Dissapointed with the NWA range of access points

VTECH_UK
VTECH_UK Posts: 8
First Anniversary Friend Collector First Comment
edited August 2022 in WirelessLAN
We purchased 3 x NWA210AX units as these were marketed as being able to run in standalone mode, yet the key feature of most modern WiFi APs being 'mesh' does not function in standalone mode.

We had Cisco APs 2700s and 3700s, and they meshed in standalone mode, however it seems our move to Zyxel has shown quite a dire limitation on these 'hybrid' marketed units.

Will there be any plans to enable meshing for standalone operation of these units or are these units to be returned under the premise that they do not offer what they advertise?

I am actually quite surprised as basic meshing functionality is available in the most simple of consumer products, yet here with the business-class NWA range a very basic feature is lacking.

Please could someone shed some light on this?

Accepted Solution

  • Zyxel_Joslyn
    Zyxel_Joslyn Posts: 360  Zyxel Employee
    First Anniversary Friend Collector First Answer First Comment
    edited April 2021 Answer ✓
    Hi @VTECH_UK

    In standalone mode, we call the 'Mesh' function as 'WDS'. We can use AP to be a repeater to extend the WiFi service. Just confirm we have the same concept of Mesh.
    According to you previous response,
    ---
    one expects to achieve with their devices connected to the AP 'Mesh' is not happening here with these APs.
    ---
    Can you share with me what kind of the devices?
    Also, confirm your scenario with you. Do you want to use our AP in repeater mode and let it do roaming?
    The repeater doesn't support the roaming mechanism.  
    The purpose of WDS or Zymesh is to extend the wireless coverage, so the repeater is different from the mobile devices that can process roaming.
    The repeater behavior is as the following descriptions.
    1.     Repeaters do not have the roaming mechanism.
    2.     The repeater will connect to other root APs when the original root AP does not have the signal.
    3.     It needs 15-18s for the repeater to build the connection to other root APs.

    If the stations are kicked off very often, we suspect there might be some interferenece in the environment and cause the bad WiFi experience. We did not receive any tickets which were related with AP kicked off stations very frequency. 

    Joslyn

All Replies

  • Zyxel_Joslyn
    Zyxel_Joslyn Posts: 360  Zyxel Employee
    First Anniversary Friend Collector First Answer First Comment
    Hi @VTECH_UK

    We have mesh funciton in standalone mode which is called "WDS".

    "Mesh" is the name on our Nebula. In standalone mode, we call it WDS.
    May i know if you meet any question when established the WDS environment?

    Joslyn
  • VTECH_UK
    VTECH_UK Posts: 8
    First Anniversary Friend Collector First Comment
    I apologize for not being clearer. The APs can all see each other and are indeed 'aware' of each other, we see that in the dashboard.

    The issue is that the desired 'roaming' result one expects to achieve with their devices connected to the AP 'Mesh' is not happening here with these APs. There is a disconnect for a few seconds and a reconnect to another AP, rather than a seamless transfer.

    Also has anyone else reported a potential bug where devices are often kicked off the AP and then reconnect? the devices are stationary, within 3 or 4 metres of the APs yet they are kicked off routinely.
  • Zyxel_Joslyn
    Zyxel_Joslyn Posts: 360  Zyxel Employee
    First Anniversary Friend Collector First Answer First Comment
    edited April 2021 Answer ✓
    Hi @VTECH_UK

    In standalone mode, we call the 'Mesh' function as 'WDS'. We can use AP to be a repeater to extend the WiFi service. Just confirm we have the same concept of Mesh.
    According to you previous response,
    ---
    one expects to achieve with their devices connected to the AP 'Mesh' is not happening here with these APs.
    ---
    Can you share with me what kind of the devices?
    Also, confirm your scenario with you. Do you want to use our AP in repeater mode and let it do roaming?
    The repeater doesn't support the roaming mechanism.  
    The purpose of WDS or Zymesh is to extend the wireless coverage, so the repeater is different from the mobile devices that can process roaming.
    The repeater behavior is as the following descriptions.
    1.     Repeaters do not have the roaming mechanism.
    2.     The repeater will connect to other root APs when the original root AP does not have the signal.
    3.     It needs 15-18s for the repeater to build the connection to other root APs.

    If the stations are kicked off very often, we suspect there might be some interferenece in the environment and cause the bad WiFi experience. We did not receive any tickets which were related with AP kicked off stations very frequency. 

    Joslyn
  • VTECH_UK
    VTECH_UK Posts: 8
    First Anniversary Friend Collector First Comment
    We have done some re-configuration and are not experiencing any kick-offs now, so that is good.

    Regarding the roaming, I do understand not all devices support the roaming protocol, however the Intel ax chipset laptop does, and they are primarily what matter for laptop usage whilst moving around the premises.

    Currently the APs are configured as standalones, each AP has its own ethernet connection to the poe switch, what we are hoping for is seamless transition from AP to AP when we move roaming-compatible devices around the premises.

    So the question really is, what standalone configuration is required to achieve seamless roaming with roaming-capable devices?

    We never had to do any configuration on the Cisco units, they simply worked out of the box and roaming was seamless, we expected the Zyxels to function in similar fashion, however if specific configuration is required then I will follow the appropriate instructions given here.
  • Zyxel_Joslyn
    Zyxel_Joslyn Posts: 360  Zyxel Employee
    First Anniversary Friend Collector First Answer First Comment
    Hi @VTECH_UK

    Actually, we only need to modify the SSID name to be the same because the default SSID name is its MAC address, then mount the APs. Ensure the coverage is fine.Sometimes, it might lost one ping when the station tries to connect to the next AP. Normally, you will have seamless roaming experience. Can you share with me what configurations you modified? This will help us to realize the AP status.

    Joslyn