The initial configuration and the reconfiguration of an unassociated AP are triggered by various timeouts, which together control the behavior of the device. This includes, if specified:
- The duration of standalone P2P-link operation if the CAPWAP connection is lost (except for reconfiguration);
- The wait time until the start of the automatic (re-)configuration for the preconfigured integration; as well as
- The wait time until the start of the automatic (re-)configuration for the express integration.
The continuation time refers to the lifetime of any P2P link if the AP loses the CAPWAP connection to the WLC. If the AP detects a loss of the CAPWAP connection, it attempts to reconnect within the specified continuation time. Connections to P2P partners and associated WLAN clients remain intact during these times. If the recovery fails and the continuation time expires, the AP discards the P2P part of the WLC configuration. If the standalone continuation time is specified as 0, the AP discards this part of the configuration immediately.
Next, the device uses the remaining configuration parts—the SSID of the AutoWDS base network, the related WPA2 passphrase, and the wait times for the preconfigured and express integration—as a basis to count down the preset time until the start of the (re-)configuration for the preconfigured integration. After this wait time expires, the device switches its physical WLAN interface(s) into client mode and scans the available SSIDs for the last detected AutoWDS base network. At the same time, the timer starts the countdown to the start of the automatic (re-)configuration for the express integration.
If the device has not found the expected AutoWDS base network when the express timer expires, the device automatically switches to express integration. It then searches for any AutoWDS-enabled network until a suitable anchor AP is detected.
By adjusting the interaction between the various wait times, you can allow the device to react flexibly to unforeseen events. This facilitates the implementation of a fallback solution, for example in the case that you change the pre-shared key for the AutoWDS base network. If the change should fail on an unassociated AP, the device becomes inaccessible as it has an invalid configuration. Please observe the notes under Differences between the integration modes.
The relevant counters are configured on the AP (e.g. via LANconfig) and also on the WLC (Setup menu only). The counters are only observed by the AP if no WLC configuration (initial configuration) is available. As soon as a configuration is available, then the values specified in the AutoWDS profile apply (reconfiguration). Learn more about the setting the priorities for configurations under Differences between the integration modes.
