I recently purchased a Mikrotik hAP ax3 router (Model: C53UiG+5HPaxD2HPaxD) and I’m having trouble connecting it to my cAP XL ac access point (Model: RBcAPGi-5acD2nD-XL). Despite trying various commands, I can’t seem to establish a connection between the router and the access point.
I’ve read through the commands required for setup, but I’m unsure why the cAP XL isn’t connecting to the router. I intend to use these devices in my office, where the distance between the router and the cAP is approximately 30 meters. I’m considering resetting both devices and starting the setup process from scratch. Could it be possible that the router doesn’t support this type of cAP?
I’d appreciate any advice or a video tutorial that could guide me through the setup process. Clear instructions would be really helpful. Thank you very much for your assistance.
First things first:
AX3 and cAP XL AC are devices using two different wifi technologies. AX3 is wifi6 using wave2 drivers, XL AC is wifi5 using legacy drivers. You CAN upgrade XL AC to wave2 drivers but let’s not get there right now.
What I first would like to see from you is HOW are those 2 devices connected and how do you want them to work together ?
A small diagram perhaps ?
Default cap xl ac will work in router mode, I guess you will want to behave as simple AP, nothing more. And AX3 acting as router for all the rest. Right ?
I have attached a diagram of the current network configuration (i hope that u understand what i have draw). Currently, I aim to establish a Wi-Fi network primarily focused on enhancing the performance of the access points (APs) to strengthen the Wi-Fi signal within office 2. Could you please guide me on configuring the APs to achieve this objective
Easiest for you
(myself, I would take a shortcut via caps mode but then you need to start from 0 with wifi config, so let’s not do that):
connect PC/laptop to ether2 on cap XL AC
connect using Winbox and MAC address (not IP address)
(beware: it could be password is on a label on the back of the device or a separate label in the box)
make a new user for yourself with your own passwd, full rights. Log in again using those new credentials (personally: this is the point where I delete admin user)
Winbox / Quickset (yes everyone, Quickset)
choose WISP AP, set your wifi settings, config mode = bridged and automatic address acquisition
Apply
Problem: this Quickset will only configure 5GHz part. But you should be able to figure out then how to change 2GHz part.
After this, NEVER use Quickset again unless you start from default config again.
Only as a side note/question/doubt.
Is it actually convenient to use CAPsman when only two or three devices are involved?
From what I understand managing the two or three devices “independently” is easier, while when the number of devices increases the initial complexities of CAPsman are compensated by later easier management.
Side answer then:
depends on what you need to achieve.
Pure setup of AP, much easier standalone for most / newcomers.
But if you want to benefit from central management and better roaming, capsman is advised.
(IMHO to be honest, it’s not thát much more effort to setup capsman versus standalone mode since in wave2 it are the exact same tabs/screens to be used).
I am of the ilk that first you get a solid config with the network up and running and then you tweak.
In the long run, I would tend to agree if both wifi setups are of the same vintage and it will benefit roaming, capsman may be a logical goal to reach for.
Its all going to work just fine without it, but not as Optimal with best roaming etc.. But doesn’t give extra range or anything like that, smoother handovers is the outcome!
Note, its not a matter of the number of APs, alone, they have to be MT APs, and ideally same vintage.
I also note that the cap device is not the same wifi as the axe device, and that adds another layer of complexity getting in the way of easily getting the network up and running!
I think what was noted earlier is smartest. Get the OP setup learning vlans and the wifi of each vintage first, up and running and working.
Then, consider adding capsman into the mix, later on. My .o1 cents.
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So far this is an easy case of pcunites bridge vlan filtering.
All vlans, one bridge FOR ALL THREE MT devices.
Trunk port on ax3 to trunk port on switch.
Trunk port on switch to trunk port on capac ( consider configuring cap on the bench next to the PC using ether2 (offf bridge) prior to installing ( also if not easily accessible, wire up ether2 like ether1, to a location where you can easily plug in with a laptop )
Trunk port on switch to trunk port on CrS310
Management vlan99 is passed to both devices and this is the subnet they get their IP address from.
I can set this up for both the cap and the CR310 in five minutes each.
Ask me to do capsman on top… give me a week LOL.
Hello
So this is to configure the CAP to conect with the ROUTER?
there is a little problem if i can say that i have conection ppoe using on the router .
In my case (setup at home hAP ax3 as a router, hAP ax lite as AP+switch) CAPsman was (almost) the easiest route (using wifi configuration profiles on the hAP ax3 + enabling capsman, reset to CAP mode of the hAP ax lite). But the 2 devices are already ax (no driver mismatches). The ugliest part was to lock channel on 5GHz, but since the ax lite does not have 5GHx interface, I was able to set the config directly on the wifi1 device.
, but I wanted a “definite” suggested number/where to draw some lines, something like:.
).