Wireless Mesh Configuration from single AP Group

Summary:

This document explains the configuration of Mesh Base & Mesh Client from single AP Group.

Network topology:

DHCP server/Gateway (VLAN 1-native) ßàSwitch ßà E430W (Mesh base)ßàE430W (Mesh Client).

Solution:

By having Mesh Base & Mesh Client AP in a single AP group, we can monitor alarm & statistics, configure, and upgrade firmware of all APs which are part of the Wi-Fi network from the AP Group.

Prerequisites:

We need at least two cnPilot enterprise AP. Both APs should be out of box or in factory default state. Switch should have DHCP server on native VLAN 1. If switch has DHCP server on the VLAN other than native VLAN 1, APs should be preconfigured from the GUI to get connectivity to the cnMaestro cloud. Both the APs should be connected to the switch and on-boarded to the cnMaestro while configuration push from the cnMaestro.

Create WLAN & AP Group:

Navigate to Configuration > WLANs and AP Groups>WLANs. Add “New WLAN”.

Select product Type “cnPilot enterprise”. Configure WLAN name, SSID, Mesh “Client”, VLAN “1”, Passphrase, Radios, and save the WLAN configuration.

Add “New WLAN”. Select product Type “cnPilot enterprise”. Configure WLAN name, SSID, Mesh “Base”, VLAN “1”, Passphrase, Radios, and save the WLAN configuration. SSID, VLAN, passphrase, radios configuration should match with Client WLAN.

Enable “Mesh Auto Detect Backhaul”. This feature will help AP to detect the wired backhaul and based on status of ethernet connectivity Mesh client WLAN gets enable or disable. Mesh client WLAN will disable/ do not scan for base AP until AP connected to the switch (wired network). It will start scanning for a base AP as soon as ethernet connectivity fail or if we disconnect AP from switch/wired network to have wireless mesh link to mesh base AP.

Navigate to Configuration > WLANs and AP Groups>AP Groups. Add “New Group”.

Select Product Type “cnPilot enterprise”. Configure AP Group name, Country of operation.

Select option “Add WLAN”.

Select & Add the WLAN “Mesh Client”.

Then Add WLAN “Mesh Base”.

Notes: Mesh Client WLAN must be on top of the WLAN order in the AP Group.

Navigate to Manage>Networks > default (or specific network)> Configuration. Select specific AP and Modify the name. Then save the configuration without selecting the AP group. This will help to confirm, which is Base AP & which Client AP.

Again, navigate to Manage>Networks > default (or specific network)> Configuration. Select Device Type & AP Group, select both the devices, and Apply Configuration.

Configuration has been pushed. Need to verify Sync Status “In Sync” and Status “Online” as below.

Under network tree, device icon shows symbol “E” when AP is contacted to the cnMaestro through the ethernet port. In other work, this will be seen on the Base AP which is connected to a switch/any network device to get uplink.

As of now, both the APs are connected to the switch. So, Mesh Client WLAN on both APs will not scan for the Base AP. Link status will show “DOWN” on both APs.

Now, we need to disconnect Client AP from the switch and power it up using POE injector. As soon as we disconnect the Mesh Client AP from the switch, Ethernet port will go down. Then, Mesh Client WLAN will enable and start scanning for a Mesh Base AP. Link will be formed between these APs.

Navigate to Manage>Network>Select Base AP>Mesh Peers. Here we can see status of the Mesh link.

Once Mesh link formed, Mesh Client AP will no longer contact cnMaestro through ethernet port and device icon under network tree stops showing symbol “E”.

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