Wireless LAN and CAPWAP Operations Quiz

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Questions and Answers

What is the primary role of the data plane in a network?

To manage network devices centrally

To forward user traffic (correct)

To provide intelligence for control mechanisms

To monitor network performance

In which mode do Cisco APs operate as self-sufficient and standalone devices?

Configuration mode

Dynamic mode

Lightweight mode

Autonomous mode (correct)

What must be used for centralized management of devices in an autonomous AP setup?

Individual device management

A centralized control plane

Cloud-based solutions only

A network management server (NMS) (correct)

What protocol is commonly used by Network Management Systems (NMS) to manage WLANs?

Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP) Signup and view all the answers

What limitation does the control plane have in autonomous APs?

Limited intelligence isolated to each individual AP Signup and view all the answers

What type of user traffic is never forwarded to a Network Management System (NMS) by an access point?

User data packets Signup and view all the answers

What does the data plane in the context of Lightweight APs do?

Can forward data at the edge of the network Signup and view all the answers

What method is often used for monitoring and managing in NMS solutions for autonomous APs?

Control And Provisioning of Wireless Access Points (CAPWAP) Signup and view all the answers

What are the two functional components involved in the split MAC architecture?

AP MAC Functions and WLC MAC Functions Signup and view all the answers

Which function is performed by the WLC in the split MAC architecture?

802.11 traffic termination on wired interfaces Signup and view all the answers

What is the default setting for data encryption in CAPWAP operation?

Disabled by default Signup and view all the answers

What mode of operation does a FlexConnect AP use when it loses connectivity with the WLC?

Standalone mode Signup and view all the answers

Which process occurs in Connected mode for a FlexConnect AP?

CAPWAP tunnel connectivity with the WLC Signup and view all the answers

What role does DTLS play in CAPWAP operation?

It secures the CAPWAP control channel. Signup and view all the answers

Which process is NOT handled by the WLC in the split MAC architecture?

MAC layer data encryption Signup and view all the answers

What is required to enable data encryption for CAPWAP on the AP?

A DTLS license installed on the WLC Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of the WLAN controller in a lightweight AP (LAP) setup?

To manage and monitor all access points Signup and view all the answers

Which tunneling protocol is NOT mentioned in relation to lightweight access points?

L2TP Signup and view all the answers

In split MAC architecture, what role does the access point play?

It handles most real-time 802.11 processes. Signup and view all the answers

How many access points can a centralized/unified WLAN controller support for a large enterprise?

6000 APs Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of the CAPWAP tunnels in the lightweight AP architecture?

To connect each AP to the WLAN controller Signup and view all the answers

What happens to the user traffic in a lightweight AP configuration?

It is tunneled to a central controller. Signup and view all the answers

What role does the WLAN controller NOT perform in lightweight APs?

Real-time process handling Signup and view all the answers

Which wireless LAN topology maximizes the number of access points joined to a single WLC?

Centralized topology Signup and view all the answers

What characterizes an embedded wireless network topology?

WLC is embedded in the switch hardware. Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the benefits of the embedded wireless topology regarding network policies?

Easier application of common access and security policies. Signup and view all the answers

How does traffic flow from a wireless user to a central resource in an embedded wireless topology?

It travels through the CAPWAP tunnel and is unencapsulated at the access layer switch. Signup and view all the answers

What is a potential limitation of the Cisco embedded WLC?

It typically supports up to 200 access points. Signup and view all the answers

In a Mobility Express Network Topology, where is the WLC located?

Embedded within an access point. Signup and view all the answers

What environment is the Mobility Express topology particularly beneficial for?

Small and midsize branch locations. Signup and view all the answers

What role does the AP have in a Mobility Express topology?

It runs software that acts as a WLC. Signup and view all the answers

What is NOT a feature of the embedded wireless topology?

The WLC is located at the core of the network. Signup and view all the answers

What is the first state a lightweight AP enters after receiving power?

AP boots Signup and view all the answers

Which method is NOT used by a lightweight AP to find a WLC?

Manual configuration on the AP Signup and view all the answers

What protocol is used to establish a secure channel between the AP and WLC?

DTLS Signup and view all the answers

What happens during the WLC join state of the lightweight AP process?

The AP sends a CAPWAP Join Request to the selected WLC Signup and view all the answers

What is involved in the Download image state?

The WLC informs the AP of its software release Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following states occurs immediately after the AP boots?

WLC discovery Signup and view all the answers

Which factor is NOT required for the AP to operate properly once powered up?

Valid network credentials for the WLC Signup and view all the answers

What does the AP do if its own software release is different from that of the WLC?

Download a matching image from the WLC Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

CAPWAP Operation

Split MAC architecture divides traditional AP functions between the AP and WLC.
WLC handles authentication, association, and re-association of roaming clients.
AP handles beaconing, probing, packet acknowledgments, and retransmissions.
DTLS provides secure communication between AP and WLC, encrypting management and control traffic.
A DTLS license is required on the WLC to enable DTLS encryption on the AP.

Flex Connect APs

FlexConnect enables configuration and control of APs over WAN links.
Connected mode allows the AP to communicate with the WLC over a CAPWAP tunnel.
Standalone mode allows the AP to function independently from the WLC for client data traffic and authentication.

Management, Control and Data Planes

User traffic is forwarded in the data plane.
Standalone APs handle data forwarding locally.
LWAPs typically forward data through the controller, but can also forward data at the edge.

Wireless LAN Topologies

Cisco APs can operate in autonomous or lightweight modes.
Autonomous APs are self-sufficient and standalone.
Lightweight APs are managed by a central WLAN controller (WLC).

Autonomous APs

Manage, control, and handle data at the network edge.
Each AP is managed independently.
Network Management Systems (NMS) can centrally manage devices using SNMP or CAPWAP.

Lightweight APs

Centralize management, control, and data on the WLC.
The controller handles dynamic RF, load balancing, roaming handoffs, and other control functions.
Tunneling protocols like GRE, CAPWAP, and IPSec transmit user data to the controller.

Lightweight AP Topologies

Lightweight APs require a WLC to function.
Split MAC architecture separates real-time 802.11 processes (AP) from management functions (WLC).
Centralized WLC topology maximizes AP connections.
Embedded wireless topology places the WLC on an access layer switch, simplifying access control and security.
Mobility Express topology integrates the WLC into an AP, suitable for small environments.

Pairing Lightweight APs and WLCs

APs go through several states to connect to a WLC.
The AP boots, discovers potential WLCs, establishes a CAPWAP tunnel, joins the WLC, downloads an image, and configures its settings.
The CAPWAP tunnel secures communication between the AP and WLC using DTLS.
The AP downloads the appropriate software image and configuration parameters from the WLC.

AP States

APs go through a predefined sequence of states defined by the CAPWAP specification.
The states include booting, discovering WLCs, establishing a CAPWAP tunnel, joining a WLC, downloading an image, and downloading configuration information.

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Description

Test your knowledge on the CAPWAP operation and the Flex Connect architecture in wireless LANs. Explore the roles of Access Points and Wireless LAN Controllers in managing client connections and data traffic. This quiz will help deepen your understanding of wireless communication protocols and network topologies.