2 remote offices using the same management network

[GTEK.Global.IT]

Hi there,

I have an interesting setup here and I'll be very thankful if you give me some advises. We have 2 remote offices, connected with fiber. Connection is point to point and there is OSPF running, so both sites see each other.

So far so good. I want to have the same management network on both sites 10.10.10.0/24. Is that possible?

There is HSRP running in Office1 for 2 core switches: 10.10.10.2, 10.10.10.3, standby 10.10.10.1;

I tried to create HSRP in Office2 for another 2 core switches:10.10.10.4 10.10.10.5, standby 10.10.10.1, but it's not working.

It works locally for each site. Basically overlapping networks do not work, only unique ones for sites (this way everything works as expected).

If the connection was not point-to-point and if there were no VLAN interfaces configured in Office2, then i could use the HSRP standby in office 1 and it will work, but if the fiber connection goes down I won't have gateway (respectively backup ISP won't work).

I definitely need to use the same Management network, because i need to install Access points in Office2, and the WLC controller is in Office 2.

Thank you in advance!

Alex

[GTEK.Global.IT]

Attached is the setup i have.

Left is Office1, Right is Office2.

Your help is much appreciated. 

Alex

[johnd2310]

HI,

There is no need to use the same management network  in both sites. You ca use different management networks and  the wireless will work fine. If the WLC and the access points are in different subnets, you can use dhcp to provide ip address of WLC via option 43 or DNS

Thanks

John

[GTEK.Global.IT]

Hi John,

I used option 43 and managed to register the APs on the remote site.

Now comes the other question. When we have L3 connectivity between the sites how the VLAN information is propagated through it? We have 3 SSIDs on different VLANs in Office1. Since It's not a trunk port, how VLAN tags will pass through the point-to-point fiber link?

Do we have to buy a second wireless controller?

Even if we create local networks in Office 2, will it work, when the WLC is on the remote site?

Thanks,

Alex

[GTEK.Global.IT]

I've read about flex connect....so in theory it should work for us. Will have to test it though.

[johnd2310 · Accepted solution]

Hi,

You do not need a second controller. The 3 SSIDs will be tunneled via capwap to the controller. If you would like the traffic to break out at the remote site, then you can use flex connect.

Thanks

John 

[Reza Sharifi]

Hi Alex,

If I understand your design correctly, the gateway for both subnets (10.0.100.0 and 10.0.200.0) are located on the left side of your drawing. We call it office-1 and there is no gateway in office-2 (right side). If this is the case, all you need is to create a new vlan for management (10.10.10.0/24) and add it to all your devices, trunk it between office-1 and 2 and a default gateway for it on office-1 equipment. This is if you are looking for an in-band management solution  If you are looking for an out-of-band management solution, it gets a title more complicated but not sure exactly what you are looking for.

HTH