Michael McNamara

The release of v3.x software for the Motorola WS5100 and v1.x software for the Motorola RFS7000 finally supports the deployment of Layer 3 Access Ports (APs that could be deployed across a Layer 3 network as opposed to those that can only be deployed across a Layer 2 network).

The latest release of firmware for the AP300 will first attempt to locate a wireless switch for adoption via a Layer 2 broadcast request. If it's unable to locate a wireless switch it will make a DHCP request for an IP address. If the DHCP response does not include option 189 (string) it will make a DNS request to try and locate the wireless switch.

There are two ways the Access Port can locate the Wireless LAN Switch (WS5100/RFS7000) in Layer 3 mode;

• DHCP Option
  
• DNS Query
  

You can use DHCP and configure option 189 (string) with the IP address of the Motorola Wireless LAN Switch. You should note that you may need to enclose the string in quotation marks depending on your DHCP server software.

You can also create a DNS alias which the AP can use to locate the switch through a DNS query. The default DNS anme requested by an AP300 is "Symbol-CAPWAP-Address".

You might also notice that the AP300 will also support LLDP (802.1ab) if your Ethernet switch supports it.

Cheers!