Wireless Architecture Visualizer

Wireless Architecture Comparison

Select an architecture to see its characteristics:

Autonomous AP

Standalone wireless access points

Controller-Based

Centralized WLC with LAPs

Cloud-Managed

Cisco Meraki / DNA Center

CAPWAP Protocol Explorer

Understanding Control and Provisioning of Wireless Access Points

Wireless LAN
Controller (WLC)

Control

Data

Lightweight
Access Point (LAP)

Control Tunnel - UDP 5246

Encrypted with DTLS (Datagram Transport Layer Security)
AP configuration and provisioning
Firmware updates and management
Keepalive messages (AP to WLC heartbeat)
Always encrypted for security

Data Tunnel - UDP 5247

Optional encryption (can be unencrypted for performance)
Client data packets tunneled to WLC
WLC performs frame conversion (802.11 → 802.3)
Can be bypassed with FlexConnect local switching
Used for centralized data plane

Split-MAC Functions

Access Point (Real-Time)	WLC (Management)
802.11 beacons	Authentication (RADIUS)
Probe responses	Association decisions
RF transmission/reception	Frame translation (802.11 ↔ 802.3)
Packet queuing	Security policy enforcement
Encryption/decryption	QoS policies
-	RF management (channel, power)

Legacy LWAPP: Older Cisco systems used LWAPP (Lightweight AP Protocol) on UDP ports 12222 (control) and 12223 (data). CAPWAP (RFC 5415/5416) is the modern standard. Make sure firewalls allow UDP 5246 and 5247 for CAPWAP!

Wi-Fi Channel Planning Tool

Design your channel layout to minimize interference:

2.4 GHz Channels (US)

Only 3 non-overlapping channels available. Click to select channels for your APs:

Ch 1
✓

Ch 2
✗

Ch 3
✗

Ch 4
✗

Ch 5
✗

Ch 6
✓

Ch 7
✗

Ch 8
✗

Ch 9
✗

Ch 10
✗

Ch 11
✓

Channel Overlap Detected!

Why only 1, 6, 11? Each 2.4 GHz channel is 22 MHz wide, but channels are spaced only 5 MHz apart. Channels 1, 6, and 11 are the only ones separated by 25 MHz (5 channels), ensuring no overlap. Using channels 2-5 or 7-10 causes interference with adjacent channels!

Your Channel Plan

Click on channels above to plan your AP deployment...

5 GHz Channels (US)

Many more non-overlapping channels available:

UNII Band	Frequency	Channels (20 MHz)	DFS Required?
UNII-1	5.150 - 5.250 GHz	36, 40, 44, 48	No
UNII-2	5.250 - 5.350 GHz	52, 56, 60, 64	Yes
UNII-2 Extended	5.470 - 5.725 GHz	100, 104, 108, ..., 144	Yes
UNII-3	5.725 - 5.825 GHz	149, 153, 157, 161, 165	No

52*

56*

60*

64*

100*

104*

149

153

157

161

165

* = DFS Required (Dynamic Frequency Selection - radar detection)

5 GHz Advantages:

24+ non-overlapping 20 MHz channels
Less interference from non-Wi-Fi devices
Higher data rates (802.11ac/ax)
Better for high-density environments

DFS (Dynamic Frequency Selection): Channels marked with * require APs to monitor for radar signals (weather radar, military). If radar is detected, the AP must immediately change to a different channel. This can cause brief client disconnections. Use non-DFS channels (36-48, 149-165) for mission-critical applications.