LWAPP
Encyclopedia
Lightweight Access Point Protocol or LWAPP is the name of a protocol that can control multiple Wi-Fi
wireless access point
s at once. This can reduce the amount of time spent on configuring, monitoring or troubleshooting a large network. The system will also allow network administrators to closely analyze the network.
This system is installed in a central server that gathers data from RF devices from different brands and settings. The server can command a selected group of devices to apply given settings simultaneously.
Although this protocol has so far not been popular beyond the Airespace/Cisco product lines, the CAPWAP
standard is based on LWAPP. Support for LWAPP is also found in analysis products from AirMagnet
, who has recently implemented a software based on this protocol to analyze Cisco
wireless products.
Still considered proprietary, LWAPP systems compete with other non-standard lightweight wireless mechanisms from companies like Meru Networks and Aruba Networks.
Another option for directing an AP to the controller is by defining the controller on the DNS server of the network.
Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi or Wifi, is a mechanism for wirelessly connecting electronic devices. A device enabled with Wi-Fi, such as a personal computer, video game console, smartphone, or digital audio player, can connect to the Internet via a wireless network access point. An access point has a range of about 20...
wireless access point
Wireless access point
In computer networking, a wireless access point is a device that allows wireless devices to connect to a wired network using Wi-Fi, Bluetooth or related standards...
s at once. This can reduce the amount of time spent on configuring, monitoring or troubleshooting a large network. The system will also allow network administrators to closely analyze the network.
This system is installed in a central server that gathers data from RF devices from different brands and settings. The server can command a selected group of devices to apply given settings simultaneously.
Standardization
LWAPP was proposed by Airespace, as a standard protocol to provide interoperability among any brand of access point. Airespace was purchased by Cisco Systems. Its purpose was to standardize "lightweight" access points with the Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF), but it was approved as a standard. Sponsored by Cisco Systems, the IETF approved it in RFC 5412.Although this protocol has so far not been popular beyond the Airespace/Cisco product lines, the CAPWAP
Capwap
CAPWAP - Control and provisioning of wireless access points. The protocol specification is described in RFC5415 and an IEEE 802.11 binding is provided in RFC5416 and is based on LWAPP ....
standard is based on LWAPP. Support for LWAPP is also found in analysis products from AirMagnet
AirMagnet
AirMagnet is a Wi-Fi wireless network assurance startup based in Sunnyvale, California. The firm was founded in 2001 by Dean T. Au, Chia-Chee Kuan and Miles Wu and shipped its first WLAN analyzer product in 2002. In August 2006, the company shipped the Vo-Fi Analyzer, the first voice-over-Wi-Fi...
, who has recently implemented a software based on this protocol to analyze Cisco
Cisco
Cisco may refer to:Companies:*Cisco Systems, a computer networking company* Certis CISCO, corporatised entity of the former Commercial and Industrial Security Corporation in Singapore...
wireless products.
Still considered proprietary, LWAPP systems compete with other non-standard lightweight wireless mechanisms from companies like Meru Networks and Aruba Networks.
LWAPP Layer 2
Layer 2 LWAPP only requires a data link connection in order to transfer frames and layer 2 broadcasts. Even if IP connectivity is not established it will still operate at layer 2.LWAPP Layer 3
IP Layer 3 (UDP 12222 and 12223) connectivity must be established to work with this form of the protocol. Broadcasts or DHCP option 43 can be used to prime the access-points of the network. The controller must be on the same subnet if DHCP is not configured to handle layer 3 LWAPP provisioning.Another option for directing an AP to the controller is by defining the controller on the DNS server of the network.
See also
- CAPWAPCapwapCAPWAP - Control and provisioning of wireless access points. The protocol specification is described in RFC5415 and an IEEE 802.11 binding is provided in RFC5416 and is based on LWAPP ....
- Control And Provisioning of Wireless Access Points (CAPWAP)Protocol Specification