Smart Mesh, wireelss bridge, or other setup

SirWeazel
SirWeazel Posts: 3  Freshman Member
First Comment

I currently have 2 NWA50AX access points. I have 1 upstairs (I'll call this 1U) and 1 downstairs (1D). These are both hardwired into a network switch. I want to extend the wireless to a location i can not run cable to (outside garage building I'll call 1G). The garage has about the same signal strength and distance to both hard wired access points. Ideally I want 1G to be able to switch automatically as needed to either 1U or 1D in case of power issues,reboots,or firmware updates. Is this a good case for smart mesh or would another configuration be needed (maybe a wireless bridge config). I would want to make sure the hardwired connections are utilized on the 1U and 1D access points. Reading about other mesh technologies, i wasn't sure what would happen, and i'm afraid 1U and 1D would mesh together, and the wired backbone would only be used on 1 of the 2 access points. Thanks in advance for the help. My plan is to get another NWA50AX for this. I currently utilize another brand device as a wireless bridge to extend the network to the garage into a switch (but not any SSIDs) and then i just use ethernet off the switch in the garage. But this isn't very flexible and I ideally want this 3rd location to have the same SSID as elsewhere. If better i can designate 1U or 1D as the main connection if needed.

Best Answers

  • Zyxel_Melen
    Zyxel_Melen Posts: 3,015  Zyxel Employee
    Zyxel Certified Network Engineer Level 1 - Switch Zyxel Certified Network Administrator - Switch Zyxel Certified Network Administrator - Nebula Zyxel Certified Sales Associate
    Answer ✓

    Hi @SirWeazel,

    No, 1U and 1D won't mesh together since they are wired/connected with cable. The newly added AP, 1G, will connect to 1U or 1D via wireless, a smart mesh repeater, and broadcast the same SSID. If you want to set another SSID configuration, please feel free to check Nebula AP FAQ.

    Nebula FAQ - Zyxel Community

    Zyxel Melen


  • Zyxel_Melen
    Zyxel_Melen Posts: 3,015  Zyxel Employee
    Zyxel Certified Network Engineer Level 1 - Switch Zyxel Certified Network Administrator - Switch Zyxel Certified Network Administrator - Nebula Zyxel Certified Sales Associate
    Answer ✓

    Hi @SirWeazel ,

    Normally, the repeater AP will choose its root AP with the best signal strength, the default behavior. You can also set up a root AP forcibly. In your scenario, I think using the default behavior is good.

    Zyxel Melen


All Replies

  • Zyxel_Melen
    Zyxel_Melen Posts: 3,015  Zyxel Employee
    Zyxel Certified Network Engineer Level 1 - Switch Zyxel Certified Network Administrator - Switch Zyxel Certified Network Administrator - Nebula Zyxel Certified Sales Associate
    Answer ✓

    Hi @SirWeazel,

    No, 1U and 1D won't mesh together since they are wired/connected with cable. The newly added AP, 1G, will connect to 1U or 1D via wireless, a smart mesh repeater, and broadcast the same SSID. If you want to set another SSID configuration, please feel free to check Nebula AP FAQ.

    Nebula FAQ - Zyxel Community

    Zyxel Melen


  • SirWeazel
    SirWeazel Posts: 3  Freshman Member
    First Comment

    Thank you. The next day after asking my question i dug into the docs and some other forums posts a little more. I think i have a better understanding now. I'll be trying it out shortly.

    Do i have to designate a root AP, or will the newly added AP pick the one with the best signal strength. I thought i saw somewhere you can designate a 1 root AP, but you don't have to? Is that correct?

  • Zyxel_Melen
    Zyxel_Melen Posts: 3,015  Zyxel Employee
    Zyxel Certified Network Engineer Level 1 - Switch Zyxel Certified Network Administrator - Switch Zyxel Certified Network Administrator - Nebula Zyxel Certified Sales Associate
    Answer ✓

    Hi @SirWeazel ,

    Normally, the repeater AP will choose its root AP with the best signal strength, the default behavior. You can also set up a root AP forcibly. In your scenario, I think using the default behavior is good.

    Zyxel Melen


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