How to use tools on the Omada Controller

User Application Requirement
Updated 06-12-2024 08:27:57 AM 1713
This Article Applies to: 

This guide introduces the use of three tools available on the Omada Controller for network troubleshooting.

Application Scenario

When the network encounters problems that need to be troubleshot, the tools on the Omada Controller can help. These tools, including Network Check, Packet Capture, and Terminal, allow users to quickly identify the cause of the problems, saving time on troubleshooting and achieving greater efficiency.

How to use Network Check

The Network Check tool can be used to check network connectivity, identify the source of a problematic link, or look up DNS information. The Omada Controller provides three methods for network check: Ping, Traceroute, and DNSLookup.

Controller Compatibility:

Version 5.9 and above: Compatible with Switch and EAP

Version 5.12 and above: Compatible with Gateway, Switch, and EAP

1. Select a site from the drop-down list of Organization and go to Tools > Network Check.

2. Enter the configuration information according to your own needs. For instance, we use the Ping tool to check the connectivity between the EAP (00-FF-34-19-36-49) and the gateway (192.168.1.1), so we send 4 data packets with the size of 32 Bytes to the IP address 192.168.1.1 to see if the connection is normal based on the returned message.

Parameters Explanation:

Parameters

Type

Explanation

Device Type

Drop-down list

Select the type of device(s) to perform a test: EAP, Switch, or Gateway.

Source

Pop-up window

Select one or multiple devices to perform the test. You can use the search bar to search for the specific device.

Test

Drop-down list

Select the type of the test tool: Ping, Traceroute, or DNSLookup.

Interface

Drop-down list

Select the WAN port for testing. This option only appears when the Gateway is chosen as the device type.

Destination Type

Drop-down list

Select the destination type and specify the Domain/IP Address or Client to ping.

Packet Sizes

Input box

The size of a single packet. This option only appears when the test type is Ping.

Counts

Input box

The number of packets. This option only appears when the test type is Ping.

RUN

Button

Click to start the test.

Note: Please make sure your devices are compatible with the Omada Controller and are updated to the latest firmware version. If the device does not support the Ping, Traceroute, or DNSLookup function, a note will appear in the pop-up window of Sources.

3. Click Run to perform the test.

4. View the result in the Device Output section. The tested device is shown in the Device List on the left and the test result is displayed on the right for further analysis. You can also use the search bar to search for the specific result, send the results by email, download the test logs, zoom in and out the displayed area, and clear the results displayed.

Device Output

Device List

List

Click on different MAC addresses to show the test results for the corresponding devices.

Output for the Device

Displayed area

Display the test result.

Search bar

Input box

Display logs based on the search keywords.

Button

Send all the longs of the corresponding device to the specific email address.

Button

Download all the logs of the corresponding device from the browser.

Button

Zoom in to view the logs.

Clear

Button

Clear the logs of the current device or all devices.

How to use Packet Capture

The Packet Capture tool can be used to capture data packets transmitted in the network for further analysis.

Controller Compatibility:

Version 5.9 and above: Compatible with EAP

(Only Omada Pro Controller is compatible with Gateway, Switch, and EAP.)

1. Select a site from the drop-down list of Organization and go to Tools > Packet Capture.

2. Enter the configuration information according to your own needs. For instance, when we suddenly fail to access a web page, we can use the packet capture tool to analyze if there is any issue occurred during the TCP three-way handshake process. If the host (IP: 192.168.1.1) fails to ping other hosts, enter “src 192.168.0.1 and dst 192.168.0.1” in the Packet Capture Filters and perform packet capture to analyze ICMP messages for further information.

Note:

1. EAP can capture various wired packets such as ICMP, ARP, TCP, UDP, as well as some multicast and broadcast packets. To ensure the normal operation of the wireless network, capturing air packets on the wireless ports is not currently supported.

2. The Omada Pro Controller supports the Gateway/Switch packet capture. For Switches, it can capture packets that are sent to the CPU (packets trapped/mirrored to CPU), such as TCP, UDP, ICMP, ICMPv6, and others.

Parameters Explanation:

Parameters

Type

Explanation

Device Type

Drop-down list

Only EAP is supported.

Sources

Pop-up window

Select a device to perform the test. You can use the search bar to search for the specific device.

Interface Type

Checkbox

Select the Wired or Wireless interface type.

Select Port

Checkbox

Select the wired port. This option only appears when the Interface Type is Wired. The specific number and other information of the ports varies according to the device.

Band

Drop-down list

Select the wireless band. This option only appears when the Interface Type is Wireless. The band (2.4/5/6 GHz) information varies according to the device.

SSID / Interface

Drop-down list

Select the wireless port. This option only appears when the Interface Type is Wireless. SSID and mesh interface are supported. For SSID configuration, go to Settings-> Wireless Networks->WLAN. Mesh interfaces include sta and bkhap, which will appear when the device supports the mesh function.

Duration

Input box

Specify the duration for packet capture (1-300 seconds).

Single Packet Size

Input box

Specify the size of a single captured packet (68-1000 Bytes).

Packet Capture Filters

Input box

Enter the filters to capture packets. It can help capture the specific type of packets. Refer to the note in the page. This field is optional.

3. Click Start Packet Capture.

4. After the packet capture is completed, the Download.pcap File button will be enabled (no longer grayed out). Click on the button to download the captured network traffic file.

Note: The packet capture file is only retained for 10 minutes and can only be downloaded a maximum of 3 times. Please download the file as soon as possible after the capture is completed.

How to use Terminal

The Terminal tool can be used to debug devices or obtain device information through command lines.

Controller Compatibility:

Version 5.9 and above: Compatible with Switch and EAP

Version 5.12 and above: Compatible with Gateway, Switch, and EAP

1. Select a site from the drop-down list of Organization and go to Tools > Terminal.

2. Configure Remote Control Terminal Session. Select a Gateway, Switch, or EAP from the drop-down list of Device Type. Select one or multiple devices in the pop-up window of Sources. You can use the search bar to search for the specific device. If the device does not support the Terminal function, a note will appear in the pop-up window.

3. Click Open Terminal.

4. On the left of the Sessions displays the device list and on the right shows the command-line interface on the Terminal. Enter the command lines to debug the device and obtain the device information.

5. You can also use the search bar to search for the specific command lines and returned messages, download and send them by email, zoom in and out, and clear the displayed area.

Device Output

Device List

List

Click on different MAC addresses to show the test results for the corresponding devices.

Output for the Device

Displayed area

Display the test result.

Search bar

Input box

Display logs based on the search keywords.

Button

Send all the longs of the corresponding device to the specific email address.

Button

Download all the logs of the corresponding device from the browser.

Button

Zoom in to view the logs.

Clear

Button

Clear the logs of the current device or all devices.

Common Command Lines on Terminal Devices

Device Type

Command Lines

Function

AP

pwd

Display the current directory

xping ip

Variable IP address that performs background ping tests. If no IP address is provided as a parameter, it will default to pinging 4 responses.

ls

View files in the current directory

echo str

Print or display a specified string or text. str can be any any arbitrary string.

date

Display the current date and time

free

Display available and used system memory

ps

View running process

ifconfig

Check the IP address of network interface card

netstat -r

View the routing table

exit

Log out/end Terminal

Switch

broadcast <string>

Send a message to all logged in users

logout

Log out

debug

View information on fan, power status etc.

ping

Ping

telnet

Remotely log in to another host

terminal length <length>

Set the number of lines to display before pagination

clear

Reset certain functions

exit

Exit

history

Display command history

show

Display system information

Gateway

help

Display available commands

exit

Exit from current mode

enable

Turn on privileged commands

disable

Turn off privileged commands

configure

Enter configuration mode

show

Display module information

ping

Ping ip address

tracert

traceroute ip address

clear history

Clear previously run commands

reboot

Reboot device

Note:

1. All Bash commands on EAP devices can be accessed by double-tapping the Tab key. CLI commands on the Switches can be viewed by entering “?” in the CLI. Help for the Gateway device can be accessed by entering “help” in the CLI.

2. The CLI guide for the device can be downloaded from Download Center > specific device page > Manual. For example, the CLI guide for the Smart Switch SG2452LP V1 can be accessed at:

https://www.tp-link.com/en/support/download/sg2452lp/

To know more details of each function and configuration, please go to Download Center to download the manual of your product.

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