How to configure Point to Multi-Point Networks

Description:

Point to multi-point networks are used to connect one location to one or more remote locations. The above diagram shows three connected multi-user networks (using a Hub or Switch). Any location may be configured as a Direct connection (without a Hub or Switch).
Air-Frame 100 at location B can be used to create many, co-located point to multi-point networks or cells.

Typical Applications:

Internet, Intranet or Extranet configurations. ISP access networks. LAN to LAN applications (bridged or routed see below). Remote data capture (Telemetry or SCADA). Remote Control. Remote Monitoring, Security, Hub and Spoke, Conferencing.

Bridged or Routed:

In a bridged connection (Air-Frame 10 or 100 range) the network traffic is sent from one location to all other locations and consists of:

Traffic for a PC or system on any other network i.e. traffic from location A to, say, a system at location B, is also received by Location C (but is only sent once over the radio) and is placed on the local LAN at C by the bridging function.
Broadcast traffic (e.g. network management).
Multicast traffic.

In effect all the locations operate as a single, fully transparent LAN. Where one or more locations consist of many PCs or systems the broadcast traffic alone can be considerable and consideration should be given to using a routed network. In addition the redundant traffic received at each location can stress the local LAN network and cause security concerns. In this case also a routed solution should be considered.
In a routed connection (Air-Frame 100 range) the traffic is sent from one location to all other Locations consists and consists only of:

Traffic for a PC or system on any other network i.e. traffic from location A to, say, a system at location B, is also received by Location C (but is only sent once). The routing function however prevents this redundant traffic from being placed on the local LAN at C.

In this configuration the LANs operate independently but communication is enabled between them.

Inter-working:

The following defines inter-working between the Air-Frame Family:

Location A	Location B & C
Air-Frame 10.1	Air-Frame 10.1
Air-Frame 10.2	Air-Frame 10.2 Air-Frame 100 (any model)
Air-Frame 100 (any model)	Air-Frame 10.2 Air-Frame 100 (any model)

Posted in: Point to Multipoint