WLAN Overview

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 Foreword
 Wired LANs are expensive and lack mobility. The increasing demand for portability and mobility requires wireless local area
network (WLAN) technologies.
 WLAN is now the most cost-efficient and convenient network access mode.
 This course introduces the development of WLAN in different phases, concepts related to WLAN technologies,
implementation and basic configurations of common WLAN networking architectures, and WLAN development trends.

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 Objectives
 On completion of this course, you will be able to:
▫ Understand basic concepts of WLAN and the history of the 802.11 protocol family.

▫ Learn about different WLAN devices.

▫ Distinguish between different WLAN networking architectures.

▫ Understand the WLAN working process.

▫ Complete basic WLAN configurations.

Page 2 Copyright © 2020 Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd. All rights reserved.
 Contents
1. WLAN Overview

2. Basic Concepts of WLAN

3. WLAN Fundamentals

4. WLAN Configuration Implementation

5. Next-Generation WLAN Solutions

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 Introduction to WLAN
 A wireless local area network (WLAN) is constructed using wireless technologies. It uses high-frequency (2.4 GHz or 5 GHz) signals such as radio waves, lasers, and
infrared rays to replace the traditional media used for transmission on a wired LAN.

 WLAN technology allows users to easily access a wireless network and move around within the coverage of the wireless network.

Router

Access Point
Wired Network Wireless
Switch Network
Radio signals

Switch

PC

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 IEEE 802.11、WLAN and Wi-Fi
 IEEE 802.11 suites are standards for WLANs which are definded by the Institute of Electrical LAN WLAN
and Electronics Engineering (IEEE).
Ethernet Wi-Fi
 Wi-Fi Alliance was formed by a group of major manufacturers and the logo "Wi-Fi" was
IEEE 802.3 IEEE 802.11
created. The Wi-Fi standards are WLAN technologies based on IEEE 802.11 standards.

• IEEE 802.11 Standards and Wi-Fi Generations

Frequency 2.4GHz 2.4GHz 2.4GHz、5GHz 2.4GHz & 5GHz 5GHz 5GHz 2.4GHz & 5GHz
Band
Throughput 2Mbit/s 11Mbit/s 54Mbit/s 300Mbit/s 1300Mbit/s 6.9Gbit/s 9.6Gbit/s

Standard 802.11 802.11b 802.11a、802.11g 802.11n 802.11ac wave1 802.11ac wave2 802.11ax

Wi-Fi Wi-Fi 1 Wi-Fi 2 Wi-Fi 3 Wi-Fi 4 Wi-Fi 5 Wi-Fi 6

Released In 1997 1999 2003 2009 2013 2015 2018

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 Wi-Fi Development Trends in Office Scenarios
Early 1990s Late 1990s Today

Mobile 1.0 Mobile 2.0 Mobile 3.0

4K

VR/AR ...
All-wireless era
BYOD
Diversified terminals:
• Refined online service
Wireless office era • 802.11ax/ad...
Primary mobile office • VR/4K video
Mobile phone, tablet, and Ultrabook:
Laptop: • Video, voice, and data services
Fixed office • Voice and data services • A large number of real-time services
• 802.11b/a/g • 802.11n -> 802.11ac
Desktop computer:
• Data service Wireless networks as a supplement to wired
Wired and wireless integration All-wireless office, wireless-centric
networks

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 Contents
1. WLAN Overview

2. Basic Concepts of WLAN

3. WLAN Fundamentals

4. WLAN Configuration Implementation

5. Next-Generation WLAN Solutions

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 Basic Concepts Wired Network Wireless Network

WLAN Devices
Home Enterprise
PoE Switch

Network

Wireless Router

AC (Access Controller)

AP (Access Point)

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 Basic Concepts Wired Network Wireless Network

Basic WLAN Networking Architecture

Fat AP Architecture AC + Fit AP Architecture

Internet Internet

Campus
Egress Gateway
Campus
Egress Gateway Campus
Wired Network Network
Ethernet Protocols Campus
Network
AC

Fat AP Fit AP

Radio signal Radio signal

Wireless Network
802.11 Protocols STA STA

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 Basic Concepts Wired Network Wireless Network

Agile Distributed Architecture

AC
Architecture Characteristics

• The agile distributed architecture divides an AP into a central AP and remote units (RUs). The
Central AP Central AP
central AP can manage multiple RUs, which provides good coverage and reduces costs. RUs
can be used in the Fat AP, AC + Fit AP, and cloud management architectures.
RU RU
• Application scope: densely distributed rooms

Room 1 Room 2 Room 3 Room N Room 1 Room 2 Room 3 Room N

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 Basic Concepts Wired Network Wireless Network

CAPWAP
What Is a CAPWAP Tunnel?
Transfer:
Control information
User data AC • Control And Provisioning of Wireless Access Points (CAPWAP): defines
STA Campus how to manage and configure APs. That is, an AC manages and controls APs in
Network
a centralized manner through CAPWAP tunnels.
AP1

AP2
CAPWAP Tunnel Functions
APn
• Maintains the running status of the AC and APs.
• Allows the AC to manage APs and deliver service configurations to the APs.
STA
• Allows APs to exchange data sent by STAs with the AC through CAPWAP
STA tunnels when the tunnel forwarding mode is used.

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 Basic Concepts Wired Network Wireless Network

AP-AC Networking
 The AP-AC networking modes are classified into Layer 2 networking and Layer 3 networking.

Layer 2 Networking Layer 3 Networking

• Layer 2 networking: APs are connected to an • Layer 3 networking: APs are connected to an
AC AC directly or across a Layer 2 network. AC AC across a Layer 3 network.
• The Layer 2 networking features quick • In the actual networking, an AC can connect
deployment. It is applicable to simple or to dozens or even hundreds of APs, which is
Layer 2 temporary networking but not to large Layer 3 usually complex. In most cases, the Layer 3
Network Network
networking. networking is used on a large network.

... ...

AP1 APn AP1 APn

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 Basic Concepts Wired Network Wireless Network

AC Connection Mode
 ACs can be connected in in-path or off-path mode.

In-Path Networking Off-Path Networking

Core Core • In the off-path networking, the AC

Network Network connects to the network between APs and
• In the in-path networking, the APs, AC, and
the core network, but does not directly
core network are connected in a chain. All
AC connect to APs.
AC data destined for the core layer passes
IP Network • In this networking, the AC is connected to
through the AC.
APs in off-path mode, the service data of
IP Network • In this networking, the AC also functions as
APs reaches the uplink network without
an aggregation switch to forward and
passing through the AC.
process data traffic and management traffic
... of APs. ...

AP1 APn AP1 APn

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 Basic Concepts Wired Network Wireless Network

Wireless Communications System

 In a wireless communications system, information may be an image, a text, a sound, or the like. The transmit device first applies source coding to
convert information into digital signals that allow for circuit calculation and processing, and then into radio waves by means of channel coding and
modulation.

Channel
Source Coding Modulation Demodulation Decoding Sink
(transmission media)

Transmit device Receive device

Noise source

Wireless Communications System

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 Basic Concepts Wired Network Wireless Network

Radio Wave
 A radio wave is an electromagnetic wave whose frequency is between 3 Hz and about 300 GHz. Radio technology converts sound signals or other
signals and transmits them by using radio waves.
 WLAN technology enables transmission of information by radio waves over the air. Currently, the WLAN uses the following frequency bands:
▫ 2.4 GHz frequency band (2.4–2.4835 GHz)

▫ 5 GHz frequency band (5.15–5.35 GHz, 5.725–5.85 GHz)

2.4 GHz frequency band 5 GHz frequency band

IEEE 802.11b/g/n/ax IEEE 802.11a/n/ac/ax

• Radio wave spectrum:

Extremely low Super low Ultra low Very low Low frequency Intermediate High frequency Very high Ultra high Super high Extremely high
frequency (ELF) frequency (SLF) frequency (ULF) frequency (VLF) (LF) frequency (IF) (HF) frequency (VHF) frequency (UHF) frequency (SHF) frequency (EHF)

3 30 300 3 30 300 3 30 300 3 30 300 Infrared, visible light,

ultraviolet light, and
ray
Hz kHz MHz GHz

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 Basic Concepts Wired Network Wireless Network

Radio Channel
 A channel transmits information, and a radio channel is a radio wave in space. Given that radio waves are ubiquitous, the random use of spectrum
resources will cause endless interference issues. Therefore, in addition to defining the usable frequency bands, wireless communication protocols
must also accurately divide the frequency ranges. Each frequency range is a channel.

2.4 GHz Frequency Band 5 GHz Frequency Band

• The 2.4 GHz frequency band is divided into 14 channels with overlapping or non-overlapping
relationships, each with a bandwidth of 20 MHz.
▫ Overlapping channels, such as channels 1 and 2, interfere with each other.
▫ Non-overlapping channels, such as channels 1 and 6, do not interfere with each other.
• The 5 GHz frequency band has richer spectrum resources. In addition to 20 MHz channels, APs working on
the 5 GHz frequency band support 40 MHz, 80 MHz, and higher-bandwidth channels.

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 Basic Concepts Wired Network Wireless Network

BSS/SSID/BSSID

 Basic service set (BSS):

▫ An area covered by an AP.
Discover guest BSS
▫ STAs in a BSS can communicate with each other.

 Basic service set identifier (BSSID):

AP SSID: guest ▫ An identifier of a WLAN, which is represented by the AP's MAC address.
BSSID: 00e0.fc45.24a0
Discover guest
 Service set identifier (SSID):
▫ An identifier of a WLAN, which is represented by a string of characters.

▫ SSIDs can replace BSSIDs to help users identify different WLANs.

Discover guest

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 Basic Concepts Wired Network Wireless Network

VAP
 In the early stage, APs support only one BSS. If multiple BSSs are
deployed in a space, we must also deploy multiple APs, which increases
Discover guest and
internal
costs and occupies channel resources. To resolve this problem, APs

BSS1: VAP1
now support creation of multiple virtual access points (VAPs).
SSID: guest
BSSID: 00e0.fc45.24a0
 VAP:
▫ A physical AP can be virtualized into multiple VAPs, each of which provides
Discover guest and AP
internal the same functions as the physical AP.
BSS2: VAP2
SSID: internal ▫ Each VAP corresponds to one BSS. In this way, one AP may provide multiple
BSSID: 00e0.fc45.24a9
BSSs that can have different SSIDs specified.
Discover guest and
internal

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 Basic Concepts Wired Network Wireless Network

ESS

 The coverage of a BSS is limited. An extended service set (ESS) can be

ESS used to expand the coverage. When a STA moves from one BSS to
AP1 AP2
another BSS, an ESS ensures that the STA does not sense the change of
BSSID: BSSID:
00e0.fc45.24a0 00e0.fc45.3100 the SSID.
BSS BSS
 ESS:

SSID: huawei SSID: huawei ▫ A larger-scale virtual BSS that consists of multiple BSSs with the same
SSID.

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 Contents
1. WLAN Overview

2. Basic Concepts of WLAN

3. WLAN Fundamentals

4. WLAN Configuration Implementation

5. Next-Generation WLAN Solutions

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 AP Onboarding Configuration Delivery STA Access Data Forwarding

WLAN Working Process Overview

Campus WLAN Working Process
Network

1 AP onboarding
An AP obtains an IP address, discovers an AC, and sets up a
connection with the AC.

DHCP Server AC 2 WLAN service configuration delivery

The AC delivers WLAN service configurations to the AP.

3 STA access
STAs find the SSID transmitted by the AP, connect to the network, and go
online.

AP AP 4 WLAN service data forwarding

The WLAN starts to forward service data.

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 AP Onboarding Configuration Delivery STA Access Data Forwarding

WLAN Working Process: Step 1

Campus WLAN Working Process
Network

1 AP onboarding

The AC can manage and control Fit APs in a centralized manner and deliver
DHCP Server AC
services only after they go online. The procedure is as follows:
1. An AP obtains an IP address.
2. The AP discovers the AC and establishes a CAPWAP tunnel with it.
3. AP access control
4. AP upgrade
5. CAPWAP tunnel maintenance

2 WLAN service configuration delivery

AP AP
3 STA access

4 WLAN service data forwarding

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 AP Onboarding Configuration Delivery STA Access Data Forwarding

APs Obtain IP Addresses

 An AP can communicate with an AC only after obtaining an IP address.
IP address allocation

IP Address Allocation

CAPWAP
tunnel establishment • An AP can obtain an IP address in either of the following modes:
▫ Static mode: A user logs in to the AP and configures its IP address.
▫ DHCP mode: The AP serves as a DHCP client and requests an IP address from a DHCP server.
AP access control • Typical solutions:
▫ Deploy a dedicated DHCP server to assign IP addresses to APs.
▫ Configure the AC to assign IP addresses to APs.
AP upgrade ▫ Use a device on the network, such as a core switch, to assign IP addresses to APs.
(Optional)

CAPWAP
tunnel maintenance

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 AP Onboarding Configuration Delivery STA Access Data Forwarding

DHCP IP Address Allocation

IP address allocation

AP DHCP Server

CAPWAP DHCP
tunnel establishment DHCP Discover (broadcast)
Server AC Discover DHCP servers on the network

DHCP Offer (unicast)

Select an available IP address from the address pool
AP access control and respond to the AP
DHCP packet
DHCP Request (broadcast)
DHCP packet Notify the DHCP server of the IP address selected
AP upgrade
(Optional)
DHCP Ack (unicast)
Acknowledge address allocation

CAPWAP
tunnel maintenance

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 AP Onboarding Configuration Delivery STA Access Data Forwarding

CAPWAP Tunnel Establishment

 The AC manages and controls APs in a centralized manner through CAPWAP tunnels.
IP address allocation
AP AC

Step 1: AC Discovery
CAPWAP
tunnel establishment Discovery Request
• An AP sends a Discovery Request packet to find an available AC.
• APs can discover an AC in either of the following ways:
Discovery Response
▫ Static: AC IP address list preconfigured on the APs
AP access control ▫ Dynamic: DHCP, DNS, and broadcast

Step 2: CAPWAP Tunnel Establishment

AP upgrade
(Optional)
• APs associate with the AC and establish CAPWAP tunnels, including data tunnels and control
tunnels.
▫ Data tunnel: transmits service data packets from APs to the AC for centralized
CAPWAP
tunnel maintenance forwarding.
▫ Control tunnel: transmits control packets between the AC and APs.

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 AP Onboarding Configuration Delivery STA Access Data Forwarding

Step 1: APs Dynamically Discover the AC

IP address allocation
DHCP Mode (Layer 3 Networking) Broadcast Mode (Layer 2 Networking)
AP DHCP Server AC
Layer 2 Campus Network Layer 3 Campus Network AC
CAPWAP
tunnel establishment

DHCP Discover

DHCP Offer
AP access control (option 43)
Broadcast query
DHCP Request
DHCP Ack
AP upgrade (option 43)
(Optional)
Discovery Request
AP
Discovery Response
CAPWAP
tunnel maintenance

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 AP Onboarding Configuration Delivery STA Access Data Forwarding

Step 2: CAPWAP Tunnel Establishment

CAPWAP tunnel
IP address allocation

Step 2: CAPWAP Tunnel Establishment

CAPWAP DHCP Server

tunnel establishment
AC
• APs associate with the AC and establish CAPWAP tunnels, including data
tunnels and control tunnels.
▫ Data tunnel: transmits service data packets from APs to the AC for centralized
AP access control
forwarding. Datagram Transport Layer Security (DTLS) encryption can be enabled over
the data tunnel to ensure security of CAPWAP data packets. Subsequently, CAPWAP data
packets will be encrypted and decrypted using DTLS.
AP upgrade ▫ Control tunnel: transmits control packets between the AC and APs. DTLS encryption can
(Optional)
be enabled over the control tunnel to ensure security of CAPWAP control packets.
Subsequently, CAPWAP control packets will be encrypted and decrypted using DTLS.

CAPWAP
tunnel maintenance

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 AP Onboarding Configuration Delivery STA Access Data Forwarding

AP Access Control

IP address allocation

AP AC
AP Access Control
CAPWAP
tunnel establishment

• After discovering and AC, the AP sends a Join Request packet to the Discovery Request

AP access control
AC. The AC then determines whether to allow the AP access and sends Discovery Response
a Join Response packet to the AP. Join Request
• The AC supports three AP authentication modes: MAC address Join Response
AP upgrade authentication, SN authentication, and non-authentication.
(Optional)

CAPWAP
tunnel maintenance

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 AP Onboarding Configuration Delivery STA Access Data Forwarding

AP Upgrade

IP address allocation

AP Upgrade AP AC

CAPWAP
tunnel establishment
• The AP determines whether its system software version is the same Discovery Request
as that specified on the AC according to parameters in the received
Discovery Response
AP access control Join Response packet. If they are different, the AP sends an Image
Join Request
Data Request packet to request the software package and then
upgrades its software version in AC, FTP, or SFTP mode. Join Response
AP upgrade • After the software version is updated, the AP restarts and repeats Image Data Request
(Optional)
steps 1 to 3. Image Data Response

CAPWAP
tunnel maintenance

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 AP Onboarding Configuration Delivery STA Access Data Forwarding

CAPWAP Tunnel Maintenance

AP AC

IP address allocation

Discovery Request

CAPWAP Tunnel Maintenance Discovery Response

CAPWAP
tunnel establishment
• Data tunnel maintenance: Join Request
▫ The AP and AC exchange Keepalive packets to detect the data tunnel Join Response
connectivity.
AP access control Image Data Request
• Control tunnel maintenance:
Image Data Response
▫ The AP and AC exchange Echo packets to detect the control tunnel
AP upgrade
Keepalive
connectivity. Data tunnel
(Optional)
Keepalive

Echo Request
Control tunnel
CAPWAP
tunnel maintenance Echo Response

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 AP Onboarding Configuration Delivery STA Access Data Forwarding

Preconfigurations on the AC for APs to Go Online

• Configure DHCP servers to assign IP addresses to APs and STAs. The AC can function as a DHCP server.
Configure network connectivity
• Configure network connectivity between APs and the DHCP server, and between APs and the AC.

Create an AP group Each AP will be added and can be added to only one AP group. In most cases, we configure an AP group to provide the same configurations for multiple APs.

Configure the country code on the AC A country code identifies the country in which the APs are deployed. Country codes regulate different AP radio attributes, including the transmit power and
(regulatory domain profile) supported channels.

Configure a source interface or address Specify a unique source IP address or source interface on each AC. APs must learn the specified source IP address or the IP address of the source interface to
(for establishing CAPWAP tunnels with APs) communicate with the AC and establish CAPWAP tunnels.

(Optional) Configure the automatic AP upgrade In automatic upgrade mode, an AP checks whether its version is the same as that configured on the AC, SFTP server, or FTP server when going online. If the two
versions are different, the AP upgrades its version, restarts, and goes online again. If the two versions are the same, the AP does not upgrade its version.

Add APs
You can add APs by importing them in offline mode, automatic discovery, and manual confirmation.
(configure the AP authentication mode)

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 AP Onboarding Configuration Delivery STA Access Data Forwarding

WLAN Working Process: Step 2

Campus Network

WLAN Working Process

1 AP onboarding
Configuration Update Request

DHCP Server AC 2 WLAN service configuration delivery

1 The AC sends a Configuration Update Request to an AP. If the AC receives a Configuration

Configuration Update Update Response from the AP, the AC then delivers service configuration to the AP.
2 Response

3 STA access
AP AP
4 WLAN service data forwarding

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 AP Onboarding Configuration Delivery STA Access Data Forwarding

WLAN Profiles
 Various profiles are designed based on different functions and features of WLAN networks to help users configure and maintain functions of WLAN
networks. These profiles are called WLAN profiles.

Bound to • A regulatory domain profile provides configurations of country code, calibration channel, and
regulatory domain profile
calibration bandwidth for an AP.

Bound to • Radio profiles are used to optimize radio parameters, and control the in-service channel switching
Radio profile
function.

AP or Bound to • Configure parameters in the VAP profile and reference the SSID profile, security profile, and
VAP profile
AP group authentication profile.

Bound to
Other profiles • AP System Profile, Location Profile, WIDS Profile, Mesh Profile and etc.

• Configure the bandwidth, channel, antenna gain, transmit power, coverage distance, and operating
Configure radio parameters
frequency band of a specified radio.

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 AP Onboarding Configuration Delivery STA Access Data Forwarding

VAP Profile

• An SSID specifies a wireless network. When you search for available wireless networks on a STA,
Bound to Create an
the displayed wireless network names are SSIDs.
SSID profile
• An SSID profile is used to configure the SSID name of a WLAN.

Bound to Create a • You can configure WLAN security policies to authenticate STAs and encrypt user packets, protecting
security profile the security of the WLAN and users.

VAP Profile

Configure the data

• Control packets (management packets) and data packets are transmitted on a WLAN.
forwarding mode

Configure service VLANs • Layer 2 data packets delivered from the VAP to an AP carry the service VLAN IDs.

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 AP Onboarding Configuration Delivery STA Access Data Forwarding

WLAN Working Process: Step 3

Campus Network

WLAN Working Process

1 AP onboarding

DHCP Server AC 2 WLAN service configuration delivery

3 STA access

STAs can access a WLAN after CAPWAP tunnels are established.

The STA access process consists of six phases: scanning, link authentication, association,
access authentication, DHCP, and user authentication.

AP AP
4 WLAN service data forwarding

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 AP Onboarding Configuration Delivery STA Access Data Forwarding

Scanning
 In active scanning, a STA periodically searches for nearby wireless networks.
Scanning
 The STA can send two types of Probe Request frames: probes containing an SSID and probes that do not contain an
SSID.
Link authentication
Active Scanning by Sending a Probe Request Frame Containing an SSID Active Scanning by Sending a Probe Request Frame Containing No SSID

Association Probe Request AP1

(SSID: huawei)
.
Probe Response .
Access authentication
STA AP1 .
STA
(SSID: huawei)
APn

DHCP • The STA sends a Probe Request containing an SSID on each channel to • The STA periodically broadcasts a Probe Request frame that does not
search for the AP with the same SSID. Only the AP with the same SSID will contain an SSID on the supported channels. The APs return Probe
respond to the STA. Response frames to notify the STA of the wireless services they can
User authentication provide.

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 AP Onboarding Configuration Delivery STA Access Data Forwarding

WLAN Security Protocols

 As WLAN technologies use radio signals to transmit service data, service data can be easily intercepted or tampered
Scanning with by attackers when being transmitted on open wireless channels. Ensuring WLAN security is crucial to building
safe and effective wireless networks.
Link authentication  Common security policy:

Association
Access
Security Policy Link Authentication Data Encryption Description
Authentication

Open system N/A No encryption or WEP Insecure policy

Access authentication
WEP
Shared-key
N/A WEP Insecure policy
Authentication

DHCP A more secure policy, applicable to large

WPA/WPA2-802.1X Open system 802.1X (EAP) TKIP or CCMP
enterprises

More secure policy, applicable to small- and

WPA/WPA2-PSK Open system PSK TKIP or CCMP
medium-sized enterprises or household users
User authentication

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 AP Onboarding Configuration Delivery STA Access Data Forwarding

Link Authentication
 To ensure wireless link security, an AP needs to authenticate STAs that attempt to access the AP.

Scanning  IEEE 802.11 defines two authentication modes: open system authentication and shared key authentication.

Open System Authentication Shared Key Authentication

Link authentication

STA AP
Authentication Request
Association Authentication Request
Authentication Response
Authentication Response (Challenge)

STA AP Authentication Response

Access authentication (Encrypted Challenge)

Authentication Response
(Success)
DHCP
• Open system authentication requires no authentication, allowing any STA to be • Shared key authentication requires that the STA and AP have the same shared key
successfully authenticated. preconfigured. The AP checks whether a STA has the same shared key to determine
the authentication result. If the STA has the same shared key as the AP, the STA is
authenticated. Otherwise, STA authentication fails.
User authentication

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 AP Onboarding Configuration Delivery STA Access Data Forwarding

Association
 After link authentication is complete, a STA initiates link service negotiation using Association packets.
Scanning
 The STA association process is actually a link service negotiation process, during which the supported rate, channel,
and the like are negotiated.
Link authentication

STA AP AC
Association

1. Association Request
Access authentication
2. Association Request

3. Association Response
DHCP
4. Association Response

User authentication

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 AP Onboarding Configuration Delivery STA Access Data Forwarding

Access Authentication
 User access authentication differentiates users and controls access rights of users. Compared with link
Scanning authentication, access authentication is more secure.
 Major access authentication modes include PSK authentication and 802.1X authentication.
Link authentication

Association AP

Access authentication

Access authentication is performed on the wireless-

STA side interface, allowing STAs to send data over
DHCP wireless links.

User authentication

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 AP Onboarding Configuration Delivery STA Access Data Forwarding

STA Address Allocation

 The prerequisite for APs and STAs to go online properly is that they have obtained IP addresses.
Scanning
 If STAs obtain IP addresses through DHCP, the AC or aggregation switch can function as a DHCP server to assign IP
addresses to the STAs. In most cases, the aggregation switch is used as the DHCP server.
Link authentication

DHCP Server
Association AP (Aggregation Switch)
STA
IP Network

Access authentication
DHCP Discover

DHCP Offer
DHCP
DHCP Request

DHCP Ack
User authentication

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 AP Onboarding Configuration Delivery STA Access Data Forwarding

User Authentication
 User authentication is an end-to-end security architecture, supporting 802.1X, MAC address, and Portal authentication
Scanning modes.

Link authentication
Portal Authentication

Association • Portal authentication is also known as web

authentication. Portal authentication websites Huawei-Guest
are referred to as web portals. Just for Guest

Access authentication • To access the Internet, users must be

authenticated on web portals. The users can +86 Phone Number

access network resources only after successful

authentication. Password Get Password
DHCP

Login

User authentication

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 AP Onboarding Configuration Delivery STA Access Data Forwarding

WLAN Working Process: Step 4

Campus Network

WLAN Working Process

1 AP onboarding
DHCP Server AC 2 WLAN service configuration delivery

3 STA access

4 WLAN service data forwarding

AP AP Control packets (management packets) and data packets are transmitted over
CAPWAP tunnels.
• Control packets are forwarded through the CAPWAP control tunnel.
• User data packets can be forwarded in tunnel forwarding (centralized
forwarding) or direct forwarding (local forwarding) mode.

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 AP Onboarding Configuration Delivery STA Access Data Forwarding

Data Forwarding Mode

Tunnel Forwarding Direct Forwarding
CAPWAP tunnel CAPWAP tunnel
Service data traffic Service data traffic

Management traffic Management traffic

AC AC

AP AP AP AP

• In tunnel forwarding mode, APs encapsulate user data packets over a CAPWAP data tunnel • In direct forwarding mode, an AP directly forwards user data packets to an upper-layer
and send them to an AC. The AC then forwards these packets to an upper-layer network. network without encapsulating them over a CAPWAP data tunnel.

Page 52 Copyright © 2020 Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd. All rights reserved.
 Contents
1. WLAN Overview

2. Basic Concepts of WLAN

3. WLAN Fundamentals

4. WLAN Configuration Implementation

5. Next-Generation WLAN Solutions

Page 53 Copyright © 2020 Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd. All rights reserved.
 AP Onboarding WLAN Services

Basic WLAN Configuration Commands: Configuring an AP to Go

Online (1)
1. Configure the AC as a DHCP server and configure the Option 43 field.

[AC-ip-pool-pool1] option code [ sub-option sub-code ] { ascii ascii-string | hex hex-string | cipher cipher-string | ip-address ip-address

Configure the user-defined option that a DHCP server assigns to a DHCP client.

2. Create a regulatory domain profile and configure the country code.

[AC] wlan
[AC-wlan-view]
Enter the WLAN view.
[AC-wlan-view] regulatory-domain-profile name profile-name
[AC-wlan-regulate-domain-profile-name]
Create a regulatory domain profile and enter the regulatory domain profile view, or enter the view of an existing regulatory domain profile.

[AC-wlan-regulate-domain-profile-name] country-code country-code

Configure the country code.
Page 54 Copyright © 2020 Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd. All rights reserved.
 AP Onboarding WLAN Services

Basic WLAN Configuration Commands: Configuring an AP to Go

Online (2)
[AC-wlan-view] ap-group name group-name
[AC-wlan-ap-group-group-name]
Create an AP group and enter the AP group view, or enter the view of an existing AP group.

[AC-wlan-ap-group-group-name] regulatory-domain-profile profile-name

Bind the regulatory domain profile to an AP or AP group.

3. Configure a source interface or address.

[AC] capwap source interface { loopback loopback-number | vlanif vlan-id }
Specify a source interface on the AC for establishing CAPWAP tunnels with APs.

[AC] capwap source ip-address ip-address

Configure the source IP address on the AC.

Page 56 Copyright © 2020 Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd. All rights reserved.
 AP Onboarding WLAN Services

Basic WLAN Configuration Commands: Configuring an AP to Go

Online (3)
4. Add APs in offline mode.

[AC-wlan-view] ap auth-mode { mac-auth | sn-auth }

Set the AP authentication mode to MAC address or SN authentication. By default, MAC address authentication is used.

[AC-wlan-view] ap-id ap-id [ [ type-id type-id | ap-type ap-type ] { ap-mac ap-mac | ap-sn ap-sn | ap-mac ap-mac ap-sn ap-sn } ]
[AC-wlan-ap-ap-id] ap-name ap-name

Manually add an AP in offline mode or enter the AP view, and configure the name of a single AP.

[AC-wlan-view] ap-id 0
[AC-wlan-ap-0] ap-group ap-group
Add the AP to an AP group.
5. Verify the configuration.

[AC] display ap { all | ap-group ap-group }}

Check AP information.

Page 57 Copyright © 2020 Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd. All rights reserved.
 AP Onboarding WLAN Services

Basic WLAN Configuration Commands: Configuring Radios (1)

1. Enter the radio view.

[AC-wlan-view] ap-id 0
[AC-wlan-ap-0] radio radio-id
[AC-wlan-radio-0]

2. Configure the working bandwidth and channel for a radio.

[AC-wlan-radio-0/0] channel { 20mhz | 40mhz-minus | 40mhz-plus | 80mhz | 160mhz } channel

Warning: This action may cause service interruption. Continue?[Y/N]y

[AC-wlan-radio-0/0] channel 80+80mhz channel1 channel2

Warning: This action may cause service interruption. Continue?[Y/N]y
Configure the working bandwidth and channel for all APs in an AP group or for a specified radio of a single AP.

3. Configure the antenna gain.

[AC-wlan-radio-0/0] antenna-gain antenna-gain

Configure the antenna gain for all APs in an AP group or for a specified radio of a single AP.

Page 58 Copyright © 2020 Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd. All rights reserved.
 AP Onboarding WLAN Services

Basic WLAN Configuration Commands: Configuring Radios (2)

4. Configure the transmit power for a radio.

[AC-wlan-radio-0/0] eirp eirp

Configure the transmit power for all APs in an AP group or for a specified radio of a single AP.

5. Configure the radio coverage distance.

[AC-wlan-radio-0/0] coverage distance distance

Configure the radio coverage distance for all APs in an AP group or for a specified radio of a single AP.

6. Configure the operating frequency for a radio.

[AC-wlan-radio-0/0] frequency { 2.4g | 5g }

Page 59 Copyright © 2020 Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd. All rights reserved.
 AP Onboarding WLAN Services

Basic WLAN Configuration Commands: Configuring Radios (3)

7. Create a radio profile.

[AC-wlan-view] radio-2g-profile name profile-name

Create a 2G radio profile and enter the 2G radio profile view, or enter the view of an existing 2G radio profile.

8. Bind the radio profile.

[AC-wlan-view] ap-group name group-name

[AC-wlan-ap-group-group-name] radio-2g-profile profile-name radio { radio-id | all }
Bind the specified 2G radio profile to the 2G radio in the AP group.

Page 60 Copyright © 2020 Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd. All rights reserved.
 AP Onboarding WLAN Services

Basic WLAN Configuration Commands: Configuring VAPs (1)

1. Create a VAP profile.

[AC-wlan-view] vap-profile name profile-name

[AC-wlan-vap-prof-profile-name]
Create a VAP profile and enter the VAP profile view, or enter the view of an existing VAP profile.

2. Configure the data forwarding mode.

[AC-wlan-vap-prof-profile-name] forward-mode { direct-forward | tunnel }

Set the data forwarding mode in the VAP profile to direct or tunnel.

3. Configure service VLANs.

[AC-wlan-vap-prof-profile-name] service-vlan { vlan-id vlan-id | vlan-pool pool-name }

Configure service VLANs configured for the VAP.

Page 61 Copyright © 2020 Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd. All rights reserved.
 AP Onboarding WLAN Services

Basic WLAN Configuration Commands: Configuring VAPs (2)

4. Configure a security profile.

[AC-wlan-view] security-profile name profile-name

[AC-wlan-sec-prof-profile-name]
Create a security profile and enter the security profile view.
By default, security profiles default, default-wds, and default-mesh are available in the system.

[AC-wlan-view] vap-profile name profile-name

[AC-wlan-vap-prof-profile-name] security-profile profile-name
Bind the security profile to the VAP profile.

Page 62 Copyright © 2020 Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd. All rights reserved.
 AP Onboarding WLAN Services

Basic WLAN Configuration Commands: Configuring VAPs (3)

5. Configure an SSID profile.

[AC-wlan-view] ssid-profile name profile-name

[AC-wlan-ssid-prof-profile-name]
Create an SSID profile and enter the SSID profile view, or enter the view of an existing SSID profile.
By default, the system provides the SSID profile default.

[AC-wlan-ssid-prof-profile-name] ssid ssid

Configure an SSID for the SSID profile.
By default, the SSID HUAWEI-WLAN is configured in an SSID profile.

[AC-wlan-view] vap-profile name profile-name

[AC-wlan-vap-prof-profile-name] ssid-profile profile-name
Bind the SSID profile to the VAP profile.

Page 63 Copyright © 2020 Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd. All rights reserved.
 AP Onboarding WLAN Services

Basic WLAN Configuration Commands: Configuring VAPs (4)

6. Bind the VAP profile.

[AC-wlan-view] ap-group name group-name

[AC-wlan-ap-group-group-name] vap-profile profile-name wlan wlan-id radio { radio-id | all } [ service-vlan { vlan-id vlan-id | vlan-pool pool-name } ]

Bind the specified VAP profile to radios in an AP group.

7. Check VAP information.

[AC] display vap { ap-group ap-group-name | { ap-name ap-name | ap-id ap-id } [ radio radio-id ] } [ ssid ssid ]

[AC] display vap { all | ssid ssid }

Display information about service VAPs.

Page 64 Copyright © 2020 Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd. All rights reserved.
 Example for Configuring Layer 2 Tunnel Forwarding in Off-Path
Mode
Data Configuration
IP Network
Management VLAN for APs VLAN 100

Service VLAN for STAs VLAN 101

GE0/0/3 AC The AC functions as a DHCP server to assign IP addresses to APs.
DHCP server The aggregation switch S2 functions as a DHCP server to assign IP addresses to STAs. The default gateway
GE0/0/2 address of STAs is 10.23.101.1.
S2
GE0/0/1 IP address pool for APs 10.23.100.2–10.23.100.254/24
VLANIF 101 GE0/0/1 VLANIF 100 IP address pool for STAs 10.23.101.2–10.23.101.254/24
10.23.101.1/24 10.23.100.1/24 IP address of the AC's source interface VLANIF 100: 10.23.100.1/24
GE0/0/2
Name: ap-group1
AP group
S1 Referenced profiles: VAP profile wlan-net and regulatory domain profile
Name: default
Regulatory domain profile
GE0/0/1 Country code: CN
Name: wlan-net
SSID profile
SSID name: wlan-net
AP
Name: wlan-net
Security profile Security policy: WPA-WPA2+PSK+AES
Password: a1234567
Name: wlan-net
Forwarding mode: tunnel forwarding
VAP profile
STA Service VLAN: VLAN 101
Referenced profiles: SSID profile wlan-net and security profile wlan-net

Page 65 Copyright © 2020 Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd. All rights reserved.
 Network Connectivity AP Onboarding WLAN Services

Configuring Network Connectivity

1. Create VLANs and interfaces on S1, S2, and AC.
IP Network
2. Configure DHCP servers to assign IP addresses to APs and STAs.
GE0/0/3 AC # Configure VLANIF 100 on the AC to assign IP address to APs.
GE0/0/2
S2
GE0/0/1 [AC] dhcp enable
VLANIF 101
10.23.101.1/24 GE0/0/1 VLANIF 100 [AC] interface vlanif 100
10.23.100.1/24 [AC-Vlanif100] ip address 10.23.100.1 24
GE0/0/2
[AC-Vlanif100] dhcp select interface
S1
# Configure VLANIF 101 on S2 to assign IP addresses to STAs and specify 10.23.101.1 as the default
GE0/0/1 gateway address of the STAs.

[S2] dhcp enable

AP
[S2] interface vlanif 101
[S2-Vlanif101] ip address 10.23.101.1 24
[S2-Vlanif101] dhcp select interface
STA

Page 66 Copyright © 2020 Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd. All rights reserved.
 Network Connectivity AP Onboarding WLAN Services

Configuring APs to Go Online (1)

1. Create an AP group.
IP Network
[AC] wlan
[AC-wlan-view] ap-group name ap-group1
GE0/0/3 AC
[AC-wlan-ap-group-ap-group1] quit
GE0/0/2
S2
GE0/0/1 2. Create a regulatory domain profile and configure the country code.
VLANIF 101
10.23.101.1/24 GE0/0/1 VLANIF 100
10.23.100.1/24
GE0/0/2 AC-wlan-view] regulatory-domain-profile name default
[AC-wlan-regulate-domain-default] country-code cn
S1
[AC-wlan-regulate-domain-default] quit
GE0/0/1 [AC-wlan-view] ap-group name ap-group1
[AC-wlan-ap-group-ap-group1] regulatory-domain-profile default
AP Warning: Modifying the country code will clear channel, power and antenna gain configurations of
the radio and reset the AP. Continu
e?[Y/N]:y
[AC-wlan-ap-group-ap-group1] quit
STA
[AC-wlan-view] quit

Page 68 Copyright © 2020 Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd. All rights reserved.
 Network Connectivity AP Onboarding WLAN Services

Configuring APs to Go Online (2)

IP Network 3. Configure the AC's source interface.
[AC] capwap source interface vlanif 100
GE0/0/3 AC
4. Import an AP in offline mode on the AC.
GE0/0/2
S2
GE0/0/1
VLANIF 101
10.23.101.1/24 GE0/0/1 VLANIF 100 [AC] wlan
10.23.100.1/24
GE0/0/2 [AC-wlan-view] ap auth-mode mac-auth
[AC-wlan-view] ap-id 0 ap-mac 60de-4476-e360
S1
[AC-wlan-ap-0] ap-name area_1
GE0/0/1 Warning: This operation may cause AP reset. Continue? [Y/N]:y
[AC-wlan-ap-0] ap-group ap-group1
AP Warning: This operation may cause AP reset. If the country code changes, it will clear channel,
power and antenna gain configurations of the radio, Whether to continue? [Y/N]:y
[AC-wlan-ap-0] quit

STA

Page 69 Copyright © 2020 Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd. All rights reserved.
 Network Connectivity AP Onboarding WLAN Services

Verifying the AP Onboarding Configuration

 After the AP is powered on, run the display ap all command to check the AP state. If the State field displays nor, the AP has gone online.

[AC-wlan-view] display ap all

Total AP information:
nor : normal [1]
Extra information:
P : insufficient power supply
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ID MAC Name Group IP Type State STA Uptime ExtraInfo
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
0 60de-4476-e360 area_1 ap-group1 10.23.100.254 AP5030DN nor 0 10S -
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total: 1

Page 70 Copyright © 2020 Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd. All rights reserved.
 Network Connectivity AP Onboarding WLAN Services

Configuring WLAN Service Parameters (1)

IP Network
1. Create security profile wlan-net and configure a security policy.

GE0/0/3 AC
GE0/0/2 [AC-wlan-view] security-profile name wlan-net
S2
GE0/0/1 [AC-wlan-sec-prof-wlan-net] security wpa-wpa2 psk pass-phrase a1234567 aes
VLANIF 101
10.23.101.1/24 GE0/0/1 VLANIF 100 [AC-wlan-sec-prof-wlan-net] quit
10.23.100.1/24
GE0/0/2

S1
2. Create SSID profile wlan-net and set the SSID name to wlan-net.
GE0/0/1

[AC-wlan-view] ssid-profile name wlan-net

AP [AC-wlan-ssid-prof-wlan-net] ssid wlan-net
[AC-wlan-ssid-prof-wlan-net] quit

STA

Page 71 Copyright © 2020 Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd. All rights reserved.
 Network Connectivity AP Onboarding WLAN Services

Configuring WLAN Service Parameters (2)

IP Network 3. Create VAP profile wlan-net, set the data forwarding mode and service VLAN, and
bind the security profile and SSID profile to the VAP profile.
GE0/0/3 AC
GE0/0/2 [AC-wlan-view] vap-profile name wlan-net
S2 [AC-wlan-vap-prof-wlan-net] forward-mode tunnel
GE0/0/1
VLANIF 101
GE0/0/1 VLANIF 100 [AC-wlan-vap-prof-wlan-net] service-vlan vlan-id 101
10.23.101.1/24
10.23.100.1/24 [AC-wlan-vap-prof-wlan-net] security-profile wlan-net
GE0/0/2 [AC-wlan-vap-prof-wlan-net] ssid-profile wlan-net
[AC-wlan-vap-prof-wlan-net] quit
S1

GE0/0/1
4. Bind the VAP profile to the AP group and apply configurations in VAP profile wlan-
net to radio 0 and radio 1 of the APs in the AP group.
AP
[AC-wlan-view] ap-group name ap-group1
[AC-wlan-ap-group-ap-group1] vap-profile wlan-net wlan 1 radio 0
[AC-wlan-ap-group-ap-group1] vap-profile wlan-net wlan 1 radio 1
STA [AC-wlan-ap-group-ap-group1] quit

Page 72 Copyright © 2020 Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd. All rights reserved.
 Network Connectivity AP Onboarding WLAN Services

Checking VAP Profile Information

 The AC automatically delivers WLAN service configuration to the AP. After the service configuration is complete, run the display vap ssid wlan-net
command. If Status in the command output is displayed as ON, the VAPs have been successfully created on AP radios.

[AC-wlan-view] display vap ssid wlan-net

WID : WLAN ID
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AP ID AP name RfID WID BSSID Status Auth type STA SSID
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
0 area_1 0 1 60DE-4476-E360 ON WPA/WPA2-PSK 0 wlan-net
0 area_1 1 1 60DE-4476-E370 ON WPA/WPA2-PSK 0 wlan-net
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total: 2

Page 73 Copyright © 2020 Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd. All rights reserved.
 Contents
1. WLAN Overview

2. Basic Concepts of WLAN

3. WLAN Fundamentals

4. WLAN Configuration Implementation

5. Next-Generation WLAN Solutions

Page 74 Copyright © 2020 Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd. All rights reserved.
 Huawei WLAN Solutions Meet Future Wireless Network Construction
Requirements
• Use scenario-based customized solutions for complex and diversified application scenarios
All-scenario • Complete WLAN deployment and management solutions for campus networks and branch networks

• 802.11ac Wave 2 protocol, dual-5G radio coverage, and up to 3.46 Gbps wireless access bandwidth
• Huawei is a key contributor to the next-generation 802.11ax standard (Wi-Fi 6) with a single 5 GHz radio rate of up to 9.6 Gbps.
High bandwidth • Roaming and multiple wireless QoS protocols such as Wi-Fi multimedia (WMM) to ensure QoS

• Mainstream authentication and encryption modes, such as WPA, WPA2, WPA3, and WAPI
High security • Wireless intrusion detection
• Portal and 802.1X authentication, protecting intranet security

• APs support plug-and-play, automatic upgrade, automatic channel selection, dynamic rate and power adjustment, and load balancing.
• IoT APs and APs with built-in high-density antennas, simplifying installation and enabling fast deployment
Easy deployment • APs support cloud management and can work in dual-stack mode to smoothly switch between the cloud and local management modes.

Page 75 Copyright © 2020 Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd. All rights reserved.
 Dual Drivers (Technology Advances + Application Development) Promote the
Arrival of the Wi-Fi 6 Era

2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021

Technology
2011 802.11n 802.11ac Wave 1 802.11ac Wave 2 802.11ax

October 2018
Wi-Fi standards are
New Wi-Fi naming convention
upgraded every four to five Wi-Fi 4 Wi-Fi 5 Wi-Fi 6
released by the WFA
years.

4K

Application HD video
Video conferencing 4K video conferencing Interactive VR/AR
Social networking Wireless office Video surveillance E-classroom 3D diagnosis

Bandwidth per user: 2 to 4 Bandwidth per user: 4 to 12 Mbps Bandwidth per user > 50 Mbps
Mbps Latency < 30 ms
Latency < 50 ms
Latency < 10 ms

Page 76 Copyright © 2020 Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd. All rights reserved.
 Wi-Fi 6 Vs. Wi-Fi 5
High Bandwidth High Concurrency Rate Low Latency Low Power Consumption

Frequency

User 1
User 2
User 3
User 4

Time

1024-QAM UL/DL OFDMA OFDMA TWT

8x8 MU-MIMO UL/DL MU-MIMO Spatial Reuse 20 MHz-Only

 Rate of up to 9.6 Gbps  Access of 1024 STAs per AP  Service latency reduced to 20 ms  Target wakeup time (TWT)
 Number of concurrent users increased by mechanism
 Bandwidth increased by 4 times  Average latency reduced by 30%
 STA power consumption
4 times
reduced by 30%

Page 77 Copyright © 2020 Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd. All rights reserved.
 Next-Generation Campus Network: Intent-Driven Campus
(Small- and Medium-Sized)

Basic Concepts

Internet
• The cloud management platform allows centralized management and maintenance of devices
at any place, greatly reducing network deployment and O&M costs.
• Applicable scope: small- and medium-sized enterprises
Egress Gateway Branch Office
Advantages (Compared with the AC + Fit AP Architecture)

Switch Cloud AP
• Plug-and-play and automatic deployment reduce network deployment costs.
• All network elements (NEs) are monitored and managed on the cloud management platform in
Cloud AP
STA a unified manner.
• Cloud solutions usually provide various tools on the cloud, reducing costs.
STA

Campus HQ Campus Branch

Page 78 Copyright © 2020 Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd. All rights reserved.
 Next-Generation Campus Network: Intent-Driven Campus
(Medium- and Large-Sized)
Internet WAN

Egress Zone

DC
NMS O&M Zone
Native AC Native AC

Core Layer
Architecture Characteristics

• iMaster NCE manages and configures APs in a unified manner and provides
Aggregation Layer
various functions. By further integrating with wired networks and leveraging Big
Data and AI technologies, this architecture implements simplified, intelligent, and
Access Layer
secure campus networks.

• Applicable scope: medium- and large-sized enterprises

iStack/CSS Link

Page 79 Copyright © 2020 Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd. All rights reserved.
 Quiz
1. What are the advantages and disadvantages of in-path and off-path networking modes?

2. (Multiple) Which of the following methods are supported by Fit APs to discover an AC?( )
A. Static discovery

B. Dynamic discovery through DHCP

C. Dynamic discovery through FTP

D. Dynamic discovery through DNS

Page 80 Copyright © 2020 Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd. All rights reserved.
 Summary
 WLAN technology allows users to easily access a wireless network and freely move around within the coverage of the
wireless network, eliminating the constraints of wired networks.

 In this course, we have learned WLAN technologies on enterprise networks, including the basic concepts, fundamentals,
network architectures, configuration implementation, and development trend of WLAN technologies.

Page 81 Copyright © 2020 Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd. All rights reserved.
 Thank You
www.huawei.com

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