在讨论无线的时候，通常都会问到：“瘦AP都有些什么功能？” 或者 “AP和WLC各负责什么？”

瘦AP一般的功能包括：

Real-Time 802.11/MAC Functionality:

• Beacon Generation
• Probe Response
• Power management/Packet buffering
• 802.11e/WMM scheduling, queueing
• MAC layer data encryption/decryption
• 802.11 control messages
• Data Encapsulation/De-Encapsulation
• Translational Bridging (H-REAP Local Switching)
• Fragmentation/De-Fragmentation

其余剩下的功能都由WLC完成，包括但不限于：

Non Real-Time 802.11/MAC Functionality:

• Association/Disassociation/Reassociation requests/response
• 802.11e/WMM (Wi-fi Multimedia)
• 802.1X/EAP (Port based authentication)
• Key management
• 802.11 Distribution Services
• 802.11 STA (Client/Station) Services (Auth/Deauth/Privacy)
• Wired/Wireless Integration Services