The CUWN Architecture
The Cisco Unified Wireless Network defines a total of five functional areas or interconnected elements, as shown in Figure 10-2.
The five elements or components all work together. It's no longer about point products, where you can buy a standalone AP and deploy it and then later get management software to handle it. Today it is all about everything working together to create a smarter, more functional network. To illustrate how it all comes together, consider a Cisco wireless network. This type of network includes the following wireless clients (the first component of the CUWN):
■ Cisco Aironet client devices
■ Cisco-compatible client devices (not necessarily Cisco products, but still compatible)
■ Cisco Secure Services Client (SSC)
The client devices get a user connected.
The second component, the access point, is dynamically managed by your controllers, and they use LWAPP to communicate. The AP bridges the client device to the wired network. A number of APs that could be discussed here are as follows:
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The |
1130AG |
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The |
1240AG |
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The |
1250AG |
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The |
1300 series bridge |
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The |
1400 series bridge |
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The |
1500 series outdoor mesh |
- Figure 10-2 CUWN Architecture
Each of these access points is discussed in further detail in the section "Access Points."
The next functional area of the CUWN architecture—network unification—is the module that includes your controllers, including the following:
■ The 6500 series Catalyst switch Wireless Services Module (WiSM)
■ Cisco Wireless LAN Controller module (WLCM)
■ Cisco Catalyst 3750 series integrated WLC
■ Cisco 4400 series WLC
■ Cisco 2000 series WLC
The next functional area of the CUWN architecture—network management—is provided by the Cisco wireless control module.
The final functional area of the CUWN architecture—network services—includes everything else: the self-defending network, enhanced network support, such as location services, intrusion detection and prevention, firewalls, network admission control, and all those other services.
Those are the five functional areas of the CUWN. The following sections highlight the topics that you will want to be the most familiar with for the CCNA Wireless exam.
Continue reading here: The 1130AG
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