Cisco Cisco 2106 Wireless LAN Controller Release Notes

Access points within a mesh network operate as either a root access point (RAP) or a mesh access point 
(MAP).

Outdoor mesh access points (1505, 1510 and 1522) and indoor mesh access points (1130 and 1240) can 
function as either RAPs or MAPs. By default, all outdoor mesh access points functions as MAPs and 
must be configured to function as a RAP.

Indoor access points by default are in local (non-mesh) mode. Specific configuration on the controller is 
required to convert indoor access points from local to mesh (bridge) access points and to assign the 
specific mesh role (RAP or MAP). Refer to the 

 for details.

At least one access point within a mesh network must be configured to function as a RAP.

RAPs within the network have a wired connection to the controller and MAPs communicate among 
themselves and back to the RAP using wireless connections over the backhaul. MAPs use the AWPP 
protocol to determine the best path through the other mesh access points to the controller. 

All the possible paths between the MAPs and RAPs form the wireless mesh that is used to carry traffic 
from wireless LAN clients connected to MAPs and to carry traffic from devices connected to MAP 
Ethernet ports.

The following new software features and enhancements are introduced in Release 4.1.191.24M:

Dynamic Frequency Selection (DFS) support with seamless channel change for 1520 series access 
points.

Indoor Mesh functionality for Cisco Aironet 1130AG and 1240AG series access points.

Refer to 

 for detailed feature summary.

Refer to 

 for details on how to upgrade these access points.

Expanded Mesh Alarms, Events, Reports and Statistics in Cisco WCS release 4.2

Three new general parameters are available for monitoring mesh access points from Cisco 
WCS: AP Uptime, LWAPP Uptime, LWAPP Join Taken Time and Hop count. (Monitor > 
Access Points > AP Name > Mesh Statistics).

The software version for a mesh access point is now appended with the letter M: 4.1.191.24M.

Mesh Statistics are summarized under a three-tabbed Mesh Statistics panel rather than on a 
single page. Statistics are summarized under the following sub-panel headings: Bridging, 
Queue and Security. (Monitor > Access Points > AP Name > Mesh Statistics).

Mesh Statistics are reported when a child mesh access point authenticates or associates with a 
parent mesh access point. Statistic entries are removed and no longer displayed when the child 
mesh access point disassociates from the controller.

Queue statistics are new to release 4.1.191.24M and summarize the average and peak number 
of packets waiting in management, platinum, gold, silver and bronze queues. Packets dropped 
and queue size are also summarized. This information was previously only available on the 
controller.