Which mode allows an AP to locally switch traffic between a VLAN and SSID when the connection to the WLC is down?

FlexConnect Mode is designed to enable an Access Point (AP) to locally switch traffic between a VLAN and a WLAN (SSID) even when it is disconnected from the Wireless LAN Controller (WLC). This is particularly useful in scenarios where the connection to the WLC becomes temporarily unavailable, as it allows the AP to maintain the functionality of the network by locally handling traffic.

In FlexConnect Mode, the AP can use local switching, which means that data traffic is forwarded directly to the designated VLAN without needing to go back to the WLC. This capability helps improve performance and reduces latency, as the traffic does not need to traverse the possibly congested link back to the controller for switching. Furthermore, it allows for continued network services—such as client authentication and user sessions—to function on the local AP, thereby ensuring minimal disruption to users.

Other modes have specific roles that do not provide this local switching capability in the event of WLC connectivity loss. For example, Monitor Mode focuses on passive monitoring of wireless traffic to detect issues but does not facilitate user data handling. Sniffer Mode is used for capturing MAC layer frames for troubleshooting but is not intended for normal AP operation. Local Mode involves the AP actively communicating with the WLC for user data and does not