Split MAC vs Local MAC Architecture

Tags

CAPWAP state machine, Local MAC, Split MAC

With Split MAC , the 802.11 protocol functionality is divided between AP & WLC. Below diagram shows how Split MAC architecture works where AP & WLC have their dedicated responsibilities. General rule is all real-time tasks are handled by AP (such as Probe Response, Packet buffering, Fragmentation, Queuing) & non real-time tasks handled by WLC (Such as Association / Di-association, Classifying, 802.1x/EAP authentication, etc)

In Local MAC mode AP is doing all of the functions including the one done by WLC in Split MAC architecture.

Below diagram shows the CAPWAP State machine where you need to understand this in order to determine from where you should start troubleshoot if something is not working.

Following are the key states of this process & will see few of these in details in future posts.

1. Discovery Process (L2 Broadcast, L3 Broadcast,DHCP Option43, DNS,Priming, Static, OTAP)
2. Join Process (Primary/Secondary/Tertiary/Global Bacup WLC, Master Controller Flag, Least Load WLC)
3. Image Process
4. Config State
5. Run State

1. AP Registration
2. WLC Discovery via DHCP Option 43
3. WLC Discovery via DNS
4.
5.

4 thoughts on “Split MAC vs Local MAC Architecture”

dafunkychild said:

March 4, 2013 at 4:44 pm

Nice summ up.
What do the acronyms stand for ?
STA ( Stagtion agent ) ? WTP ? AC ?

Thanks

- nayarasi said:
  
  March 4, 2013 at 6:00 pm
  
  Hi,
  In IEEE standard terms used for access point is “WTP” -Wireless Termination Point. “STA” for station & “AC” for Access Controller.
  But most common terms we use day to day are AP/WAP , & WLC for Access point & Wireless LAN controller.
  I got above diagrams from some cisco slides where they used IEEE terms.
  
  HTH
  
Uddika Kahawatte said:

May 27, 2013 at 12:34 am

hi..
nice post. i was searching google on some cisco wireless topics while i am preparing for CCDA, and came across this blog. nice work of knowledge sharing. really great.

can you please explain the “802.11 MAC Management: Association requests and actions” which is one difference between the split MAC and the local MAC architecture (to my understanding) ?

uddika

Martin said:

July 16, 2018 at 11:47 pm

Hello,

Thanks for for your post , anyway could you please correct me? For my understanding:

Split MAC = AP local mode
Local MAC = AP bridged mode
Local MAC and Split MAC (hybrid) = H-REAP/Flexconnect

is it true?

thanks