Solutions Tech Lab

Aruba Instant APs (IAP) uses Wi-Fi mesh technology to extend Wi-Fi coverage for outdoor/ indoor environments. Instant Mesh network must have at least one valid uplink to provide mesh functionality. As soon as an IAP has a valid uplink, it functions as a Mesh Portal, and IAP without an Ethernet link functions as a Mesh Point.  Now if we have 2x IAPs with valid uplink connections this makes them both Mesh Portal. There is redundancy in the mesh network, and most mesh points try to mesh directly with one of the two portals. The selection is based on the actual deployment and RF environment. But generally, this happens automatically.

Here are the new enhancements.

• Role Assignment enhancement for Mesh point, IAP will check if the Eth0 is up and operational as it sends loop detection packets. If the Eth0 is up and operational then only will the mesh point reboots and becomes a mesh portal.
• We can now have more than one mesh cluster for IAP swarm and manually configure mesh clusters and assign it to specific IAPs
• Mesh cluster for fast moving environments with fast roaming

Here is the lab set-up to demonstrating three scenarios, showing the configuration steps for setting up

1. Mesh link with the default mesh cluster and enabling E0 bridging.
2. Manual mesh cluster for a specific Mesh portal/point with E0 bridging.
3. Manual mesh cluster for a specific Mesh portal/point with E0 bridging and backup mesh cluster.