How does a WLC switch packets?
A. All the client (802.11) packets are encapsulated in a LWAPP packet by the LAP and sent to the WLC. WLC descapsulates the LWAPP packet and acts based on the destination IP address in the 802.11 packet. If the destination is one of the wireless clients associated to the WLC, it encapsulates the packet again with the LWAPP and sends it to the LAP of the client, where it is decapsulated and sent to the wireless client. If the destination is on the wired side of the network, it removes the 802.11 header, adds the Ethernet header, and forwards the packet to the connected switch, from where it is sent to the wired client. When a packet comes from the wired side, WLC removes the Ethernet header, adds the 802.11 header, encapsulates it with LWAPP, and sends it to the LAP, where it is decapsulated, and the 802.11 packet is delivered to the wireless client. For more information about this, refer to the LWAPP Fundamentals section of the document Deploying Cisco 440X Series Wireless LAN Controll
