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Does APs needs to communicate on Layer2

Gucamole
Level 3
Level 3

We are working on blocking communication within the same VLAN, so two hosts on the same VLAN will not be able to communicate with each other. I know we can do a Layer2 host block via AP but this is more from the switch. 

We have many access points (APs) on a single VLAN. Do the APs need to communicate with each other(layer2)? If so, for what purpose?  Like do APs need to communicate for RF changes, client roaming, broadcast, multicast etc? That's what I am trying to understand. 

Can someone confirm?

3 Replies 3

Mark Elsen
Hall of Fame
Hall of Fame

 

 - If you have a controller then the access points will mainly talk to the controller only ; there are a few cases where AP's may want to communicate with each other such as mentioned in this example : https://community.cisco.com/t5/wireless/ap-communication-during-roaming/td-p/951754

 M.



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Rich R
VIP
VIP

Also when APs do Flexconnect Efficient Image Upgrade the APs fetch the image from a neighbouring AP using TFTP.

I just noticed that you tagged your post with Meraki so that leads to the question: what type of AP (Cisco or Meraki) and if Cisco then what type of WLC and software version?
If Meraki then https://www.cisco.com/c/dam/en/us/td/docs/solutions/CVD/Campus/WhitePaper-Deploying-Cisco-Meraki-Cloud-AP-SDA-2019MAR.pdf says "The APs send untagged frames on the Ethernet trunk to communicate with the cloud,
authentication, and other management infrastructure."  There' nothing specific about AP<->AP but I wouldn't rule it out.  If in doubt open a case with Meraki and let us know what the answer is.

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TAC recommended codes for AireOS WLC's   and   TAC recommended codes for 9800 WLC's
Best Practices for AireOS WLC's,   Best Practices for 9800 WLC's   and   Cisco Wireless compatibility matrix
Check your 9800 WLC config with Wireless Config Analyzer using "show tech wireless" output or "config paging disable" then "show run-config" output on AireOS and use Wireless Debug Analyzer to analyze your WLC client debugs
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Field Notice: FN72424 Later Versions of WiFi 6 APs Fail to Join WLC - Software Upgrade Required
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- Fixed in 8.10.196.0, latest 9800 releases, 8.5.182.12 (8.5.182.13 for 3504) and 8.5.182.109 (IRCM, 8.5.182.111 for 3504)
Field Notice: FN70479 AP Fails to Join or Joins with 1 Radio due to Country Mismatch, RMA needed
Field Notice: FN74383 APs Running 17.12.4/5/6/6a May Run Out of Flash Space Preventing Upgrades
How to avoid boot loop due to corrupted image on Wave 2 and Catalyst 11ax Access Points (CSCvx32806)
Field Notice: FN74035 - Wave2 APs DFS May Not Detect Radar After Channel Availability Check Time
Leo's list of bugs affecting 2800/3800/4800/1560 APs
Default AP console baud rate from 17.12.x is 115200 - introduced by CSCwe88390

Haydn Andrews
VIP Alumni
VIP Alumni

Believe the Meraki will talk AP to AP if you happen to have the same SSID roaming accross different VLANs.

 

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