ubiquiti-access-point-wds-setup.pdf

7/27/2019 ubiquiti-access-point-wds-setup.pdf

1/7

1

Go Wireless NZ Ltd

Unit 6, 5 Stone Street

Kaiapoi, Canterbury

New Zealand

+64 3 741 1339

www.gowifi.co.nz

Ubiquiti Access Point WDS

Setup Guide

By Daniel Allin, Technician

(DipCN, MTCNA)


2/7

2

Go Wireless NZ Ltd

Scenario:

In this scenario we will configure 3 Ubiquiti Access Points in a Wireless Distribution

System to allow each Access Point to act as a Backhaul link as well as an Access

Point. This scenario also allows users to roam throughout the WDS Network

seamlessly.

Important Notes:

All of the Ubiquiti Access Points (as of writing) have a limitation of WEP / Open

encryption when using multiple Access Points in WDS mode. This limitation only

applies if there is more than one Access Point WDS Access Point configured on the

network. This is not a limitation if you are creating a transparent WDS Network with

one Access Point WDS and multiple Station WDS Access Points.

When configuring a WDS Network like the one in this scenario the following rules

apply:

1. The NSM2 must have the Wireless MAC Address of ONLY the directlyconnected peer (PicoM2).

2. The PicoM2 must have the Wireless MAC Address of the Directly ConnectedPeers (Bullet M2 and NSM2).

3. The Bullet M2 must have the Wireless MAC Address of ONLY the directlyconnected peer (PicoM2).

4. If both the PicoM2 and the NSM2 are both to be directly connected to theMain Access Point (Bullet M2) they would only have the Wireless MAC Address

of the Bullet M2 and not each other. The Bullet would however have both it

directly connected peers MAC Addresses (PicoM2 and NSM2)


3/7

3

Go Wireless NZ Ltd

Step 1:

Start by configuring the first Access Point which in my case is a Bullet M2. This AP will

be directly connected to your network / modem. On the Wireless / Link Setup Tab

configure the following and then click Change:

Step 2:

Configure the IP Settings on the Network Tab and then click Change:

Change to Access Point WDS

and enable Auto

Create a Wireless Network Name

for your WDS Network

Set the Frequency Width to20MHz

Select an appropriate Channel

Select your Security Type

(OPEN / WEP ONLY)

Change the IP Address of this AP

Enter the Gateway and PrimaryDNS IP Addresses. (Generally

youre Modems IP Address).

Enable Spanning Tree


4/7

4

Go Wireless NZ Ltd

Step 3:

If you are using an AirMax AirOS Access Point you will need to disable AirMax to

allow clients to connect to the Access Point, click Change when finished:

Step 4:

Finally, on the Main Tab Locate the Wireless MAC Address of this Access Point. Copy

and Paste this into notepad or a word document as you will need this for configuring

the remaining Access Points.

Disable AirMax

AP Wireless MAC Address


5/7

5

Go Wireless NZ Ltd

Important Note:

Configure the next WDS Access Point and ensure it is NOT CONNECTED TO YOUR

NETWORK VIA ETHERNET (connect directly to your computer to configure).

Connecting the AP to your Network will cause a bridging loop in your network and

require you to reboot all of your devices on the network.

Step 5:

Click on the Wireless / Link Setup Tab and configure this Access Point EXACTLY as you

configured the first Access Point with the following Exceptions:

Step 6:

Enter the Network Settings for this Access Point (the only difference from the first AP

should be the IP Address):

Enter the Wireless MAC Address

of the directly connected Access

Points

Notice the IP Address is different


6/7

6

Go Wireless NZ Ltd

Step 7:

Disable AirMax then Apply all changes. Once the Access Point has rebooted you

should see it now has all signal LEDs on the device showing that it is connected to

the Main Access Point. You should test internet connectivity now before proceeding

to eliminate further issues down the track.

Step 8:

Configure the Last remaining WDS Access Point the same as previously with the

following MAC Address Exceptions:

Step 9:

Enter the Network Settings:

Enter the Wireless MAC Address

of the directly connected Access

Point


7/7

7

Go Wireless NZ Ltd

Step 10:

Finally disable AirMax and Apply all changes. Once the Access Point has rebooted

you should see the signal LEDs showing the device is connected.

Testing:

1. Test basic connectivity to the internet.2. Setup a continuous ping to all devices (each Access Point and the Internet

Gateway Modem). Walk around your network to ensure you have seamless

roaming between Access Points and that you have a stable reliable network.

3. Ideally you should receive a 1-4ms response time from all devices withouttimeouts or high response times.

Documents

ubiquiti-access-point-wds-setup.pdf