Difference between controller based and autonomous AP design

[bschol]

Hello,

I want to clarify something:

I have to make a design for 150 sites, the large sites (40) will be controller based designs.

But for the small sites (110) contains 3 APs, which will not have a controller onsite. (or should it be ??)

Besides the overall management , which features do I miss if it is controller based or standalone APs.

Like CleanAir , etc.

Is there a good document how will explain ??

Thanks in advance,

Bert Schol

[Scott Fella]

You should just use a WLC... for the smaller site you should implement FlexConnect.  This will allow you to control lightweight access point placed in a remote site to a WLC that is located in a different site.

https://supportforums.cisco.com/docs/DOC-24082

http://www.cisco.com/en/US/docs/wireless/controller/7.2/configuration/guide/cg_flexconnect.html

Thanks,

Scott

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[Abhishek Abhishek]

Hello Bert,

As per your query i can suggest you the following solution-

You can use WLC for large sites but for small sites you can use flex-connects.

A FlexConnect access point can learn the controller IP address in one of these ways:

•If the access point has been assigned an IP address from a DHCP server, it can discover a controller through the regular CAPWAP or LWAPP discovery process.

•If the access point has been assigned a static IP address, it can discover a controller through any of the discovery process methods except DHCP option 43. If the access point cannot discover a controller through Layer 3 broadcast, we recommend DNS resolution. With DNS, any access point with a static IP address that knows of a DNS server can find at least one controller.

•If you want the access point to discover a controller from a remote network where CAPWAP or LWAPP discovery mechanisms are not available, you can use priming. This method enables you to specify (through the access point CLI) the controller to which the access point is to connect.

For more information refer to the link-

http://www.cisco.com/en/US/docs/wireless/controller/7.2/configuration/guide/cg.html

Hope this will help you.