to enforce security and QoS policies, which may limit centralized visibility and control.

Central switching, on the other hand, routes all data traffic from the AP to a central controller (e.g., WLC) before forwarding it to its final destination. This approach provides centralized management, enabling consistent enforcement of security policies, monitoring, and integration with advanced routing or security mechanisms like VPNs or firewalls. It is often preferred in enterprise networks or guest Wi-Fi setups where traffic must be inspected or routed through specific security appliances. While central switching offers enhanced control and monitoring, it can introduce higher latency and create bottlenecks if the controller is overloaded or the network backhaul is congested. The choice between the two depends on network requirements—local switching suits performance-driven, localized traffic, whereas central switching excels in controlled, security-focused environments.

Re: Difference between local switching vs central switching in wireles

palani2010 — Sat, 07 Dec 2024 15:29:19 GMT

Thank You.

client traffic means both control traffic like central web authentication and data plane traffic like internet access

Re: Difference between local switching vs central switching in wireles

Flavio Miranda — Sat, 07 Dec 2024 15:36:30 GMT

Any traffic orignated by client or sent to the client.

This incluse web auth and internet access.

Re: Difference between local switching vs central switching in wireles

palani2010 — Sat, 07 Dec 2024 15:46:28 GMT

Thank you Falvio.

One quick question, WLC integrated with Radius server for authentication

Local switching - Any traffic originated by client or sent to the client (include web auth and internet access) but it local breakout from location

Central switching - Any traffic originated by client or sent to the client (include web auth and internet access) but it dont use local breakout and traffic should go DC and from there it should DC Wan link .

correct me if i am wrong