Question : Problem: WAP200 in Cisco 3560 disabling port

We just bought a Linksys WAP200 so we can set up a printer wirelessly. The problem is that when we connect the WAP200 into the network (Cisco 3560), it shuts off the port.

We have went through the configuration on both ends, but are not sure why this would shut down the port. We have even set up the port to be an access point, but it still shuts down.

Is there something we are missing?

Answer : Problem: WAP200 in Cisco 3560 disabling port

Okay, Spanning Tree is used by switches and bridges to eliminate loops in networks. It does this to prevent (among other things) a broadcast storm. Spanning Tree uses a BPDU (Bridge Protocol Data Unit) as it's "heartbeat" to find these loops.

Somewhere along the line, someone configured a feature known as "BPDU Guard" on the port in question. What BPDU Guard does in tell the switch that if a BPDU ever comes in this port, shut it down. One of the reasons this is done is to prevent someone from connecting an authorized switch to the network.

In your case, one of two things is happening;

1) Your WAP is also a switch and is sending out BPDU's
2) Your WAP is hearing BPDU's from another WAP and is forwarding those to the switch.

I'm pretty sure it's number 1. The fix is quite simple.

config t
int f0/31
 shut
 no spanning-tree bpduguard
 no shut
 end