Backhaul Client Access will Blackhole Client

[paulmcdougall]

I have an interesting observation that I would like community feedback on.

Use-case: Cisco 5520 WLC + 1562E RAP + Locally switched SSID

According to Cisco design guide, enabling the global option "Backhaul Client Access" on WLC will allow wireless clients association over the 5-GHz backhaul radio.

If RAP is configured as Bridge only (ie: not Flex+Bridge) then client will associate to the backhaul channel and not be able to locally switch because there are no SSID to VLAN mappings.  Essentially the client will blackhole.

Questions, Comments??

[Scott Fella]

What backhaul client means, is that you have an SSID that is available on the RAP.  Now this SSID would allow client access on 2.4GHz if your backhaul is using 5GHz.  Enabling backhaul client access will allow the 5GHz on that specific SSID to access the wireless, thus now you have both bands allowing client access.  Client access doesn't mean to use the backhaul SSID.

[paulmcdougall]

Hi Scott I don't think I explained myself well.

In the above scenario ie: RAP/MAP AP Mode: Bridge, how can the SSID locally switch?  You would need to configure the RAP/MAP as AP Mode: Flex+Bridge for this to occur.  This way when client connects to the Flexconnect SSID, traffic will switch to a locally configured VLAN.  Unless of course client connects to a centrally switched SSID which uses CAPWAP tunnel between WAP & WLC.

My original question therefore is how does a client associate to a locally switched SSID on a RAP/MAP that has AP Mode Bridge as opposed to Flex+ Bridge?

Cheers