Cisco 300-425 - Designing Cisco Enterprise Wireless Networks (ENWLSD)

Mobility domains and mobility groups are concepts used in Cisco wireless networking to manage client roaming and controller interaction. When Wireless LAN Controllers (WLCs) are part of the same mobility domain, they share a common database, allowing them to communicate and facilitate seamless client roaming. A mobility group is a subset of this domain, where specific WLCs work together more closely to share client context and security credentials. This ensures that when a client roams from one access point (AP) to another across different controllers, the authentication and security context are maintained, allowing for a seamless transition without the need to re-authenticate. The mobility group also manages AP fail-over between controllers, ensuring clients can maintain their connections even if their current AP fails or becomes unreachable.

https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/td/docs/wireless/controller/8-0/configuration-guide/b_cg80/b_cg80_chapter_010011.html

An RSSI value of -77 dBm is within the range that a 5 GHz radio can receive and decode, provided it’s not below the RX-SOP threshold set for the RF profile. Since the RF profile is set to Medium for 802.11a, which operates in the 5 GHz band, the AP’s 5 GHz radio will decode the frames.

For predictive designs, especially for location readiness and interference mitigation, a mid-range power level like 18 mw is often used. It provides a balance between coverage and minimizing interference with other devices and networks.

 AP groups allow the mapping of specific WLANs (SSIDs) to distinct VLANs for different locations. This design enables clients to be on different subnets based on their building location without modifying the access points’ mode of operation.

The Virtual Switching Link (VSL) is essential for communication between the active and standby Wireless LAN Controllers (WLCs) in a Stateful Switch Over (SSO) setup. If the VSL goes down, it can lead to a split-brain scenario where both WLCs assume they are active, causing network disruptions and inconsistencies in client handling. References: Designing Cisco Enterprise Wireless Networks (ENWLSD 300-425) Official Cert Guide.

To reduce full authentication requests and optimize roaming, enabling Cisco Centralized Key Management (CCKM) on the voice SSID is effective. CCKM allows for fast re-authentication during roaming, which is beneficial for voice applications. Adding APs to a FlexConnect group helps manage APs in remote branches more efficiently.

 In a wireless design that requires bridging wired IP surveillance cameras through a mesh AP, the cameras should connect to the AP operating in Mesh AP mode (MAP). This mode allows the AP to function as part of a wireless mesh network, providing connectivity to wired devices like IP cameras in areas where it’s difficult to run Ethernet cables.

For an effective office site survey, it’s recommended to: A. Use a battery pack to power APs - This allows for mobility and testing in various locations without relying on fixed power sources. B. Use a drawing of the office space to mark AP and client placements - This helps in planning the optimal locations for AP installation. F. Use APs with built-in antennas - They are commonly used for site surveys as they represent the typical deployment scenario.

 For mobility tunneling through a firewall in a Cisco wireless network environment, UDP port 16666 must be open along with IP Protocol number ‘97’, which is used for Encapsulating Security Payload (ESP) traffic typically found in IPsec tunnels. By ensuring these ports are mapped correctly through the firewall, R&D engineers can roam within their department while maintaining a secure mobility tunnel. References := (CCNP Enterprise Wireless Design ENWLSD 300-425 and Implementation ENWLSI 300-430 Official Cert Guide Premium Edition and Practice)