Overview

This technical FAQ addresses the most common pre-sales and post-sales questions from network architects and telecom engineers regarding the configuration of Bridged Mode on LAN Port 1 and Routed Wi-Fi on LAN Port 2. Whether you are evaluating hardware for a multi-service edge deployment or troubleshooting an existing stack, the answers below provide direct, actionable guidance on CLI setup, optical module compatibility, throughput limits, and high-availability failover.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: How do I configure Bridged Mode on LAN Port 1 and Routed Wi-Fi on LAN Port 2 using the CLI?

To configure Bridged Mode on LAN Port 1 and Routed Wi-Fi on LAN Port 2, you must first enter global configuration mode, assign LAN Port 1 to a bridge group, and then create a routed VLAN interface for LAN Port 2 with Wi-Fi binding. The typical CLI sequence is: configure terminal, interface lan1, bridge-group 1, exit, interface lan2, no bridge-group 1, ip address 192.168.2.1 255.255.255.0, exit, interface wifi0, bridge-group 2, exit, interface bridge-group 2, ip address 192.168.3.1 255.255.255.0. This separates Layer 2 bridged traffic on Port 1 from Layer 3 routed Wi-Fi traffic on Port 2. Always save the configuration with write memory and verify with show bridge and show ip interface brief.

Q2: Which optical transceivers (SFP/SFP+/QSFP28) are compatible with the LAN ports for bridged and routed configurations?

The LAN ports support a wide range of optical transceivers including 1G SFP, 10G SFP+, and 40G/100G QSFP28 modules, but compatibility depends on the specific port type and firmware version. For Bridged Mode on LAN Port 1, standard 1000BASE-SX/LX SFP modules are fully supported; for Routed Wi-Fi on LAN Port 2, 10GBASE-SR/LR SFP+ modules are recommended for uplink aggregation. Third-party transceivers are supported if they are MSA-compliant and coded for the correct vendor; however, unsupported or uncoded modules may be rejected. Always consult the transceiver compatibility matrix for your exact hardware revision and ensure the module temperature range matches your deployment environment.

Q3: What is the maximum throughput in Gbps for bridged LAN Port 1 and routed Wi-Fi LAN Port 2 simultaneously?

The maximum simultaneous throughput for bridged LAN Port 1 and routed Wi-Fi LAN Port 2 is typically line-rate 10 Gbps per port, with an aggregate forwarding capacity of up to 20 Gbps full-duplex when both ports are active. This assumes no oversubscription on the backplane and that the Wi-Fi radio is operating in 4x4 MU-MIMO mode with 160 MHz channels. In real-world B2B deployments, expect 8-9 Gbps of usable throughput per port after accounting for protocol overhead, QoS shaping, and encryption. For higher capacities, consider stacking multiple units or upgrading to 25G/40G uplink models.

Q4: How does the backplane capacity and stacking interface support bridged and routed traffic separation?

The backplane capacity is 80 Gbps full-duplex, and the stacking interface supports up to 4 units in a virtual chassis with 40 Gbps stacking bandwidth per member. When you configure Bridged Mode on LAN Port 1 and Routed Wi-Fi on LAN Port 2, the stacking interface carries both Layer 2 bridged frames and Layer 3 routed packets using separate VLAN tags and priority queues. This ensures that broadcast storms on the bridged segment do not impact routed Wi-Fi traffic. Stacking cables must be qualified 40G QSFP+ DACs or AOC cables, and all members must run identical firmware versions to avoid split-brain and forwarding inconsistencies.

Q5: What are the key differences between this generation and the previous generation for bridged/routed port configuration?

This generation introduces hardware-accelerated bridging and routing separation, allowing LAN Port 1 and LAN Port 2 to operate independently without CPU intervention, whereas the previous generation required software-based forwarding for mixed modes. Key differences include: (1) double the backplane capacity (80 Gbps vs 40 Gbps), (2) native support for 100G QSFP28 uplinks, (3) zero-touch provisioning for bridged/routed templates via CLI or controller, (4) improved power efficiency with 80 Plus Platinum PSUs, and (5) full compliance with IEEE 802.1Q-2018 and MEF 3.0 for carrier Ethernet services. These upgrades reduce latency by up to 40% and simplify multi-service edge deployments.

Q6: How do I troubleshoot redundant power supply failover when bridged and routed ports are active?

To troubleshoot redundant power supply failover, first verify that both PSUs are seated correctly and that the power LEDs are green; then check the event log for PSU removal or input voltage alarms. In a typical failover scenario, the active PSU transfers load to the standby PSU within 10 ms, ensuring no packet loss on bridged LAN Port 1 or routed Wi-Fi LAN Port 2. If failover fails, common causes include mismatched PSU firmware, a faulty power cord, or an overloaded standby PSU. Use the CLI commands show power, show environment, and show logging | include PSU to isolate the issue. For carrier-grade uptime, always connect each PSU to a separate UPS or power feed.

Q7: Can I stack multiple units while keeping LAN Port 1 bridged and LAN Port 2 routed across the stack?

Yes, you can stack multiple units and maintain Bridged Mode on LAN Port 1 and Routed Wi-Fi on LAN Port 2 across the entire virtual chassis. The stacking protocol synchronizes bridge groups and routed interfaces so that traffic entering any member's LAN Port 1 is bridged within the same VLAN, while traffic on any member's LAN Port 2 is routed according to the global routing table. Best practices include: (1) use a ring topology for stacking to provide redundancy, (2) configure a dedicated stacking VLAN that is not used for user traffic, (3) enable rapid spanning tree on bridged ports to prevent loops, and (4) verify that all stack members have identical QoS and ACL policies. This design delivers high availability and simplifies management for multi-service edge deployments.

Q8: What firmware and licensing options are required to enable routed Wi-Fi on LAN Port 2?

To enable Routed Wi-Fi on LAN Port 2, you need firmware version 10.2 or later and a Layer 3 Advanced license, which unlocks OSPF, BGP, VRRP, and multicast routing. The base license only supports static routing and bridged mode. Licensing is per-device and can be applied via the CLI using license install or through the cloud management portal. After installing the license, reboot the device and verify with show license and show ip route. For high-availability deployments, ensure all stack members have the same license level to avoid feature mismatches during failover. Firmware upgrades should be performed during a maintenance window and validated against the transceiver compatibility matrix.