Some questions about Layer2 adoption.

[zlinuxboy]

I am reading "WING5X how to centrailized deployment", there are some question:

P16, Layer 2 Adoption
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WING 5 APs support Layer 2 discovery allowing a remote AP to discover a Site Controller and establish a
VLAN based Level 1 MINT link. Layer 2 discovery is only supported for remote sites with Site Controllers
managing APs and cannot be used for APs only sites.
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Q1: why the statement said Layer 2 discovery is only supported for remote sites with Site Controllers managing APs?

APs only site could elected a VC, and the VC will form level 1 MiNT link with adoptees.

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It is important to note that Layer 2 discovery is used to establish VLAN based Level 1 MINT links which are
point-to-multipoint in nature. When a VLAN based MINT link is established at the site, all the Site Controllers
and APs share the same MINT link and form adjacencies. This can cause scaling issues for larger AP
deployments especially if multiple VLANs are extended between the Site Controllers and APs. As a best
practice it is always recommended to use IP based Level 1 MINT links to adopt and managed APs whenever
possible.
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Q2:Are there two type of level 1 MiNT link: IP based and VLAN based? 

What I know is there are only one type of level 1 MiNT link: vlan based.

[zlinuxboy]

Thanks both of you guys

[Christopher_Fra]

To add to Chris Kelly’s response, I have attached a “WiNG Best Practices Deployment Quick Reference” guide, which covers MiNT and deployment scenarios. 

[ckelly · Accepted solution]

Q1: why the statement said Layer 2 discovery is only supported for remote sites with Site Controllers managing APs?

APs only site could elected a VC, and the VC will form level 1 MiNT link with adoptees.

A1: Layer 2 is used for VLAN based adoption and management. With remote site management, you’ll normally need layer-3 connections from the APs back to the controller in the NOC (or wherever).

With a VC setup, the VC and its adopted APs are at the same site and can therefore use level-1 MINT links.

Q2:Are there two type of level 1 MiNT link: IP based and VLAN based? 

What I know is there are only one type of level 1 MiNT link: vlan based.

A2: Yes, there are two levels of MiNT links (level-1 and level-2). Then there is the usage of these MiNT links at either layer-2 or layer-3.  It can get a little confusing and usually requires a diagram to describe which type is needed/recommended for different deployment situations (trying to describe this only in writing is difficult).

IP-based is layer-3.

VLAN-based is layer-2 though.

Level-1 MiNT links are formed between APs at the same site and are used by the APs to talk to each other using the MiNT protocol. It can also be used by the APs to form an adoption at a local site back to a controller at the same local site. This level-1 MiNT link is then used by the APs and controller to talk to each each for management.

Level-2 MiNT links are formed between the elected RF Domain Manager AP/controller at a remote site and the controller in the NOC. Level-2 MiNT can also be used by APs at a local site to adopt to a controller at the same local site. This is a more efficient way to setup local controllers and AP adoption (vs using level-1 MiNT links between APs and controller at same local site)