Setting a WLAN Zone to Layer 2 Bridged Mode

In addition to being able to support static IP address assignment on a WLAN zone interface, you can also bridge a WLAN zone interface to another interface. When a WLAN interface is bridged to a LAN/DMZ interface, the LAN/DMZ interface becomes the primary bridge interface, and the WLAN interface becomes the secondary bridged interface, as illustrated below:

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Zone: set to WLAN
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IP Assignment: set to Layer 2 Bridged Mode
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Parent Interface: is X4:V1, which is the WLAN interface on which this dialog was opened.
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Bridged to: is set to X5:100, which is the LAN interface.

When you set the IP Assignment to Layer 2 Bridge Mode, the WLAN interface becomes the secondary bridge interface to the primary bridge interface to which it is paired in the Bridged to: box. In this case, the WLAN interface, X4:V1, becomes the secondary bridge interface, and the LAN interface, X5:V100, becomes the primary bridge interface.

The resulting Bridge-Pair is a two-port learning bridge with full Layer 2 transparency. All IP traffic that passes though the bridge is subjected to a full stateful, deep-packet inspection.

After the Bridge-Pair is created, the Network > Interfaces screen displays the primary and secondary bridge interface designations as shown in this graphic.

Set WLAN Zone to Layer 2 Bridge Mode
To set a WLAN zone to Layer 2 Bridge Mode:
1
On the SonicWall Security appliance, go to Network > Interfaces.
2
On the interface you want to set to Layer 2 Bridge Mode, click the Configure icon. (This interface becomes the secondary bridge interface.)
3
In the Interface Settings dialog, set the Zone to WLAN.
4
Set the Mode / IP Assignment box to Layer 2 Bridge Mode.
5
Set the Bridged to: box to the interface you want. (This interface becomes the primary bridge interface.)