10. Stars and Loops

There are other two ways that multiple WDS APs can be configured. Figure 10 shows a Star configuration, in which one AP maintains a WDS link to each of four remote APs, with each remote having a single reciprocal link back to the "root" (LAN connected) AP.

Figure 10: WDS star

This configuration would be preferable to the chain used in Example 2 because it allows expanded area coverage with only one hop for each repeater. Its main weakness is that all the "remote" APs depend on the "root" AP (AP # 1) for their connection to the LAN. Of course, you need only three APs for a minimum star configuration.

Figure 11: WDS loop

Finally, Figure 11 shows a WDS loop in which each AP has a WDS link to two others. Though this configuration still has a single point of failure, it is somewhat more robust. If any AP other than #1 fails, the others still have a path back to the wired LAN.

You should not use this configuration unless you are sure that all the APs used support spanning tree algorithms and protocol. If spanning tree is not supported, you will get performance breakdowns due to broadcast storms.

Conclusion

WDS is helping to improve interoperability of wireless bridging and repeating, but it's still not as easy as it should be. I hope this How To has given you a better understanding for how WDS works and how to get it working for you. May all your WDS links be trouble-free!