Assistance Configuring Zyxel NWA55AXE

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JRJSmith
JRJSmith Posts: 5 image  Freshman Member
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in Wireless

Good afternoon,

I am seeking some assistance with configuring my two Zyxel NWA55AXE devices using Web Browser control - I do not want local control - not cloud control.

Currently, I use Devolo powerline devices to provide the connection between the house and the garage but "noise" on the power circuit makes connection unreliable. I would like to replace the Devolo devices with Zyxel NWA55AXE devices.

All my Wi-Fi and Ethernet cabled network devices use a /22 supernet

I would like to connect one NWA55AXE via Ethernet cable to my Cisco SG300-28 LAN switch, which also has an eero mesh network hub connected to it and a Zyxel PoE switch that provides power and data connections to my house security cameras.

I would like to use the other AP to act as a WiFi bridge to Ethernet on another Zyxel PoE switch in the garage, which supplies power and data to the NWA66AXE and to the security cameras on the garage.

I have considered connecting the twp APs using Mesh or a Root AP to Repeater arrangement.

I would like the NWA55AXEs to use the same SSID and security credentials as my eero mesh network.

I have been trying to get a step-by-step configuration for both my NWA55AXE devices to meet my requirements.

Unfortunately, the Zyxel Tobi avatar supplied erroneous guidance suggesting creating a ZyMesh profile - Zyxel NWA55AXE devices do NOT use ZyMesh as its mesh solution, it uses WDS.

I am an experienced Computer Network Engineer with Cisco (and VMware & Microsoft Engineer and Trainer) certifications but these Zyxel configurations have me stumped at the moment.

I have opened a support ticket with Zyxel and responded with the additional information that they requested. However, I thought that I would try the community to see if there is anyone prepared to assist with providing a set-by-step configuration for each of the APs, please?

Any assistance greatly appreciated.

Best regards, Joe

All Replies

  • Zyxel_Melen
    Zyxel_Melen Posts: 4,992 image  Zyxel Employee
    Zyxel Certified Network Engineer Level 1 - Switch Zyxel Certified Network Administrator - Switch Zyxel Certified Network Administrator - Nebula Zyxel Certified Sales Associate
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    Hi @JRJSmith

    Please reference this FAQ first:

    Establishing a Reliable WDS Connection on Standalone APs — Zyxel Community

    And flee free to ask in which step you get problem.

    Zyxel Melen


  • JRJSmith
    JRJSmith Posts: 5 image  Freshman Member
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    edited August 3
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    Hello @Zyxel_Melen

    Thank you for your suggestion.

    I will read to the FAQ that you referenced and attempt to configure my two Zyxel NWA55AXE devices. I'll test whether the result meets my requirements and come back with any further questions that may arise.

    Best regards

    Joe.

  • JRJSmith
    JRJSmith Posts: 5 image  Freshman Member
    First Comment Friend Collector
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    Hello @Zyxel_Melen

    I configured the two devices to use Radio 2 (5 Ghz) for the Root AP and Repeater connection because I thought that would be OK given that the final locations of the devices is within 8 metres with a clear line-of-sight.

    The house Zyxel NWA55AXE has been commissioned as an Access Point for some time now and is already mounted on the outside wall in its final location. The other (garden) Zyxel NWA55AXE is temporarily located in my study. I configured them as I said in the previous paragraph but Monitor → WDS Link Info remained blank. Earlier this morning. Monitor → WDS Link Info showed the WDS neighbors correctly so I started to record the configuration details in a document to retain as a design record. Now, the Monitor → WDS Link Info is blank again.

    I am contemplating whether to simply presume that there is an issue due to walls impeding the 5 GHz signals; relocate the garage Zyxel NWA55AXE from the study to the garage; and monitor the connection status for a while or whether to reconfigure both devices to use Radio 1 (2.4 GHz) for the Root AP and Repeater connection. This would have the benefit of using the house Zyxel NWA55AXE Radio 2 (5 GHz) to act as a normal AP extending the eero Pro 6 mesh network out into the garden while reducing the likelihood of the outdoor wireless signal penetrating the house walls (as much as 2.4 GHz signals would) and, thereby, minimising interference for anyone using the Wi-Fi inside the house. 

    When I have decided which option to take and tested that it meets my requirements, I will update this.

    Meanwhile, many thanks for your assistance.

  • JRJSmith
    JRJSmith Posts: 5 image  Freshman Member
    First Comment Friend Collector
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    Good morning,

    Initial testing is promising.

    The WDS connection remains solid when using Radio 1 (2.4 GHz). After changing the WDS connection to use local bridging, connection to clients on the Ethernet connection of the Repeater (garden) Zyxel NWA55AXE has been made. Early tests indicate packet loss between 1.6% and 6%, which is far better than the near 50% packet loss using the Devolo powerline devices. However, this is still testing with the Repeater NWA55AXE located in the study so it is not performing like-for-like testing.

    I have to prepare the garage to move the equipment out there and conduct full Commissioning Testing.

    Everything is looking good so far.

    I will update this when the commissioning is complete and close as answered it if successful.

    Best regards

    Joe

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