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Difficulty: MediumCisco Wireless Architectures and AP Modes

A network administrator has deployed Cisco Lightweight Access Points (LAPs) in FlexConnect mode at a remote branch office connected via WAN to a centralized Wireless LAN Controller (WLC) at headquarters. The WAN link between the branch and headquarters suddenly fails, causing the APs to lose communication with the WLC. Which two statements accurately describe the operational behavior of the APs while in FlexConnect standalone mode? (Choose two.)

  1. WLANs configured for FlexConnect local switching continue to forward client data traffic locally at the branch.Answer
  2. WLANs configured for central switching cease forwarding client traffic because the CAPWAP data tunnel to the WLC is down.Answer
  3. C
    APs configured in Local mode automatically convert to FlexConnect mode upon detecting CAPWAP heartbeat failure.
  4. D
    The primary AP in FlexConnect standalone mode dynamically assumes the role of an active WLC to manage local CAPWAP control join requests.

Answer

In FlexConnect standalone mode, WLANs configured for local switching continue forwarding client traffic locally at the branch, while WLANs configured for central switching stop forwarding traffic because the CAPWAP tunnel to the central WLC is unavailable.
When a FlexConnect AP loses its CAPWAP control tunnel to the centralized WLC, it enters standalone mode. In standalone mode, WLANs configured for local switching remain operational because traffic is mapped directly to local VLANs on the branch switch. Conversely, WLANs configured for central switching fail because client traffic must be encapsulated in CAPWAP and sent to the WLC, which is unreachable due to the WAN outage.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the impact of WLC unreachability on FlexConnect local switching WLANs.
Local switching allows the branch AP to handle 802.11 to 802.3 frame conversion locally, allowing existing and new locally authenticated client traffic to flow without WLC CAPWAP encapsulation.
FlexConnect was designed specifically for branch reliability so local resources remain accessible during WAN outages.
2
Analyze the impact of WLC unreachability on centrally switched WLANs.
Central switching requires data packets to be tunneled via CAPWAP to the WLC at headquarters. Without WAN reachability to the WLC, the CAPWAP data path is broken.
Data frames cannot be processed locally on centrally switched SSIDs.
3
Evaluate invalid assumptions regarding automatic AP mode switching or controller election.
Standard Local mode APs drop clients when WLC connectivity fails, and FlexConnect standalone APs do not act as local Wireless LAN Controllers.
AP operational modes are administratively defined and do not dynamically alter their fundamental architecture during fault conditions.

Key Concept

FlexConnect Standalone Mode vs Connected Mode Traffic Handling
Estimated Time:1m 30s
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Topics

Cisco Wireless Architectures and AP Modes

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