WLAN with NWA55AXE

Niro96

Is it possible to operate the NWA55AXE as a WLAN amplifier without a LAN connection? I don't have a LAN connection in the garden house.

greeting
Marcus

Zyxel_Judy

Hello,

Yes, all Zyxel access points, including the NWA55AXE, can function as a Repeater AP (essentially a WLAN amplifier without a direct LAN connection) as long as there is another Zyxel AP serving as the Root AP.

To help you set up a mesh (wireless connection) between two Zyxel APs, we have FAQs tailored for different modes of operation:

1. Standalone mode: How to set up the ZyMesh of APs managed by the controller? — Zyxel Community
2. Nebula cloud mode: [Nebula] How to extend wireless coverage by configure smart mesh? — Zyxel Community
3. Controller mode: How to set up the ZyMesh of APs managed by the controller? — Zyxel Community

Zyxel_Judy

Hi @Niro96 ,

We would like to explain the workings of the smart mesh and wireless bridge mechanism.

As of now, if a repeater AP with wireless bridge enabled connects to a root AP that does not support this function (such as the NWA50AX PRO in your scenario), the repeater AP will attempt to utilize the wireless bridge feature. However, due to the root AP's lack of support, the repeater AP will disconnect from it after 30 minutes to search for other root APs that support wireless bridge.

If the repeater AP fails to find any suitable root APs in the current network environment, it will eventually reconnect to the original root AP. This process results in the issue you've observed.

To avoid this, please disable the wireless bridge function if it is not required. It's crucial to note that for the wireless bridge feature to work properly, both the root AP and the repeater AP must support the wireless bridge functionality.

Niro96

I think the WX3100-T0 is in this situation better.

Zyxel_Judy

Hello,

Yes, all Zyxel access points, including the NWA55AXE, can function as a Repeater AP (essentially a WLAN amplifier without a direct LAN connection) as long as there is another Zyxel AP serving as the Root AP.

To help you set up a mesh (wireless connection) between two Zyxel APs, we have FAQs tailored for different modes of operation:

1. Standalone mode: How to set up the ZyMesh of APs managed by the controller? — Zyxel Community
2. Nebula cloud mode: [Nebula] How to extend wireless coverage by configure smart mesh? — Zyxel Community
3. Controller mode: How to set up the ZyMesh of APs managed by the controller? — Zyxel Community

Niro96

Thanks for the reply. I had already tried these options yesterday without instructions.
Maybe I made a mistake. A question about the instructions for Nebula cloud mode.
The step is to deactivate the downlink mesh on the AP. Where do you find this setting?
And does LAN mean the AP or the repeater?

greeting Marcus

Zyxel_Judy

Hi @Niro96 ,

The step is to deactivate the downlink mesh on the AP. Where do you find this setting?

Device > Access points > AP information page > Status > Smart mesh.

If you wish to prevent any Repeater AP from connecting to this AP, please disable the Downlink feature.

And does LAN mean the AP or the repeater?

I'm not entirely clear on your question. Just as a reminder, Nebula's Smart Mesh allows you to connect two or more APs wirelessly, without the need for Ethernet cables.

Niro96

Many thanks for the answer. Based on the screenshots I can understand where I have to set it.
I'll adjust the setting tonight. And I'll get back to you about this later.
The question "And does LAN mean the AP or the repeater?" was wrong. 😉

Niro96

Many thanks for the help. It works.
greeting
Marcus

Niro96

With the settings I have made, I have regular connection failures.
Could it be due to the distance between the root AP and the NWA55AXE?

Niro96

Even after I reduced the distance, the NWA55AXE stopped working regularly.

greetings Marcus

Niro96

Hello,

I have now deactivated the wireless bridge mode. Now it runs without any problems.

greeting
Marcus

Zyxel_Judy

Hi @Niro96 ,

We would like to explain the workings of the smart mesh and wireless bridge mechanism.

As of now, if a repeater AP with wireless bridge enabled connects to a root AP that does not support this function (such as the NWA50AX PRO in your scenario), the repeater AP will attempt to utilize the wireless bridge feature. However, due to the root AP's lack of support, the repeater AP will disconnect from it after 30 minutes to search for other root APs that support wireless bridge.

If the repeater AP fails to find any suitable root APs in the current network environment, it will eventually reconnect to the original root AP. This process results in the issue you've observed.

To avoid this, please disable the wireless bridge function if it is not required. It's crucial to note that for the wireless bridge feature to work properly, both the root AP and the repeater AP must support the wireless bridge functionality.