WDS (Wireless Distribution System ... maybe) gives you the ability to establish static links over-the-air. Traditionally WDS links were used for pt-to-pt and pt-to-multipoint connections. We added meshing a couple of years ago to provide automatic provisioning and resiliency to multipoint connections. With meshing, you have a mesh portal (the AP that is connected to the wired grid) and is acting as a mesh parent advertising the mesh SSID to APs downstream. An AP downstream that has been provision with the same mesh SSID will scan the air and connected to the strongest signal parent. The child AP then can become a parent AP to provide connectivity to another AP downstream. If there is a failure of a mesh parent or the signal becomes too weak, the mesh child will automatically scan the air for another mesh parent. The ability for the mesh to auto-form based on the RF characteristics is what gives meshing the resiliency and auto-provisioning capabilities. However, this also makes the solution more un-deterministic in that it is difficult to troubleshoot a problem because the traffic can flow in different directions. WDS is more deterministic and that you always know where the traffic is flowing. Ultimately, you decide what is best for your deployment...IdentiFi Adapt (s) to your needs.
