Cisco Catalyst 9800 Series Wireless Controller Software Configuration Guide, Cisco IOS XE 26.1.x

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Cisco Catalyst 9800 Series Wireless Controller Software Configuration Guide, Cisco IOS XE 26.1.x

Mesh daisy chaining

Updated: April 10, 2026

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Describes Ethernet daisy chaining among mesh APs, presenting prerequisites, restrictions, configuration procedures, enabling on specific AP models, and verification for chained connectivity.

A mesh daisy chain is a wireless networking topology that

  • connects mesh APs in series to relay data

  • enables both serial backhaul communication and network extension for client access, and

  • supports flexible deployment by allowing MAPs to connect in different modes and power configurations.

Mesh APs can daisy chain when operating as Mesh APs. In a daisy chain configuration, MAPs function as either serial backhaul links—using different channels for uplink and downlink to increase backhaul bandwidth—or as extensions of universal network access. Extending universal access allows a local mode or FlexConnect mode Mesh AP to connect to the Ethernet port of a MAP, expanding network reach for client devices.

Wired daisy-chained APs require specific cabling based on power source:

  • If an AP uses DC power, connect an Ethernet cable from the LAN port of the Primary AP directly to the PoE-in port of the Subordinate AP.

Prerequisites for mesh Ethernet daisy chaining

Before you deploy mesh Ethernet daisy chaining, complete several configuration steps and verify specific settings on your APs. These prerequisites include designating AP roles, enabling relevant features, configuring VLAN support, and using the proper cabling to ensure optimal system performance and compatibility.

  • Ensure that you have configured the AP role as root AP.

  • Ensure that you have enabled Ethernet bridging and Strict Wired Uplink on the corresponding AP.

  • Ensure that you have disabled VLAN transparency.

  • To enable VLAN support on each root AP operating in bridge mode, use the ap name name-of-rap mesh vlan-trunking [native] vlan-id command. This command configures a trunk VLAN on the corresponding RAP.

  • To enable VLAN support on each root AP, for Flex+Bridge APs, you must configure the native VLAN ID under the corresponding Flex profile.

  • Ensure that you use 4-pair cables that support 1000 Mbps. This feature does not work properly with 2-pair cables that support 100 Mbps.

Restrictions for mesh Ethernet daisy chaining

Review and meet these requirements before you configure mesh Ethernet daisy chaining:

  • This feature is applicable to the Cisco Industrial Wireless 3702 AP and Cisco Catalyst 9124 Series APs.

  • This feature is applicable to APs operating in Bridge mode and Flex+Bridge mode only.

  • In Flex+Bridge mode, if local switching WLAN is enabled, the work group bridge (WGB) multiple VLAN is not supported.

  • For Ethernet daisy chain topology, connect a power injector as the power supply for the AP. Do not connect the Cisco Industrial Wireless 3702 PoE out port to the PoE in port of another Cisco Industrial Wireless 3702 AP.

  • The network convergence time increases as the number of APs in the chain increases.

  • Any EWC-capable AP that is part of daisy chaining and has been assigned the RAP role must operate in CAPWAP mode (ap-type capwap).

Configure mesh Ethernet daisy chaining (CLI)

This section provides information about how to configure the Mesh Ethernet Daisy Chaining feature on a mesh AP.

Procedure

1.

Enter global configuration mode.

Example:

Device# configure terminal
2.

Specify the AP profile.

Example:

Device(config)# ap profile default-ap-profile
3.

Configure persistent SSID broadcast and ensure strict wired uplink. RAP will not switch to wireless backhaul when you configure this command.

Example:

Device(config-ap-profile)# ssid broadcast persistent

Mesh Ethernet daisy chaining is successfully enabled on the mesh AP. The SSID broadcast is persistent and the RAP uses a strict wired uplink.

Enable mesh Ethernet daisy chaining

This section describes how to enable the Mesh Ethernet Daisy Chaining feature on a Cisco IW 3702 AP.

Procedure

1.

Enter global configuration mode.

Example:

Device# configure terminal
2.

Create a mesh profile.

Example:

Device(config)# wireless profile mesh default-mesh-profile
3.

Connect remote wired networks to each other.

Example:

Device(config)# ethernet-bridging
4.

Disable VLAN transparency to ensure that the bridge is VLAN aware.

Example:

Device(config)# no ethernet-vlan-transparent

The Ethernet daisy chaining feature is enabled.

Mesh Ethernet daisy chaining verification

Use these commands to verify mesh ethernet daisy chaining configuration and check the Persistent SSID broadcast status for access points.

Use the show AP config general command to find out if a Persistent SSID is configured for an AP.

Device# show ap 3702-RAP config general

Persistent SSID Broadcast                  Enabled/Disabled

Use the show wireless mesh persistent-SSID-broadcast summary command to view the Persistent SSID broadcast status for all bridge root APs

Device# show wireless mesh persistent-ssid-broadcast summary
 
 AP Name     AP Model BVI MAC        BGN        AP Role               Persistent SSID state
-------     -------- -------        ---        -------               ---------------------
3702-RAP     3702     5c71.0d07.db50 ap_name    Root AP               Enabled
1560-RAP    1562E    380e.4dbf.c6b0 ap_name    Root AP               Disabled