what is wds bridging

WDS stands for Wireless Distribution System, which is a feature that enables single-radio APs to be wirelessly interconnected instead of using a wired Ethernet. WDS can be used to provide two modes of wireless AP-to-AP connectivity: Wireless Bridging, in which WDS APs communicate only with each other and don’t allow wireless clients or Stations (STA) to access them, and Wireless Repeating, in which APs communicate with each other and with wireless STAs. A WDS expands a wireless network through multiple access points, and a wireless base station connects to the Internet, can have wired and wireless clients, and sends its wireless signal to an access point that functions as a wireless repeater. To set up WDS bridging, both access points must meet certain conditions, such as having the same SSID, wireless channel, encryption mode, and IP subnet.