Mesh Support

Mesh support

Mesh support enables the IW9167IH AP to operate in bridge or flex+bridge modes, extending wireless networks through mesh backhaul on both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz frequencies.

  • Supports bridge and flex+bridge modes for flexible deployment.

  • Allows mesh backhaul using 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz frequencies.

  • Enables point-to-point, point-to-multipoint, and mesh network topologies for indoor and outdoor environments.

Mesh support configuration and operational details

From Cisco IOS XE 17.15.1 release, the IW9167IH AP supports bridge or flex+bridge modes, extending the wireless network through mesh backhaul that supports both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz frequencies.


Note

Disable the 6 GHz radio before configuring the IW9167IH APs in bridge or flex+bridge mode. Enable the 6 GHz radio only when the IW9167IH APs are not in bridge or flex+bridge mode.

This feature allows rapid transitions between bridge and flex+bridge modes. When you run the ap name IW9167IAP mode bridge command, the AP automatically reboots and transitions to bridge or flex+bridge mode.


Note

When issuing the ap name IW9167IAP mode bridge command while the AP is in local mode, the AP automatically reboots and switches to bridge mode. Similarly, when issuing the ap name IW9167IAP mode bridge command while the AP is in flex mode, the AP automatically reboots and switches to flex + bridge mode.

In bridge mode, APs can wirelessly form a point-to-point or point-to-multipoint bridge. As a result, APs in bridge mode can connect to different locations. Several APs can also create a mesh network for indoor or outdoor environments.

The flex+bridge mode enables FlexConnect capabilities on mesh (bridge mode) APs.

For information on configuring mesh on Catalyst 9800 Wireless Controllers, see the Configure Mesh on Catalyst 9800 Wireless LAN Controllers .

Configure the Bridge mode

This procedure describes how to configure the bridge mode on the wireless controller.

Procedure

Step 1

Use the ap name ap-name mode bridge command to change AP to bridge mode. 

Controller# ap name IW9167IAP mode bridge

Step 2

(Optional) Use the ap name ap-name mode clear command to return or reset the AP from bridge mode back to local or flexconnect mode. 

Controller# ap name IW9167IAP mode clear

Verify Bridge mode on a Wireless Controller

This procedure describes how to to view the AP mode and model details.

Procedure

Use the show ap name ap-name config general command on the wireless controller to view the AP mode and model details.

Example:

Controller# show ap name IW9167IAP config general

    AP Mode                                    : Bridge
    AP Model                                   : IW9167IH-B                                 : IW9167IH-B