The operation mode used by an AP to exchange data with other APs is set in LANconfig under with the Point-to-point operation mode option:
- Off
- The AP communicates with mobile clients only.
- On
- The AP communicates with other base stations and with mobile clients.
- Exclusive
- The AP communicates with other base stations only.
In the 5-GHz band, the automatic search for vacant WLAN channels can lead to several simultaneous test transmissions from multiple APs, with the result that they do not find each other. This stalemate situation can be avoided with the appropriate Channel selection scheme.
- Master
- This AP makes the decisions when selecting a free WLAN channel.
- Slave
- All other APs will search for a channel until they have found a transmitting Master.
Thus it is recommended for the 5 GHz band that one central AP should be configured as 'Master' and all other point-to-point partners should be configured as 'Slave'. In the 2.4 GHz band, too, this setting simplifies the establishment of point-to-point connections if the automatic channel search is activated.
Important: It is imperative that the channel selection scheme is configured correctly if the WLAN bridges are to be encrypted with 802.11i/WPA (a master as authentication server and a slave as client).
Important: Automatic channel selection for P2P links in the 5-GHz band is only enabled if the selected country profile supports DFS.
