WDS Technical Support Guide - Netcom · WDS (Wireless Distribution System) mode – the NP731 connects to up to eight (8) other NP731 units to create a wireless mesh network. This

Technical Support Guide

Configuring NP731 in WDS mode

Configuring NP731 in WDS mode 1 of 18

© NetComm Wireless 2017

NP731 system overview

Designed to meet the needs of today’s most demanding wireless LAN deployments, the NP731 offers a solution to create a

reliable and scalable wireless network.

The NP731 is an outdoor device that will operate in access point, repeater and WDS bridge mode. Its rugged IP68-rated metal

housing is weather proof, pressure balancing, water-tight and rust-resistant, making it an ideal solution for deployments in

harsh conditions, such as outdoor or industrial environments.

With its multi-mode set up, the device can be used in many cases to increase and enhance wireless coverage.

The NP731 has four modes of operation:

Repeater mode (default) – the NP731 repeats the wireless signal of your existing network to provide an increased

area of coverage for your premises.

Access Point mode – the NP731 connects to an existing router via Ethernet and provides a wireless signal for wireless

devices. This is useful in situations where there is no existing wireless access point or where you wish to provide a

wireless signal to a remote area from where the router is located.

CPE (Customer Premises Equipment) mode – the NP731 connects wirelessly to a remote network and provides access

to that network to clients connected via Ethernet. Use of a switch is required for multiple clients.

WDS (Wireless Distribution System) mode – the NP731 connects to up to eight (8) other NP731 units to create a

wireless mesh network. This is like repeater mode but in WDS mode, the NP731 uses a single MAC address to provide

seamless roaming.

Purpose of the document

This document provides an in-depth explanation of how to set up multiple NP731 devices in the WDS (Wireless Distribution

System) mode, the fourth mode described in the above overview.

2 of 18 Technical Support Guide


Contents

NP731 system overview....................................................................................................................................................................... 1

Purpose of the document ................................................................................................................................................................................................. 1

Configuring NP731s for WDS mode ...................................................................................................................................................... 3

WDS mode ........................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 3 1. Configure AP device Network settings ................................................................................................................................................................ 4 2. Configure Repeater devices Network settings (optional) ................................................................................................................................... 5 3. Configure AP and WDS Repeater devices ........................................................................................................................................................... 7 4.a Configure Repeater WDS Link settings for Access Point (AP) ............................................................................................................................ 10 4.b Configure AP WDS Link settings for each Repeater device ............................................................................................................................... 12 WDS diagram .................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 13

Notes on Checking a MAC Address .................................................................................................................................................... 14

Enter MAC Address ......................................................................................................................................................................................................... 14

Extending the WDS ............................................................................................................................................................................ 15

1 Changes to Configuration of Repeater Device 3 ............................................................................................................................................... 15 2 Changes to Configuration of Repeater Device 4 ............................................................................................................................................... 16 3. Changes to Access Point (AP) Device ................................................................................................................................................................ 17 Extended WDS diagram .................................................................................................................................................................................................. 18

Configuring NP731 in WDS mode 3 of 18 © NetComm Wireless 2017

Configuring NP731s for WDS mode

WDS mode

One NP731 connects to an existing router via Ethernet and provides a wireless signal for wireless devices. All other NP731

devices repeat the wireless signals of your existing network to provide coverage to a greater area of your premises. The

NP731 can connect with up to eight (8) other NP731 devices to create a wireless mesh network.

Example used in this Guide

In this guide, we will first configure the NP731 device connected as an access point (AP) to the Router, and then we will

configure the other four NP731 devices on the WDS system.

In the example used in this guide, the main router’s network address is: 192.168.20.0 mask 255.255.255.0

Settings not mentioned

If settings are not specifically mentioned in this document, it is assumed that the factory default settings will be used.



1. Configure AP device Network settings

The first NP731 is connected directly with the router as the Access Point (AP).

The router will be the only device that is ‘seen’ from the Internet, the AP or Repeater devices will ‘use’ an IP Address which

falls in the router’s network address range.

1 Navigate to System > Network Interface:

a Make the following Network settings only in the AP device:

Item Setting Notes

Mode Static Use same setting for AP and all Repeaters.

IP Address 192.168.20.254 Enter the same network address range as the main

router (192.168.20.0/24).

Netmask 255.255.255.0

Default Gateway 192.168.20.1 IP address of the main router.

Primary DNS Server 192.168.20.1 IP address of the main router.

2 Click the SAVE button.

3 Restart the device.


2. Configure Repeater devices Network settings (optional)

Strictly speaking, this configuration is not required. The default network settings on the Repeaters will work, but each

Repeater will be on a different network.

We suggest including all devices on the same LAN network, so that any client connected to the LAN can access both the AP

and all the Repeaters in the WDS.

1 For each repeater, navigate to its System > Network Interface:

a Make the following Network settings on each numbered Repeater device:

Item Setting Notes

Mode Static Use same setting for AP and all Repeaters.

IP Address for

Repeater device 1

192.168.20.253 The AP is set to 192.168.20.254.

IP Address for

Repeater device 2

192.168.20.252 The AP is set to 192.168.20.254.

IP Address for

Repeater device 3

192.168.20.251 The AP is set to 192.168.20.254.

Extra Repeater devices:

Repeater device 4

Repeater device 5

Repeater device 6

Repeater device 7

192.168.20.250

192.168.20.249

192.168.20.248

192.168.20.247

If you add extra devices, use these IP Addresses.



Item Setting Notes

Repeater device 8 192.168.20.246 Note that the maximum number of devices on a

WDS system is eight (8) repeater devices.

Netmask 255.255.255.0 Same for AP and all Repeaters.

Default Gateway 192.168.20.1 Same for AP and all Repeaters.

Primary DNS Server 192.168.20.1 Same for AP and all Repeaters.

2 Click the SAVE button.

3 Restart each device.


3. Configure AP and WDS Repeater devices

In both the AP and all the other WDS mode Repeater devices:

1 Navigate to System > Operating mode:

a Select AP mode as the Operating Mode.

Important – This Operating Mode setting must be same in all the WDS devices in the network.

2 Navigate to AP > General and configure the Band, Protocol and Channel details.



a Make the following settings:

Item Setting Notes

Band Either 2.4GHz or 5GHz Use the same Band for AP and all Repeaters.

Protocol 802.11g+802.11n Do not check Pure 11n

Channel Width 40 MHz Use the same Channel Width for AP and all Repeaters.

Channel Range: 1 - 13 Use the same channel for AP and all Repeaters.

Important – These configuration settings must be the same in all the WDS devices in the network.

3 Navigate to AP > VAP config and configure the ESSID.


Item Setting Notes

ESSID XxxxXxx 1234 Enter any alpha-numeric name, spaces are allowed.

Use same ESSID for AP and all Repeaters.

Important – These configuration settings must be same in all the WDS devices in the network.


4 Navigate to AP > Security and configure the Pre-Shared Key details.


Item Setting Notes

Cipher Suite WPA2 We recommend WPA2.

Use the same Cipher Suite type for the AP and all

Repeaters.

Pre-shared Key Type Passphrase We recommend Passphrase.

Use the same Pre-Shared Key type for the AP and all

Repeaters.

Pre-shared Key Enter key (password)

For example:

N3tC0mmm

Must be 8 to 63 Alpha/numeric/special characters,

no spaces.

Key Type = Passphrase

Use the same Pre-Shared Key for the AP and all

Repeaters.

Important – These configuration settings must be same in all the WDS devices in the network.



5 Navigate to the AP > Repeater page:

Important – The AP > Repeater Settings are different for the AP (see section WDS Link settings for Access Point, below) and the Repeaters (see section Configure AP WDS Link settings, below).

4.a Configure Repeater WDS Link settings for Access Point (AP)

a For only the WDS Access Point, the MAC addresses

of the other Repeater NP731 devices must each be

referenced to a numbered WDS Link.

b This referencing is accomplished using the WDS

Profile drop-down selector in conjunction with the

Remote AP MAC Address field, see image on right.

Item Setting(s) Notes

Repeater Type WDS WES Use same settings for the AP and all Repeaters.

WDS Profile

drop down list

WDS Link 1

(MAC address of 1St repeater device)

1. Select WDS Link 1 from the drop-down list,

2. Enter the MAC address* of the first Repeater device

into the Remote AP MAC Address field, see below,

3. Click the SAVE button

4. Repeat these steps for the other Repeater devices.

WDS Link 2

(MAC address of 2nd repeater device)

1. Then select WDS Link 2 from the drop-down list,

2. Enter the MAC address* of the second Repeater

device into the Remote AP MAC Address field, see

below,





4. Repeat these steps for the other Repeater devices.

WDS Link 3

(MAC address of 3rd repeater device)

1. Then select WDS Link 3 from the drop-down list,

2. Enter the MAC address* of the third Repeater device

into the Remote AP MAC Address field, see below,


WDS Select: Enable Select Enable from the drop-down list for the AP and

all Repeater devices in the WDS network.

WDS Link Address Un-editable system data. This is the current AP device’s MAC address.

Remote AP MAC Address Enter the MAC address* for each

of the linked repeater devices

here.

After selecting the WDS Link number for each repeater

device from the WDS Profile drop-down list, see above,

enter its unique MAC address* and click SAVE.

Then select the next WDS Link number and repeat the

process for each of the remaining repeater devices.

Security Type WPA-Personal Use same settings for the AP and all Repeaters.

Cipher State WPA2 Use same settings for the AP and all Repeaters.

Pre-shared Key Type Passphrase Use same settings for the AP and all Repeaters.

Pre-shared Key The 8 to 63 characters key/

password should appear here as

it was previously entered at the

AP > Security step, see step AP >

Security on page 9 [above].

Use same key/password for the AP and all Repeaters.

SAVE Button Click to save changes.

Note – You must individually SAVE the WDS Profile

and MAC address details for each repeater device one

at a time.

Clicking SAVE will not close the page.

CLEAR Button Click to clear changes and return to previous settings.

c Click SAVE.

d Restart the device.

* Each NP731 device’s MAC Address can be found on the System Overview page (Status > Overview) of its web interface,

refer to Notes on Checking a MAC Address on page 14.



4.b Configure AP WDS Link settings for each Repeater device

a For each WDS Repeater NP731 enter the following settings:


Repeater Type WDS WES Use same settings for the AP and all Repeaters.

WDS profile

drop down list

WDS Link 1 1. Select WDS Link 1 from the drop-down list,

2. Enter the MAC address* of the Access Point (AP)

device into the Remote AP MAC Address field, see

below.

3. Click the SAVE button.

WDS Links 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8 Do not make any changes.

WDS Select: Enable Select Enable from the drop-down list for the AP and

all Repeater devices in the WDS network.

WDS Link Address Un-editable system data. This is the current repeater device’s MAC Address*.

Remote AP MAC Address Enter the MAC address* of the

AP NP731 device.

All the Repeater NP731 devices have the MAC

address* of the Access Point (AP) device entered here.

Security Type WPA-Personal Use same settings for the AP and all Repeaters.

Cipher State WPA2 Use same settings for the AP and all Repeaters.

Pre-shared Key Type Passphrase Use same settings for the AP and all Repeaters.

Pre-shared Key The 8 to 63 characters key/

password should appear here as

it was previously entered at the

AP > Security step, see step AP >

Security on page 9 [above].

Use same key/password for the AP and all Repeaters.

SAVE Button Click to save changes.

CLEAR Button Click to clear changes and return to previous settings.

b Click SAVE.

c Restart the device.

* Each NP731 device’s MAC Address can be found on the System Overview page (Status > Overview) of its web interface,

refer to Notes on Checking a MAC Address on page 14.

Note – A maximum of eight (8) NP731 devices can be included in WDS (Wireless Distribution System) network.



WDS diagram

This diagram shows the network settings of the AP and Repeater devices in the WDS system set up using this guide.



Notes on Checking a MAC Address

The MAC address for each NP731 device (regardless of whether they are the Access Point or Repeaters) can be checked using

the following procedure.

1 Connect the NP731 device to the router using an ethernet cable.

2 Power on the NP731 device

3 Open a browser and type in the NP731 device’s URL.

4 Click the Status tab and select the Overview tabbed page.

5 The MAC Address appears in the Radio Status section of the System Overview page:

6 Make a note of the MAC Address

7 Repeat the process for each repeater device and the AP device.

Enter MAC Address

You enter the MAC Addresses at the following points in the WDS setup process:

Enter each repeater device’s MAC Address when you configure the WDS Profile for each of the repeater devices for

Access Point, see section WDS Link settings for Access Point, above, and

Enter the AP’s MAC Address when you configure the WDS Profile for the AP Device on each of the Repeater Devices,

see section Configure AP WDS Link settings, above.



Extending the WDS

It is possible to extend the WDS past its normal range by linking two Repeaters together while still using only one Access

Point (AP). In this case data will travel to/from the final Repeater via another repeater and not directly to/through only the

AP.

In the scenario illustrated in the diagram Repeater Device 4 is out of WiFi range from the AP and Device 4 will access it via

Repeater Device 2.

The following steps outline the changes that are required to configure this extension of the WDS system.

Refer to the first section of this Support Guide (Configuring NP731s for WDS mode) for more detailed descriptions of these

pages and settings.

1. Changes to Configuration of Repeater Device 3

The following parameters in Repeater Device 3 need to be changed and/or copied to Repeater Device 4:

Location Parameter New Value

Network Settings

System > Network Interface

IP Address

Netmask

Default Gateway

Primary DNS Server

No change

No change, copy to Repeater Device 4



Operating Mode

System > Operating Mode Operating Mode AP Mode




General Settings

AP > General

Band

Protocol

Channel Width

Channel





VAP Configuration

AP > VAP Config ESSID No change, copy to Repeater Device 4

Security Settings

AP > Security

Pre-shared Key Type

Pre-shared Key

Passphrase


Repeater Settings

AP > Repeater

Repeater Type No change, copy to Repeater Device 4

WDS Profile* 1. Select WDS Link 2 from the drop-down list,

2. Enter the MAC address of Repeater Device 4

into the Remote AP MAC Address field, see

below.

WDS Enable

Remote AP MAC Address * Enter the MAC address of Repeater Device 4.

Security Type

Cipher Suite

Pre-shared Key Type

Pre-shared Key





* This will be the second WDS Profile for this device, WDS Link 1 will continue to be the AP’s MAC address.

2 . Changes to Configuration of Repeater Device 4

The following parameters in Repeater Device 4 need new values (many can be copied from Repeater Device 3):


Network Settings

System > Network Interface

IP Address

Netmask

Default Gateway

Primary DNS Server

192.168.20.250

255.255.255.0

192.168.20.1

192.168.20.1

Operating Mode

System > Operating Mode Operating Mode AP Mode

General Settings

AP > General

Band

Protocol

Channel Width

Channel

Must match the other devices in the WDS.

802.11g+802.111n Pure 11n



VAP Configuration



AP > VAP Config ESSID Must match the other devices in the WDS.

Security Settings

AP > Security

Pre-shared Key Type

Pre-shared Key

Passphrase


Repeater Settings

AP > Repeater

Repeater Type Must match the other devices in the WDS. (WES)

WDS Profile** 1. Select WDS Link 1 from the drop-down list,

2. Enter the MAC address of Repeater Device 2

into the Remote AP MAC Address field, see

below.

WDS Enable

Remote AP MAC Address

**

Enter the MAC address of Repeater Device 2.

Security Type

Cipher Suite

Pre-shared Key Type

Pre-shared Key





** The linking Repeater Device 2 is the only WDS Profile for this device: WDS Link 1

There is no need for the AP device to be added as a WDS Profile.

3. Changes to Access Point (AP) Device

No changes are required to the AP device’s settings.



Extended WDS diagram

This diagram shows the network settings of the AP and Repeater devices in the WDS system after it was extended to

Repeater Device 4.

The changes to settings in Repeater Devices 2 and 4 are outlined in yellow.

Documents

WDS Technical Support Guide - Netcom · WDS (Wireless Distribution System) mode – the NP731 connects to up to eight (8) other NP731 units to create a wireless mesh network. This