Hello everyone,

Today I will share with you the VAP.

1. Overview of VAP

Virtual access point (VAP): A VAP is a physical AP on which multiple APs are virtualized. Each virtual AP is a VAP. Each VAP provides the same functions as a physical AP. Users can create different VAPs on an AP to provide wireless access services for different user groups.

VAP types are classified into the following types based on their functions:

Service VAP: used for WLAN wireless services for wireless users to access the network.

WDS VAP: used for WDS wireless link setup for wireless service backhaul.

Mesh VAP: used for Mesh wireless link setup for wireless service backhaul.

AP-management VAPs: VAPs of this type can be managed by wireless users.

2. Service VAP and AP-management VAP

On a WLAN network, an AP is a WLAN service function entity provided for STAs. A VAP can provide wireless service coverage and provide wireless signals for STAs to access the WLAN network P, such as VAP0 in Figure 1.

The virtual VAP can also be used to manage APs. Wireless users can telnet to APs through wireless networks, such as VAP1 in Figure 1.

Figure 1

3. WDS VAP

On a WDS network, an AP is a functional entity that provides WDS services for neighboring devices. A VAP can be used to establish a WDS link between neighboring APs. As shown in Figure 1-2, a WDS wireless virtual link is established between VAP12 and VAP13 of AP_1 and VAP13 of AP_2, a WDS wireless virtual link is established between VAP12 of AP_2 and VAP13 of AP_3.

                Figure 2

4. Mesh VAP

On a mesh network, multiple APs are connected through a wireless mesh link, and then connect to a wired network through a mesh node to form a star topology. VAPs virtualized by APs can be used to establish Mesh links between neighboring APs, as shown by VAP15 in Figure 1-3, a Mesh link is established between VAP15 of AP_1 and VAP15 of AP_2, and a Mesh wireless virtual link is established between VAP15 of AP_2 and VAP15 of AP_3.

                Figure 3

5. Differences between the four VAP types

That is all I want to share with you! Thank you!