In a split-MAC deployment, which function is performed by the Wireless LAN Controller?

In a split-MAC deployment, which function is performed by the Wireless LAN Controller?

• A. Packet prioritization
• B. Resource reservation
• C. Encryption
• D. Authentication

Answer: (B)

In a split-MAC setup, the Wireless LAN Controller handles the control plane, coordinating how network resources are used across all access points. This central control enables the controller to implement QoS policies, admission control, and scheduling decisions that set aside or allocate bandwidth and airtime for different traffic classes. That ability to reserve and manage resources across the network is the key function the controller provides in this architecture, ensuring certain flows get the necessary capacity and priority. While encryption and authentication are important security tasks (involving key management and verifying identities) and packet prioritization can occur in the data plane at the APs, the distinctive role of the controller in split-MAC is to reserve and allocate resources to meet QoS requirements network-wide.

In a split-MAC setup, the Wireless LAN Controller handles the control plane, coordinating how network resources are used across all access points. This central control enables the controller to implement QoS policies, admission control, and scheduling decisions that set aside or allocate bandwidth and airtime for different traffic classes. That ability to reserve and manage resources across the network is the key function the controller provides in this architecture, ensuring certain flows get the necessary capacity and priority.

While encryption and authentication are important security tasks (involving key management and verifying identities) and packet prioritization can occur in the data plane at the APs, the distinctive role of the controller in split-MAC is to reserve and allocate resources to meet QoS requirements network-wide.