Configure Client Bridge

Use a Client Bridge to extend a wired LAN using a wireless infrastructure. To configure a Client Bridge to work with ExtremeCloud IQ Controller take the following steps:

  1. From ExtremeCloud IQ Controller, create a device group for your Client Bridge AP.
  2. For RF Management, select Default Smart RF.
  3. Edit the default configuration Profile for the AP model, specifying the client bridge settings.
    To edit the configuration Profile, select .
  4. From the Radios tab, select Client Bridge as the Radio Mode value for either radio.
    Note

    Note

    Consider the following when configuring a radio as a Client Bridge:
    • Only one radio can be configured as a Client Bridge. This can be either radio. Regardless of which radio is configured as the Client Bridge, both radios will continue to provide service.
      • Radio 1 enables Client Bridge on the 2.4GHz band only.
      • Radio 2 enables Client Bridge on the 5GHz band only.
    • The Client Bridge radio will connect on the radio channel that is determined by the infrastructure AP.
    • When Client Bridge is configured on a single interface AP, the single interface is used as the client port, not as an uplink, and you will not see the ETH1 Port Function field in the Profile Advanced dialog.
    • Eight networks can be configured per radio. If one network is configured as a Client Bridge, seven additional networks can be configured for service on that radio.
  5. Select the Client Bridge Network.
    The following WLAN parameters are passed to the Client Bridge AP to configure station mode on the radio:
    • Network SSID
    • Encryption or Authentication type
    • Pre-shared key
    The selected network must be configured with one of the following supported authentication types:
    • Open
    • WPA2-Personal (PSK)
    • WPA2-Enterprise 802.1x/EAP
    • WPA3-Enterprise 802.1x/EAP
    • MAC-base Authentication (MBA)
    When using authentication types WPA2-Enterprise 802.1x/EAP and WPA3-Enterprise 802.1x/EAP, select the icon to configure the user ID and password.
    Click to expand in new window
    Configuration Profile with Client Bridge Configuration
    Note

    Note

    A Client Bridge AP will not associate to the infrastructure network with authentication types Open or WPA2-Personal (PSK) in combination with captive portal. These scenarios require user interaction.
    Note

    Note

    The Client Bridge network and the infrastructure AP network must match on the same radio. On the Client Bridge AP, if the 2.4 GHz radio is configured as Client Bridge, the infrastructure AP must broadcast that network on a 2.4GHz radio.
  6. From the configuration Profile Advanced settings, the ETH1 Port Function is automatically set to Client after configuring the Client Bridge radio.

    To configure a transparent point-to-point bridge that supports tagged traffic, set the ETH1 Port Function to Bridge.

    Note

    Note

    • The Bridge port is not supported on access points with a single Ethernet port.

    • Ports on the Universal APs are labeled ETH0, ETH1. Other AP models label the ports GE1, GE2 or LAN1, LAN2. In all cases, the user interface field labels display "ETH0" and "ETH1" which are equivalent to GE1 and GE2, and LAN1 and LAN2, respectively.

    • When Client Bridge is configured on a single interface AP, the single interface is used as the client port, not as an uplink, and you will not see the ETH1 Port Function field in the Profile Advanced dialog.
  7. Save the configuration Profile.
  8. If you are planning to connect the end-system to the Client Bridge AP through the ETH1/GE2 port, edit the configuration Profile again.
  9. On the Networks tab, the Client Bridge network is indicated with a black highlight.
    Note

    Note

    The Client Bridge is always assigned the primary BSSID (Basic Service Set Identifier). If you change the Client Bridge network assignment, the radio is reset, resulting in a service interruption.
  10. On the Networks tab, select ETH1 port.
    Only allow one network assignment to Client Bridge and ETH1/GE2 interfaces respectively.
    Click to expand in new window
    Configuration Profile Network Configuration – Client Bridge
    Configuration Profile Networks tab shows network selected for Client Bridge.
  11. Connect the Client Bridge AP to ExtremeCloud IQ Controller using the ETH0/GE1 Port, which is designated as the primary port.
  12. Assign the Client Bridge AP to the device group and assign the device group to the site.
  13. After the Client Bridge link is established, disconnect the Client Bridge AP from the ETH0/GE1 Port and ExtremeCloud IQ Controller.
    After the bridge is established, you can find the Client Bridge AP on the Clients List.
The end-system device traffic is connected through ETH1 port (or ETH/POE port for the single interface). The Client Bridge AP communicates with the infrastructure AP on the wireless network.

When Client Bridge is configured on a single interface AP, the single interface is used as the client port, not as an uplink, and you will not see the ETH1 Port Function field in the Profile Advanced dialog.

Click to expand in new window
Configuration Profile Network Configuration – Client Bridge on a single interface AP
Configuration Profile Networks tab shows network selected for Client Bridge on a single interface AP.

The wired port speed is configured on the Wired Ports tab.

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