An automatic process of (re-)configuration is triggered as soon as you enable AutoWDS on an unassociated AP, if authentication at an anchor AP fails, or if an associated AP loses contact to the WLC. This process follows the scheme shown here:
An AP does not run the (re-)configuration process if it is in client mode and can connect to an anchor AP but not to the WLC. The AP waits for 5 minutes after connecting to the AutoWDS base network to see whether the WLC performs a configuration of the device. If no configuration is performed by the WLC by then (e.g., because no administrator accepts the AP), the AP disconnects from the AutoWDS base network and scans for further suitable SSIDs. If there is only one SSID in range, the AP contacts it again to repeat the integration process.
