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layer 2 vs layer 3 wi-fi mesh networks?

2 posts by 2 authors in: Forums > CWDP & CWAP - Enterprise Wi-Fi Design & Analysis
Last Post: October 11, 2008:
  • By Rog
    Reply

    I'm looking for info that describes the difference between layer 2 and layer 3 mesh networks. From what I can tell, it's something like the following:

    layer 2: manageable via IP address, but you really only control the PHY/DATA link layer "stuff" (channels, 802.1Q VLAN tagging, 802.11e, etc)

    layer 3: some other controller uses some sort of layer 3-ish protocol (e.g. LWAPP) to "talk" to the access points and manage the PHY/DATA link layer stuff.

    Is this an accurate description? Or am I missing something?

    Also, which is "better"? Is either categorically better? Or do different environments lend themselves to one solution or the other?

  • By GTHill
    Reply

    The first thing that comes to mind is that a L3 solution could cross L3 boundaries between the controller and AP.

    I would think that L2 would be more efficient, but I couldn't state any facts to that matter.

    GT

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