Difference in configuration between WLC and AP switchport config

[Iloveyou]

In the configuration:

WLC to switch: switchport configuration has native vlan and trunk.

AP to switch: switchport configuration has access vlan, no trunk

Can someone explain to me why switchport configuration of the AP has no trunk?

How does the WLC and AP communicate with each other?

[Mark Elsen]

 - If the AP is in local mode , it uses CAPWAP protocol to communicate with the controller which also handles user traffic and the switchport being in access mode is then sufficient ; Flex Connect mode  allows data traffic to be switched locally and not go back to the controller.  It basically causes the AP to behave like an autonomous AP, but be managed by the WLC ; then the AP may need trunk settings on the connected switchport in order to serve the different WLANs.

 M.

[Iloveyou]

Tank you.

so capwap only use layer 2 to communicate?

[Mark Elsen]

                                >....so capwap only use layer 2 to communicate?
 No because it is IP based (too) , but because it only needs a single link with the controller you don't need a trunk , 

 M.

[Rasika Nayanajith]

AP encapsulate all traffic into CAPWAP (UDP 5246 & 5247) & sending to WLC. In that way AP does not need to be aware of what vlan wireless traffic get into (as everything handle at the WLC). Hence it is configured as Access vlan and typically AP management on its own vlan.

HTH
Rasika
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