How to configure Mesh & Auto Failover on Omada Controller

Objective

This article introduces how to configure Wi-Fi Mesh and apply Auto Failover on the Omada Controller to build a wireless mesh network.

Requirements

• Omada Controller (Software Controller / Hardware Controller / Cloud-Based Controller, V5.9 and above)
• Omada EAP

Introduction

Mesh: In outdoor scenarios with difficult network cable installation or wired network coverage, such as outdoor campsites, swimming pools, gymnasiums, gardens, squares, etc., or in indoor scenarios without cabling conditions or with high aesthetic demands, wireless mesh networking can be a good choice to expand the wireless network coverage.

Auto Failover: With this function enabled, when wireless signal disappears due to the power-off uplink EAP or the failure of the device, the mesh EAP can automatically search through algorithms for another uplink with the best signal to connect, thus ensuring the normal network for clients connected to the mesh EAP.

Configuration

Mesh

Step 1. Launch the Omada Controller via a web browser. In the site view, go to Settings > Site > Wireless Features. Enable Mesh (enabled by default) and click Save.

Step 2. Prepare the EAP for the wireless mesh network. Power on the EAP within the wireless signal coverage of the Site. Wait until the EAP is powered on and initialized.

Step 3. Go to Devices > Device List. The initialized EAP will be displayed as PENDING with a wireless icon in the list. Click the Adopt icon in the ACTION column to adopt the EAP.

Step 4. The Controller will recommend through algorithms the best uplink EAP (marked with “Recommend”) based on signal strength, hops and other factors. Select the uplink EAP to connect and click Confirm.

Step 5. Wait a while and the mesh EAP will be connected to the uplink EAP. You now successfully build a mesh network.

Step 6. Click the mesh device just connected to open the Properties window. Go to Mesh and you can find the detailed information on the mesh network.

Auto Failover

Step 1. Launch the Omada Controller via a web browser. In the site view, go to Settings > Site > Wireless Features. Enable Auto Failover (enabled by default) and click Save.

With Auto Failover, the Omada Controller will automatically choose a new uplink EAP to repair the mesh network when the current uplink EAP fails to connect.

Conclusion

You have successfully configured Mesh and Auto Failover on the Omada Controller.

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

Frequently Asked Question (FAQ):

How can I deal with the low network speed and poor network experience of the client connected to the mesh EAP in the wireless mesh network?

Re: To avoid poor network experience, it is recommended to limit the hop count to no more than 2 (the hop limit of EAP is 3), because every hop will effectively halve the bandwidth. Meanwhile, place the mesh devices closer to each other. In scenarios where wireless performance is the priority, mesh networking should be the last to consider.