Uplink Interface goes down when Configuring WDS Link between two NWA130BE APs

Options
howax
howax Posts: 4 image  Freshman Member
First Comment Friend Collector
in Wireless

Hello

First post, so here goes.

I have recently purchased 2 NWA130BE APs and I am attempting to configure them standalone in this simple topology:

Internet —> gateway —> XMG105HP —> AP —> WLAN —> AP (+PoE injector)

The APs are now running firmware 7.20 but out of box they were running an earlier version - sorry, I don't recall which version that was.

Prior to upgrading the firmware I had successfully configured a WDS on the 5G band but since the upgrade I have met with no success. Whenever I attempt to set one up the UPLINK interface on the repeater AP goes down and the only way that I can connect to the repeater AP is by connecting a computer to the LAN interface! I suspect there's a bug here somewhere but I'm new to Zyxel kit (though not to networking). Would someone be able to help me get this working, please?

Thanks

howax

Accepted Solution

All Replies

  • Zyxel_Barry
    Zyxel_Barry Posts: 120 image  Zyxel Community Virtual Assistant
    5 Answers First Comment Friend Collector

    Hi @howax,

    Thank you for reaching out to the Zyxel Community. I understand you're experiencing an issue with the uplink interface going down on your repeater NWA130BE AP after a firmware upgrade to version 7.20, specifically when configuring a Wireless Distribution System (WDS) link.

    Here's a step-by-step guide to configure a WDS link between two standalone NWA130BE APs, which might help resolve the issue:

    • Connect all APs to the switch via Ethernet. Ensure both NWA130BE APs are initially connected to your XMG105HP switch via Ethernet.
    • Configure Static IP Addresses. Go to CONFIGURATION > Network > IP Setting on both APs and configure them with static IP addresses.
    • Configure WDS Profile. Navigate to CONFIGURATION > Object > WDS Profile > WDS on both APs. Configure a WDS SSID and ensure the WDS SSID and Pre-Shared Key are identical on both devices.
    • Configure Root AP. On the AP that will act as the root, go to CONFIGURATION > Wireless > AP Management > WLAN Setting. Set the Radio 1 (5G band in your case) OP Mode as "Root AP" and choose the WDS Profile you configured.
    • Configure Repeater AP. On the AP that will act as the repeater, go to CONFIGURATION > Wireless > AP Management > WLAN Setting. Set the Radio 1 OP Mode as "Repeater" and choose the same WDS Profile.
    • Disconnect and Reboot Repeater AP. Once configured, disconnect the Ethernet cable from the Repeater AP and boot it up in its intended location.
    • Verification.
      • On the Root AP, go to MONITOR > Wireless > WDS Downlink Info to verify if you see the Repeater AP's MAC address.
      • On the Repeater AP, go to MONITOR > Wireless > WDS Uplink Info to verify if you see the Root AP's MAC address.

    If the issue persists after following these steps, please provide the following information to help us investigate further:

    • Screenshots of the WDS configuration pages from both the Root and Repeater APs.
    • A screenshot of the MONITOR > Wireless > WDS Uplink Info page from the repeater AP when the uplink goes down.
    • The exact firmware version that was running on the APs prior to the upgrade when WDS was working.
    • A more detailed network topology map, including IP addresses of the gateway, XMG105HP, and both NWA130BE APs.

    This AI response aims to provide initial troubleshooting steps and identify information needed for further diagnosis. Feel free to share additional details based on the suggestions above — this will help community members offer more targeted assistance.
    If you have feedback or idea about this AI assistant, share them in Community Feedback.

  • Zyxel_Melen
    Zyxel_Melen Posts: 4,535 image  Zyxel Employee
    Zyxel Certified Network Engineer Level 1 - Switch Zyxel Certified Network Administrator - Switch Zyxel Certified Network Administrator - Nebula Zyxel Certified Sales Associate

    Hi @howax

    Regarding your description of the behavior, may I know:

    1. Can you find the repeater AP on the root AP WDS link info table? (Menu > Monitor > Wireless > WDS Link Info)
    2. Did you enable wireless bridge on the repeater AP?

    After WDS mesh set, you should able to access the repeater AP without connect to it. If you can't access it, you might need to check the WDS link status. It normally due to the link's signal strength is poor. To have good signal strength, please ensure the signal strength > -65 dBm.

    If you enable wireless bridge on the repeater AP, the uplink interface will only enable PoE function. It will not link up.

    Zyxel Melen


  • howax
    howax Posts: 4 image  Freshman Member
    First Comment Friend Collector
    edited January 15

    Hi @Zyxel_Melen

    Thanks for your reply.

    In answer to your questions:

    1. After configuring the WDS link on radio 2 (5G), the root AP can see the repeater. However, as soon as the link is established the UPLINK i/f on the repeater goes down and I have to switch the PC connection from the IN port of the injector to the LAN1 i/f of the AP. I can connect to the root from the PC connected to LAN1 on the repeater but I cannot connect to the repeater from the PC connected to the wired network at the root AP. I was able to do this before I upgraded the f/w.
    2. Wireless bridge is not (and has never been) enabled at the repeater - I do not need nor intend to use this feature at this time.

    Unfortunately, I did not make a note of the f/w version prior to upgrade but I have a hunch it may have been 7.15. I have attached a number of screenshots which go some way to illustrate the behaviour - filenames including pre are before the WDS is configured and established, those with post are after configuration and all include a date and time (GMT). If you need more information, please let me know and I'll do my best to help.

    Many thanks

    howax

  • Zyxel_Melen
    Zyxel_Melen Posts: 4,535 image  Zyxel Employee
    Zyxel Certified Network Engineer Level 1 - Switch Zyxel Certified Network Administrator - Switch Zyxel Certified Network Administrator - Nebula Zyxel Certified Sales Associate
    edited January 15

    Hi @howax

    Thanks for your update! Let me build a lab first to check if we need more details from you. Will keep you posted.

    In addition, the screenshots were removed by me since some contains device info.

    Zyxel Melen


  • Zyxel_Melen
    Zyxel_Melen Posts: 4,535 image  Zyxel Employee
    Zyxel Certified Network Engineer Level 1 - Switch Zyxel Certified Network Administrator - Switch Zyxel Certified Network Administrator - Nebula Zyxel Certified Sales Associate

    Hi @howax

    My local lab test is able to access the repeater AP via wireless, so I think this is not a firmware issue.

    Could you help to do some test?

    1. Please help to ping the repeater AP from the client. (Also, may I know the client's IP that you can't access the repeater? Just want to clarify if the case is cross subnet or same subnet.)
    2. Please help to take the repeater AP near the
    3. If the results of the above are negative, please help to collect the diagnostic file from two AP for us to check. I will send you a private message for you to share it.
    https://community.zyxel.com/en/discussion/18869/how-to-collect-the-standalone-ap-diagnostic-info-by-gui
    Zyxel Melen


  • howax
    howax Posts: 4 image  Freshman Member
    First Comment Friend Collector

    Hi @Zyxel_Melen

    Thanks for your reply and for attempting to reproduce my problem.

    All of the devices are on a single network n.n.n.n/24, no subnetting. I'll include details in the private message.

    For these tests I have positioned the root and repeater less than 1 metre apart. I can ping the repeater from a client wired to the LAN1 port of the repeater but not if it's connected through the PoE injector to the UPLINK port. I am unable to ping the repeater via a wireless connection to the root AP and neither can I ping the root from the client connected to the repeater. The repeater currently has no active SSIDs configured - I'm just trying to get the WDS working again.

    Thanks very much for your help - I'll send the diagnostics to you in a private message shortly.

    howax

    PS Yesterday I used the CLI to attempt to bring the UPLINK i/f up manually but none of the commands I used recognized any of the i/f names I used.

  • Zyxel_Melen
    Zyxel_Melen Posts: 4,535 image  Zyxel Employee
    Zyxel Certified Network Engineer Level 1 - Switch Zyxel Certified Network Administrator - Switch Zyxel Certified Network Administrator - Nebula Zyxel Certified Sales Associate
    Answer ✓

    Update:

    We have identify this issue and it is fixed in firmware V7.30 patch 2.

    [Release Note] Zyxel BE Series Access Point - V7.30 Patch 2 firmware has been released — Zyxel Community

    Anyone encounters similar issue, please try to upgrade to the latest firmware first.

    Zyxel Melen


Categories

Wireless Help Center

EnglishTiếng ViệtРусскийไทย中文（台灣）