Configuring Wireless Virtual Access Points

A Virtual Access Point is a multiplexed instantiation of a single physical Access Point (AP) so that it presents itself as multiple discrete Access Points. To wireless LAN clients, each Virtual AP appears to be an independent physical AP, when in actuality there is only a single physical AP.

The following are required areas of configuration for VAP deployment:

1	Zone - The zone is the backbone of your VAP configuration. Each zone you create has its own security and access control settings and you can create and apply multiple zones to a single physical interface by way of Wireless Subnets.

2	Wireless Interface - The W0 interface (and its WLAN subnets) represent the physical connections between the SonicWALL firewall appliance and the internal wireless radio. Individual zone settings are applied to these interfaces and forwarded to the wireless radio.

3

DHCP Server - The DHCP server assigns leased IP addresses to users within specified ranges, known as “Scopes.” The default ranges for DHCP scopes are often excessive for the needs of most wireless deployments, for instance, a scope of 200 addresses for an interface that will only use 30. Because of this, DHCP ranges must be set carefully in order to ensure the available lease scope is not exhausted.

4	Virtual Access Point Profile - The VAP Profile feature allows for creation of wireless configuration profiles which can be easily applied to new wireless Virtual Access Points as needed.

5	Virtual Access Point - The VAP Objects feature allows for setup of general VAP settings. SSID and wireless subnet name are configured through VAP Settings.

6	Virtual Access Point Group - The VAP Group feature allows for grouping of multiple VAP objects to be simultaneously applied to a single internal wireless radio.

7	Assign VAP Group to Internal Wireless Radio- The VAP Group is applied to the internal wireless radio and made available to users through multiple SSIDs.