NWA50AX + Nebula WIFI password is rejected, iPad,Iphone

twiggy

I have a very stable wi-if network consisting of 2 x NWA50AX and 1 x BT Hub, all using the same SSID and WPA2 password. All working fine, all using different channels for 2.4 & 5ghz.
I recently added another NWA50AX and provisioned via NCC, all seemed ok, firmware updates, configuration loaded, clients connected ok using the same SSID & passcode. 6 hours later its a very different situation, iPad and iPhone both report no internet connection, I turn off wi-fi on the devices and re select the SSID I’m using, enter the passcode, iPhone & iPad reject the passcode. After 3 x attempts I give up and turn off the new NWA50AX, everything returns to normal.

I have reset and reprovisioned the device twice now, with the exact same issue returning, does anyone have any idea what’s happening? Do you think the device is faulty?

Zyxel_Jay

Hello Twiggy

Welcome to Zyxel Community

According to your article, I use three NWA50AX AP to set up with the same SSID, the same WPA2, and one of them is NCC mode and two of them are standalone mode. I use iPhone,iPad, and window PC to connect SSID, they all connect to Internet fine.

For your issue, we need to check it further and analyze the cause of the problem. Please let three AP online and provide the org/site name and enable Zyxel support(Help > Support request).

  Additionally, if possible, you can do a simple check for us. Let one of 2 x NWA50X disconnect, and let New AP online. Observe if it works normally.

 

Thank you.

Zyxel Jay

Zyxel_Jay

HI twiggy

I've observed some logs on Nebula and they show that your device is roaming a lot and death with Auth Timeout. Maybe your AP settings are too close and the environment is a bit messy. There are some suggestions for improving the environment.

PATH: Access Point>Configure>Radio Settings

1. Adjust Maximum Output Power > Change Custom --> High-Density Deployment

    If your AP is too close, lowering the power can reduce interference

2.Channel width 5GHz 80MHz-->40MHz 

   Reduce 5G interference

3. Avoid 5G DFS channels --> Disable

4. Disable Smart Steering

   The device is smarter than before. So disabling this feature allows the device to choose when to         connect or disconnect.

If it doesn't work well, we can discuss other ways to improve it.

Zyxel_Jay

Zyxel_Jay

Hi Twiggy

Welcome to Zyxel Community

I've also observed your AP Channel Utilization is too high.

There are some suggestions for improving the environment.

PATH: Access Point>Configure>Radio Settings

1.     2.4 GHz channel deployment three-Channel Deployment>Manual channel 1 ~ 13

2.     Adjust WLAN Rate Control Setting

2.4Ghz>1Mbp-->5Mbps

3.  One of AP is fixed with thirteen channels, change it to enable DCS.

Thank you 

Zyxel_Jay

Zyxel_Jay

Yes, I see you have set it well, this setting can let some lower speed frame faster.

Zyxel_Jay

Hello Twiggy

Welcome to Zyxel Community

According to your article, I use three NWA50AX AP to set up with the same SSID, the same WPA2, and one of them is NCC mode and two of them are standalone mode. I use iPhone,iPad, and window PC to connect SSID, they all connect to Internet fine.

For your issue, we need to check it further and analyze the cause of the problem. Please let three AP online and provide the org/site name and enable Zyxel support(Help > Support request).

  Additionally, if possible, you can do a simple check for us. Let one of 2 x NWA50X disconnect, and let New AP online. Observe if it works normally.

 

Thank you.

Zyxel Jay

twiggy

I sent the third device back to Amazon, I had the same issue with the remaining 2 x NWA50X
Org Name: Kreative Systems and Services

PEACEkeeper

I have the same issue with a NWA50AX.
My setup contains 3 of them. Two are wired and the third one is connected using the smart mesh technology.

I consider that the problem only affects the third AP!
When changing some configuration (stupid things like adding and removing a tag to the AP), the configuration of the device gets outdated and the NWA50AX is fetching the new one from NCC.
After this, all my iOS device can connect properly to the affected SSID.
But after a while, with out any changes to the setup or the iOS devices, the problem appears again. 

As this third AP is covering a very small area where no ethernet cable exists, it is necessary to use the smart mesh technology.

Please, can some one from Zyxel check the logs to be able to solve this problem?

Thanks

Zyxel_Jay

HI twiggy

I've observed some logs on Nebula and they show that your device is roaming a lot and death with Auth Timeout. Maybe your AP settings are too close and the environment is a bit messy. There are some suggestions for improving the environment.

PATH: Access Point>Configure>Radio Settings

1. Adjust Maximum Output Power > Change Custom --> High-Density Deployment

    If your AP is too close, lowering the power can reduce interference

2.Channel width 5GHz 80MHz-->40MHz 

   Reduce 5G interference

3. Avoid 5G DFS channels --> Disable

4. Disable Smart Steering

   The device is smarter than before. So disabling this feature allows the device to choose when to         connect or disconnect.

If it doesn't work well, we can discuss other ways to improve it.

Zyxel_Jay

twiggy

Thanks Jay - I have made the configuration changes you outlined and I'll post the results in a few days.

Zyxel_Jay

Hi Twiggy

Welcome to Zyxel Community

I've also observed your AP Channel Utilization is too high.

There are some suggestions for improving the environment.

PATH: Access Point>Configure>Radio Settings

1.     2.4 GHz channel deployment three-Channel Deployment>Manual channel 1 ~ 13

2.     Adjust WLAN Rate Control Setting

2.4Ghz>1Mbp-->5Mbps

3.  One of AP is fixed with thirteen channels, change it to enable DCS.

Thank you 

Zyxel_Jay

twiggy

ok, done wasn't too sure about the 2.4ghz WLAN rate setting, it was on 1mbps, did you mean change it to 5mbps?

Zyxel_Jay

Yes, I see you have set it well, this setting can let some lower speed frame faster.

PEACEkeeper

@Zyxel_Jay

I found out, that the problem appears after the DCS schedule in the night.
And it affects only the AP which is connected using the mesh.

Zyxel_Jay

@PEACEkeeper
Welcome Zyxel Community

Sorry about missing your previous question 

DCS is a mechanism. The AP determines which channel is currently idle, and then the AP selects the channel so that the AP can avoid the unstable transmission rate caused by the channel being busy.

The duration of DCS is about a few minutes. And repeater AP will follow the Root AP to update its channel. If it will affect your use, there are two suggestions below.

1. Adjust the DCS Schedule time when no one is using it.

2. Turn on the DCS client aware function, this function can be used by someone, and DCS will not update the channel. (If you always use WIFI, DCS can't update to idle channel it would affect your AP radio performance.)

All settings can find with the path.(Access Point >Configure>Radio Settings)

Zyxel_Jay