This Article explains how to set up a Dell Networking Wireless Instant Mesh Network.
Definitions
- Mesh Network Overview - A solution to expand network coverage for outdoor and indoor enterprise environments without wires. As traffic traverses across mesh Instant Access Points (IAPs), the mesh network automatically reconfigures around broken or blocked paths. This self-healing feature provides increased reliability and redundancy and allows the network to continue operation even when an Instant Access Point stops functioning or if a connection fails.
- Mesh Portals - Gateway between the wireless mesh network and the enterprise wired LAN. The mesh roles are automatically assigned based on the IAP configuration. The mesh portal broadcasts a mesh services set identifier (MSSID/mesh cluster name) to advertise the mesh network service to other mesh points in that instant network. This is not configurable and is transparent to the user. The mesh points authenticate to the mesh portal and establish a link.
- Mesh Points - Establishes an all-wireless path to the mesh portal. The mesh point provides traditional WLAN services to the client and performs backhaul/network connectivity to the mesh portal.
Important Points to Remember
1. Mesh network requires at least one valid uplink (wired or 3G) connection. Any provisioned IAP that has a valid uplink (wired or 3G) functions as a mesh portal, and the IAP without an Ethernet link functions as a mesh point.
2. If two IAPs have valid uplink connections, there is redundancy in the mesh network, and most mesh points try to mesh directly with one of the two portals. Although, depending on the RF environment layout they may connect to an intermediate mesh point.
3. The maximum hop count is two nodes (point>point>portal) and the maximum number of mesh points per mesh portal is eight.
4. Mesh IAPs detect the environment when they boot up, locate and associate with their nearest neighbor, to determine the best path to the mesh portal.
5. Instant mesh is supported only on dual radio IAPs only. On dual-radio IAPs, the 5 GHz radio is always used for both mesh-backhaul and client traffic, while the 2.4 GHz radio is always used for client traffic.
6. The mesh network must be provisioned for the first time by plugging into the wired network.
No Support for Mesh on W-IAP2xx Access Points Mesh W-IAP configuration is not supported on 802.11ac AP platforms (W-IAP2xx access points) with currently available firmware. There are reported details that this will be supported in upcoming firmware releases.
Setting up an Instant Mesh Network
1. Connect all the IAPs to a DHCP server, so that the IAPS get their IP addresses in the same subnet
2. Ensure that an open SSID, instant is listed on a laptop with a wireless LAN adapter and connect to that (instant) SSID.
3. Using a web browser, go to the "instant.dell-pcw.com" URL.
4. Click I understand the risks and Add exception to ignore the certificate warnings.
5. Login with Username: admin - Password: admin
6. Create an new SSID and wpa-2 personal keys with unrestricted or network based access rules. Select any permit for basic connectivity.
7. Connect a client to the new SSID and disconnect from the instant SSID. All the IAPs show up on the Virtual Controller. Disconnect the IAPs that you want to deploy as Mesh Points from the switch and place the IAPs at the desired location. The IAPs with valid uplink connections function as the mesh portal.