I am setting up a wireless network and I am trying to use MESH WDS. I was able to configure the Metals with no problem and they all connect to each other, I have en good signal between them and good pings. I use the configuration of Model 1 on this wiki : http://wiki.mikrotik.com/wiki/Wireless_WDS_Mesh

Now the issue, I have really bad internet. For some reason the internet does not work, I can connect to the AP I sometimes get an IP address but I can’t surf the internet, sometimes I don’t even get an IP address. If I go the MAIN AP, the one that is connected directly to the fiber optics I surf with no issues. Another issue I encounter was if I put another wireless link on another AP and make that AP join the MESH network, "for redundancy” for some reason the internet disappears. This wireless link is the same fiber optic internet access in my main tower. Right now I only have the Main AP plus 4 AP doing Mesh. My goal is to build a big MESH network for my home town if this is possible. So if MESH WDS for Mikrotik can work, this would be great!!

My question is, does anyone have a working MESH WDS with Mikrotik Equipment? If you do, since it appears that all AP use the same configuration, can you send me the configuration of that working MESH Network to test? I think my configuration is missing something and I am getting loops everywhere one I set the AP up. Two AP no problem as soon as I connect the third one everything goes bad.

Also, when I first started this project I thought of just putting an SXT to connect to the Main Tower and have the Metal as a regular AP. I am thinking of doing this but it will increment cost. Do you think I should just go ahead and do the network this way?


Another thing just for your info, I am installing them every 100-150 meters from each other, don’t think this matters but the more info the better..

In the image, The one named TONY is the MAIN AP, this one connects to my Main Tower and have the Internet, Zavala Abouve it, Jaimie and Sinsa Viejo are the ones I am doing the MESH with, the others I have not installed yet sonce I am having this issue.

Thanks and God Bless,

Daniel

Why WDS

You loose half the speed with WDS

Why do you use no omnitiks.create a omnitik in the center as accesspoint.
The other connects to the omnitiks center omnitik on 5 GHz.
Per omnitik place a mettal as access point for client access

Thank you plisken,

I think that’s what I am going to do, I am going to get rid of the MESH WDS, it has to much problems... It’s not stable at all. This was my original setup:

Main Tower -- Fiber Optic connected to my RB2011L Ether1, 3 BaseBox 5.8ghz with a 16dbi Ubiquiti 120 Sectors.

Repeaters -- SXT Lite 5.8 ghz and the Metal 2.4ghz for clients...

I will be setting up 144 APs and of course I will have them spread out though the channels 1, 6, 11, etc, always keeping them from overlapping channels.

I do have a concern and would like to hear from you guys, back in the USA when I setup apartment complexes I used to set different SSID per AP, this way residents could pick the one that had the most signal. Should I do the same here? The issue is because it could be that a user has about the same signal from both AP and I think it might just be disassociating then from one to the other… Can you give me your point of view on this matter?

Thank you so much for the response plisken

No problem Dannyboy if you want you can me give karma.
I appresiate this

plisken,

So what do you think, should I use different SSID per AP or use the same SSID on all APs?

Use the same ssid and security settings . It enables roaming for clients. Just take care to have small cells with different frequencies around.

What Jarda says is the best solution.

Use the same SSID and different channels at access points that are close together.
Limit the power of the access points.
This to reduce disturb each other.

Hey guys,

Great, thanks a lot I will keep you posted... So all SSIDs, different channels and low power... So clients will still be able to roam??? I didn't know that, I thought they were going to disconnect and had to reconnect to new AP... Like I said i will keep you guys posted... Thanks again!!

Hello guys,

I have setup a sector of the city hotspot I am creating. I have semi followed what you guys suggested. The image below shows my setup. For some reason I am having connectivity issues, mostly with tablets and cell phones. I have spoken with some other people and they are telling me that the groove metal its really not a good choice for this kind of use. This is whats happening, sometimes when I try to connect with my phone, I have full bars and I am close to the AP,
1. my connection just says connecting and it never connects.
2. Sometimes it connects fast and takes time for to obtain an IP address if none at all.
3. Sometimes it connects gets ip address but surfing is extremely slow or none at all.

At the same time when we are doing this testings, ad run the at the main office I have someone go and run the winbox, we have connection to all AP and bridges. The issue I see its that sometimes we login to the unit but it does not show any info, so we need to re login again.

Any suggestion? What other equipment do you suggest I should use instead of the groove?

Daniel

What is the used SSID?
Why i ask?
Do not use any characters in the SSID as: _-() etc

What signal strength of connected devices do you see at ap? Even the ap is powerful it cannot hear low power transmission from mobiles. When I wrote about small cells I meant something like 50m radius. How far are those problematic devices? If you need to cover big area for mobiles, you need much more APs.

And what antennas do you use? At what height? Are the mobiles on the ground or at the same height as antennas?

Hello,

I have good signal from the mobile devices, on my phone for example I get -52. The Antena I am using its the 6 dbvi antena that comes with the grooves and the are on a 20 ft pole on the roof of houses, so like 30 ft high... The SSID "Do have a Character!!" I have called them NavigoWiFi_#1,NavigoWiFi_#2,NavigoWiFi_#3 etc all the way to 5.. Do you think this is the issue? OMG I hope so!!! I am changing them to navigowifi1 and so on to see the effect.

Thanks

Daniboy

No caracters please
Some iPhone's cannot handle this remove !!
Update to the latest routeros 6.20 please also upgrade the bios.

great I will test!!! karma going your way!!

Do not use v 6.20 now my network is down...

What"s happend?

for some reason they stopped working, and two of them I had to change. I downgraded to .19... The two I had to change for some reason they are in a loop, just keep rebooting and I have no time to do anything to it.. I tried reseting them but no luck,,, Any ideas?

thanks

The only way to fix this is netinstall

Ok, I will try to do the netinstall, I have been busy lately.....

I am not able to fix the two grooves, since its just rebooting every 2 sec, it does not give me access to do anything!!!!! This happend when I updated to latest version 6.20... Any ideas_????

While you turn on the power.
Keep the reset button pressed.
Behind 20 seconds let you loose.
What happens?

If that not helps open the groove and short the 2 islands (circle on the picture) a few seconds while you turn on the power.

Thanks for the information, I did all that you suggested, I was able to re install version 6.19, but my AP does not work... It does not let any wireless device associate with it... I have also tried to downgrade to 6.15 since a couple of people have told me that that version is the one that is really stable, but it is not downgrading either... 2 of my grooves have died....

I dont know what else to do...

It's strange. Have you fully reset the config without loading the default configuration? Try it. Then do just minimal config to create ap and try to connect.

Hello Dannyboy, have you setup the country settings by "wireless" "advanced"

Go to "new terminal" type "export"

Post this here on this forum

Hello,
Here is the default config, I only changed from station to AP Bridge, and still no connection to devices... I also tried with different countries and still no connection.. It keeps saying Access Point did not respond.

# jan/02/1970 00:02:31 by RouterOS 6.19
# software id = ARP1-8WPS
#
/interface ethernet
set [ find default-name=ether1 ] name=ether1-local
/interface wireless
set [ find default-name=wlan1 ] band=2ghz-b/g/n channel-width=20/40mhz-ht-above disabled=no l2mtu=2290 mode=ap-bridge name=wlan1-gateway
/ip neighbor discovery
set wlan1-gateway discover=no
/ip pool
add name=default-dhcp ranges=192.168.88.10-192.168.88.254
/ip dhcp-server
add address-pool=default-dhcp disabled=no interface=ether1-local lease-time=10m name=default
/ip address
add address=192.168.88.1/24 comment="default configuration" interface=ether1-local network=192.168.88.0
/ip dhcp-client
add comment="default configuration" dhcp-options=hostname,clientid disabled=no interface=wlan1-gateway
/ip dhcp-server network
add address=192.168.88.0/24 comment="default configuration" dns-server=192.168.88.1 gateway=192.168.88.1
/ip dns
set allow-remote-requests=yes
/ip dns static
add address=192.168.88.1 name=router
/ip firewall filter
add chain=input comment="default configuration" protocol=icmp
add chain=input comment="default configuration" connection-state=established
add chain=input comment="default configuration" connection-state=related
add action=drop chain=input comment="default configuration" in-interface=wlan1-gateway
add chain=forward comment="default configuration" connection-state=established
add chain=forward comment="default configuration" connection-state=related
add action=drop chain=forward comment="default configuration" connection-state=invalid
/ip firewall nat
add action=masquerade chain=srcnat comment="default configuration" out-interface=wlan1-gateway
/ip upnp
set allow-disable-external-interface=no
/system lcd
set contrast=0 enabled=no port=parallel type=24x4
/system lcd page
set time disabled=yes display-time=5s
set resources disabled=yes display-time=5s
set uptime disabled=yes display-time=5s
set packets disabled=yes display-time=5s
set bits disabled=yes display-time=5s
set version disabled=yes display-time=5s
set identity disabled=yes display-time=5s
set wlan1-gateway disabled=yes display-time=5s
set ether1-local disabled=yes display-time=5s
/tool mac-server
set [ find default=yes ] disabled=yes
add interface=ether1-local

Here is the export file with country USA.

# jan/01/2002 01:11:01 by RouterOS 6.19
# software id = ARP1-8WPS
#
/interface ethernet
set [ find default-name=ether1 ] name=ether1-local
/interface wireless
set [ find default-name=wlan1 ] antenna-gain=6 band=2ghz-b/g/n channel-width=20/40mhz-ht-above country="united states" disabled=no l2mtu=2290 mode=ap-bridge name=\
wlan1-gateway
/ip neighbor discovery
set wlan1-gateway discover=no
/ip pool
add name=default-dhcp ranges=192.168.88.10-192.168.88.254
/ip dhcp-server
add address-pool=default-dhcp disabled=no interface=ether1-local lease-time=10m name=default
/ip address
add address=192.168.88.1/24 comment="default configuration" interface=ether1-local network=192.168.88.0
/ip dhcp-client
add comment="default configuration" dhcp-options=hostname,clientid disabled=no interface=wlan1-gateway
/ip dhcp-server network
add address=192.168.88.0/24 comment="default configuration" dns-server=192.168.88.1 gateway=192.168.88.1
/ip dns
set allow-remote-requests=yes
/ip dns static
add address=192.168.88.1 name=router
/ip firewall filter
add chain=input comment="default configuration" protocol=icmp
add chain=input comment="default configuration" connection-state=established
add chain=input comment="default configuration" connection-state=related
add action=drop chain=input comment="default configuration" in-interface=wlan1-gateway
add chain=forward comment="default configuration" connection-state=established
add chain=forward comment="default configuration" connection-state=related
add action=drop chain=forward comment="default configuration" connection-state=invalid
/ip firewall nat
add action=masquerade chain=srcnat comment="default configuration" out-interface=wlan1-gateway
/ip upnp
set allow-disable-external-interface=no
/system lcd
set contrast=0 enabled=no port=parallel type=24x4
/system lcd page
set time disabled=yes display-time=5s
set resources disabled=yes display-time=5s
set uptime disabled=yes display-time=5s
set packets disabled=yes display-time=5s
set bits disabled=yes display-time=5s
set version disabled=yes display-time=5s
set identity disabled=yes display-time=5s
set wlan1-gateway disabled=yes display-time=5s
set ether1-local disabled=yes display-time=5s
/tool mac-server
set [ find default=yes ] disabled=yes
add interface=ether1-local
/tool mac-server mac-winbox
set [ find default=yes ] disabled=yes
add interface=ether1-local

Thanks for your help..

I copy that in my groove and try to see whats happend.

How is the groove connect with the routerboard?
Can you make a plan of that?
So that i can see how it works?

Where are the DHCP-server active?

Reset the groove without default configuration.

Copy and paste this in "new terminal.

Caution: no password or country settings are made

This config is made with Groove A-52HPn see if frequency is wright because i can choose between 5 GHz and 2.4 GHz frequency

/interface bridge
add name=bridge1
/interface wireless
set [ find default-name=wlan1 ] band=2ghz-b/g/n disabled=no frequency=2412 \
l2mtu=1600 mode=ap-bridge ssid=testing wireless-protocol=802.11
/system logging action
set 2 remember=yes
/interface bridge port
add bridge=bridge1 interface=wlan1
add bridge=bridge1 interface=ether1
/ip dhcp-client
add dhcp-options=hostname,clientid disabled=no interface=bridge1
/ip upnp
set allow-disable-external-interface=no
/snmp
set trap-community=public
/system leds
set 0 interface=wlan1
/system routerboard settings
set cpu-frequency=600MHz
/tool user-manager database
set db-path=user-manager

plisken,

Nothing my friend, still not working... version 6.20 had an issue and broke my grooves. Now back in version 6.19 it does not work... Maybe I can use them as station, will test them for that...

See you the SSID?
See you the wireless interface?

Iff nothing helps

make supout.rif and send this to
support@mikrotik.com

Yes I can see all that, but when any wielress device try to connect it says AP does not respond.. I will send file to mikrotik...

I was able to downgrade to 6.15 but I am still having same issue... Here is whats happening when I connect with my device... stays connecting then says network mikrotik didnt respond. here is an image..

Your signal is to strong i think.
Can you make a printscreen from your wireless connection status?

I think you must reduce the power from your devices
Greatings

hello plisken,

I tested away from the AP with two phones and my laptop, I had two bars and still did the same thing... I am still waiting for a response from MT. I hope the give me a solution soon..

Daniel

See by "wireless" "advanced" set the distance on
for example 3 km try it out if this works.

If that not helps set this on "indoor"

If that not helps i let it over to Mikrotik.

I hope i help you so not let us know what Mikrotik has done.

Goodluck

Hello plisken,

No luck, we gona have to wait for MT to answer me... On the other hand \i have a question about routing protocols. Let me explain my setup in one city block.

Main Tower: we have a BaseBox 5.8 ghz and 120 deg 14 dbi antenna as bridgeAP. PC with RouterOS and using 128.16.0.1/16 for network. Using Hotspot.

First city block: SXT lite 5.8ghz for backhaul as client, -58 signal and above 250 mbps connection. Groove Metal as AP-Bridge with 6 dbi antenna connected to SXT. WDS Static to another Groove Metal around the corner with good connection.

Today I was having issues on this sector, also sometimes I have it in other sectors. The issue was that I was getting good connection, computer, cell phone connected to the network fine, ping to 8.8.8.8 works fine but if I open browser no navigation is available.

I am wondering if using such a class B subnet is giving me issues? Maybe goto a class C work better? Also I was wondering about this routing protocols, OSPF, MPLS etc would make a big difference?

Also was wondering if you could help me design this network with all this protocols to make it more efficient? I can reset everything from scratch and configure all with your design. I think I am having lots of routing issues and dont know where to begin...

Thanks you.

Hello Dannyboy
Can you contact me on my email adres on my website?

hello,

I will contact you, thank you.. MT Support has not answer me with my issue via email... Its been some time now. Update, nothing from MT Support. I have been reading about open-mesh and I have decided to do my city wifi with their equipment, had to many wds issues with the groove. OM does all the mesh for me and that's something I need here, some people have reported 30mbps speeds after the fifth hop, I will never have more than two. I will keep my hotspot with MT and my authentication with CaptiveRadius from http://www.activeprism.in/ incredible software... I still will use the grooves for ptm clients, I just need to make a special pringle tube for them.

I will send you my skype via email and we will keep in touch.

greetings
Danny boy & plisken
I hv read this thread. i also want to setup a mesh wds in a city. but i am confused what to use. i want to know if DANNYBOY has resolved all the issues. if yes can you please send me your network diagram.
thanks

Hello,

I did resolve the WDS issue, what I did was only use three WDS per sector. Meaning my main AP and two ap on WDS. Now I suppose you can use more, but I woould do static routing for that. Also remember that the actual throughtput on a ptp link is 50% of what the radio says, and everytime you use WDS it cuts the throughput in half.. So lests say you have an excelent link of 300mbps, your true throughput is 150mbps, one WDS cuts it to 75mpbs, two wds cuts it to 35 and so on. If the links are good and you will only give 2mbps "internet" than you can calculate from there. Also I would suggest an AP to only handle 20 users, if the are all connected your maxout will be 40mbps.. But thats statistics now!!