Assistance Configuring Zyxel NWA55AXE

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.

Well, that's disappointing!

Relocating the garden Zyxel NWA55AXE to the outside wall of the garage within approx. 8 metre line-of-site of the house Zyxel NWA55AXE (removing the two/three house walls between them) has increased the packet loss  from 1.6%-6% to 42%-49%, which is reflected by similar levels of packet loss to the garage Zyxel GS1200-5HP PoE switches and the cameras. This makes the current setup unusable - similar to the Devolo Powerline devices.

I am surprised that the WDS connection has used channel 13 of the 2.4 GHz band.

I am going to ponder on which steps I should use to attempt to resolve this. Any ideas that you have would be welcome.

Best regards

Joe

@Zyxel Melen

Thanks for your response.

I took a laptop down to the garage and connected it to the same Zyxel GS1200-5HP PoE switch that the garage Zyxel NWA55AXE is connected to. I was unable to connect to the garage Zyxel NWA55AXE and it did not respond to pings. I ran Linux nmap -n -sP 192.168.12.0/22 and it responded with the Reolink Security cameras, the laptop and both Zyxel GS1200-5HP PoE switches but no Zyxel NWA55AXE. I tried switching the Ethernet cable to another port with the same lack of response. The connection LED glows on the Zyxel GS1200-5HP on whichever port the lead is connected to.

I ran mtr -r -c 100 to each IP address on the garage LAN. They all showed 0 packet loss with the exception of the NWA55AXE IP address, which showed 43% packet loss.

My next step will be to replace the Ethernet cable between the Zyxel NWA55AXE and the Zyxel GS1200-5HP.

If that does not resolve the issue, I shall move the garage Zyxell NWA55AXE back into the study to attempt to restore it to Factory Default and start again. This time, I will make the WDS connection to use Channel 11 because Channel 13 overlaps my Zigbee Channel 25 routers and endpoints. I will test Channel 11 followed by Channel 6 and finally Channel 1 to see which gives the most reliable connection.

I would rather leave Radio 2 (5 GHz) for the house NWA55AXE to extend the house LAN outside into the garden reducing the impact of interference because 5 GHz cannot penetrate house walls as readily as 2.4 GHz.

I will update this as soon as I have the opportunity to perform the tests that I have outlined above but I have other pressing matters to deal with so may be a little delayed.

Thanks again,

Joe