ZyXEL Communications 802.11b/g/n poe access point User Manual

Page of 240
Chapter 1 Introducing the NWA
NWA1100-N User’s Guide
14
Be careful to avoid bridge loops when you enable bridging in the NWA. Bridge loops cause 
broadcast traffic to circle the network endlessly, resulting in possible throughput degradation and 
disruption of communications. The following examples show two network topologies that can lead 
to this problem: 
• If two or more NWAs (in bridge mode) are connected to the same hub.
Figure 5   
Bridge Loop: Two Bridges Connected to Hub
• If your NWA (in bridge mode) is connected to a wired LAN while communicating with another 
wireless bridge that is also connected to the same wired LAN.
Figure 6   
Bridge Loop: Bridge Connected to Wired LAN
To prevent bridge loops, ensure that your NWA is not set to bridge mode while connected to both 
wired and wireless segments of the same LAN.
1.2.3  AP + Bridge
In AP+Bridge mode, the NWA supports both AP and bridge connection at the same time.
In the figure below, A and B use X as an AP to access the wired network, while X and Y 
communicate in bridge mode.
Using AP + Bridge mode, your NWA can extend the range of the WLAN. In the figure below, A and 
B act as AP + Bridge devices that forward traffic between associated wireless workstations and the 
wired LAN.