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    Mesh Configuration

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    Miguel Duarte
    This document discusses mesh networking configuration using cnPilot devices. It describes what mesh networking is, the pros and cons, and best practices for deployment. It provides steps for configuring cnPilot devices as mesh clients and bases, including setting up WLANs, security, and monitoring mesh links. Alternatives to mesh like Ethernet or wireless point-to-point are also covered. The document includes guidance for using cnPilot devices to extend the range of an existing WiFi network or connect to third-party access points.

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    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd

    Mesh Configuration

    Uploaded by

    Miguel Duarte
    38 views18 pages
    This document discusses mesh networking configuration using cnPilot devices. It describes what mesh networking is, the pros and cons, and best practices for deployment. It provides steps for configuring cnPilot devices as mesh clients and bases, including setting up WLANs, security, and monitoring mesh links. Alternatives to mesh like Ethernet or wireless point-to-point are also covered. The document includes guidance for using cnPilot devices to extend the range of an existing WiFi network or connect to third-party access points.

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    This document discusses mesh networking configuration using cnPilot devices. It describes what mesh networking is, the pros and cons, and best practices for deployment. It provides steps for configuring cnPilot devices as mesh clients and bases, including setting up WLANs, security, and monitoring mesh links. Alternatives to mesh like Ethernet or wireless point-to-point are also covered. The document includes guidance for using cnPilot devices to extend the range of an existing WiFi network or connect to third-party access points.

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as pdf or txt
    38 views18 pages

    Mesh Configuration

    Uploaded by

    Miguel Duarte
    This document discusses mesh networking configuration using cnPilot devices. It describes what mesh networking is, the pros and cons, and best practices for deployment. It provides steps for configuring cnPilot devices as mesh clients and bases, including setting up WLANs, security, and monitoring mesh links. Alternatives to mesh like Ethernet or wireless point-to-point are also covered. The document includes guidance for using cnPilot devices to extend the range of an existing WiFi network or connect to third-party access points.

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    You are on page 1of 18

    cnPilot

    Mesh Configuration

    Connect the Unconnected


    Mesh and cnPilot
    • What is mesh?
    • Pros and cons of using mesh
    • Where to use mesh, where not to
    • Alternatives to mesh
    • Configuring mesh on cnMaestro
    • Recovery mode
    • Monitoring and statistics for mesh
    • Best Practices
    What is mesh?

    Mesh AP Mesh AP Mesh AP Mesh AP

    2nd hop 2nd hop

    Mesh AP Mesh AP

    1st hop

    Base AP
    Types of WiFi mesh BaseAP
    Base
    Base AP
    AP

    • WDS
    5channel
    GHz 40 157
    channel
    • 802.11s
    • Proprietary Mesh AP
    MeshAP
    Mesh AP
    • Single frequency Base AP

    • Dual frequency channel 40


    2.4 GHz
    • Multiple Radios in 5 GHz band
    MeshAP
    Mesh
    Mesh AP
    AP
    Pros and cons of using mesh
    • Pros
    – Quick deployment
    – Lower cost deployment
    – Mesh can provide a backup for failed Ethernet
    • Cons
    – Still need power connection
    – Loss of capacity
    – Lower total throughput possible
    – Co-channel interference
    – Complexity and stability
    Where to use mesh, where not to
    • Coverage vs capacity
    – Mesh will always reduce capacity, but can provide more coverage if it is the
    only way to add APs
    • Ability to provide backhaul
    – Weigh the cost of providing a backhaul (Ethernet or otherwise) against the
    cost of capacity loss, throughput loss, added complexity, and reduced
    stability
    • Outdoor deployments
    – Outdoor deployments are often the most difficult to deploy without mesh
    or an alternative to traditional Ethernet connections
    • Latency and jitter sensitive applications
    – Applications such as VoIP and video are problematic over mesh
    Alternatives to mesh
    • Ethernet to each AP
    – Obvious
    • Fiber
    – Will require power to the AP as well
    • Wireless
    – Point to Point
    – Point to Multipoint
     ePMP and 450 series are an excellent alternative to using mesh
    cnPilot Mesh Configuration

    We will use the next several slides as a lab to


    show both mesh configuration and to actually
    configure mesh in the class.

    Configuration can be done via cnMaestro or


    via the cnPilot GUI. We will use the cnPilot
    GUI for the lab.
    cnPilot – Configuring mesh
    • Configuration can be done either through the cnPilot GUI or via
    cnMaestro
    • If you configure via cnMaestro, follow these steps in order
    – 1. Configure AP groups
     One group for Base APs. Do not push configuration out to APs yet.
     One group for Client APs.
    – 2. Connect Client APs via Ethernet and push out AP group configuration to
    them
     No Base APs should be configured for mesh yet.
    – 3. Disconnect Client APs and move to their permanent locations
    – 4. Place Base APs in permanent location and push configuration to them
    cnPilot Mesh Configuration - Client

    • From the Configure/WLAN menu, Add a new WLAN


    • For a client, the mesh WLAN must be WLAN 1
    • No more than 5 clients can connect to a single base
    cnPilot Mesh Configuration - Client

    • Select Enable
    • Select Client for Mesh type
    • Enter SSID name
    • Enter default VLAN
    • Choose Security type
    • It is recommended to not
    choose Open for a mesh
    SSID
    • This must match the
    configuration that will be
    used on the base
    • Choose radio (either 2.4 GHz or
    5 GHz)
    • Except in special circumstances,
    leave the Mesh VLAN Tagging
    option as enabled.
    cnPilot Mesh Configuration - Base

    • Enable the WLAN


    • Select Base for Mesh type
    • Select the correct VLAN
    • Choose Security type
    • It is not recommended to choose Open.
    • Choose Radio
    • Max clients is actually irrelevant as long as it
    is at least 5
    • The max number of client mesh APs that
    will be accepted by a base AP is 5
    • Hide the SSID
    • In most cases, you will want to enable Mesh
    VLAN tagging
    • Mesh Auto Detect Backhaul - ????
    Recovery Profile

    • Recovery serves 2 purposes


    • Recover mis-configured mesh
    AP
    • Connect out of the box APs
    • To Configure, add a new WLAN
    • Provide a name (for
    management purposes only)
    • Enable
    • Define as Mesh - Recovery
    Monitoring and statistics

    • View Mesh Connection Information Under APs/Details/Mesh Peers


    • SNR and RSSI are Key Indicators to the Health of a Mesh Link
    Best practices
    • Consider alternatives to mesh
    • Limit mesh to as few hops as possible, 1 or 2 at most
    • At least 2 Base APs visible to each Client AP
    • Utilize 5 GHz over 2.4 GHz for most deployments
    – The UNII 3 band offers higher power than UNII 1, 2, or 2e
    • At least 25 dB SNR for mesh links
    • Enable security
    • Do not broadcast SSID
    • Disable Auto RF on Base AP
    • 20 MHz channels may offer better SNR and more ability for a clear channel
    Connecting to 3rd party APs
    • It is possible to mesh between cnPilot E Series and R Series
    – See the following slide(s) for details
    • WDS allows for connectivity to 3rd party APs
    – If a cnPilot E-series AP is the Client Mesh AP, configure as already
    described
    – If cnPilot E-series AP is the Base Mesh AP, the 3rd party AP must be
    configured for WDS in order to connect via mesh and still pass client
    traffic.
    cnPilot R-Series as a Range Extender for WiFi

    • cnPiot R-Series can act as


    a range extender to an E
    Series AP
    • E-Series
    • Configure a normal
    (non-mesh specific)
    SSID to be used for
    the link
    • Either Open or WPA2-
    PSK are supported for
    this configuration
    • Disable Proxy ARP
    • Disable Unicast DHCP
    • R Series
    • Configure for NAT or
    Bridge mode
    Thank you!

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