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Difficulty: MediumCisco Wireless Architectures and AP Modes

During a network outage, a centralized Wireless LAN Controller (WLC) becomes completely unreachable from the campus network. Several Cisco Lightweight Access Points (LAPs) in the facility are configured in standard Local mode. How do these Local mode APs handle connected wireless clients while WLC connectivity is lost?

  1. They drop all client associations and stop forwarding data traffic because an active CAPWAP tunnel to the controller is required for operation.Answer
  2. B
    They automatically switch to local switching and process client authentication locally until connection to the controller is re-established.
  3. C
    They continue forwarding existing client data packets across their local Ethernet port while blocking any new client association requests.
  4. D
    They transition automatically into FlexConnect mode and establish ad-hoc mesh peer links with adjacent access points.

Answer

Local mode APs drop all client associations and stop forwarding data traffic because an active CAPWAP tunnel to the controller is required for operation.
In standard Local mode, a Cisco Lightweight Access Point routes all control and data traffic through CAPWAP tunnels back to the Wireless LAN Controller (centralized switching). If the WLC becomes unreachable, the CAPWAP tunnel collapses, causing the AP to drop all client associations, stop serving WLANs, and reboot/search for an accessible WLC.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the operational behavior of Cisco Lightweight Access Points in standard Local mode.
Local mode is the default AP mode where all wireless user traffic is encapsulated into CAPWAP data packets and sent directly to the Wireless LAN Controller (centralized switching).
Control and data plane functions rely entirely on the active CAPWAP connection between the AP and WLC.
2
Determine the outcome when the WLC becomes completely unreachable.
Without a responsive WLC, the CAPWAP control tunnel drops. The Local mode AP cannot process client frames locally nor manage client authentication.
Unlike FlexConnect mode, Local mode APs cannot operate in a standalone state.
3
Identify the correct impact on client connectivity.
The AP drops all associated clients and continuously attempts to discover and rejoin a WLC.
Wireless service is completely interrupted until WLC connectivity is restored.

Key Concept

Cisco Lightweight Access Point Local Mode vs FlexConnect Mode Behavior During WLC Outage
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Topics

Cisco Wireless Architectures and AP Modes

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