I just configured my MikroTik hAP ac2 to operate in bridge mode and it seems to have lost its mind or developed a split personality syndrome.
With my browser I connected to the default http://192.168.88.1 set up address and configured it as a WAP, i.e. I chose “bridge mode.”
I created a new SSID and set the initial administrative password and passphrase for WiFi auth. While I was attached to the MikroTik via https://192.168.88.1 I noticed it had received a IP address lease from my dhcpd server so I left that alone. I clicked on the “check for RouterOS updates” button and nothing happened. It works as a WAP but there are two problems.
It has two SSIDs, the factory one and the one I created. (Both work.) I see the device talking to my Debian dhcpd server and it’s got a lease but I cannot connect to it.
Mar 23 11:11:32 ns1 dhcpd[416]: DHCPREQUEST for 192.168.10.14 from 49:8f:5f:7d:v8:ca (hAPac2) via ens3
Mar 23 11:11:32 ns1 dhcpd[416]: DHCPACK on 192.168.10.14 to 49:8f:5f:7d:v8:ca (hAPac2) via ens3
Update:
So I managed to do a factory reset and was able to upgrade to the latest, stable RouterOS. I configured the device the same way I did yesterday but the results are the same. I still have a phantom device on my network that does perform well as a WAP, but I can’t connect to the admin http interface.
You can use Webfig which is a web interface similar to WinBox, or you can use a Telnet or preferably SSH session to configure it with a text based interface.
If you are on a MAC, apparently there is a way to run WinBox on a MAC, but I don’t use a MAC, so I have no details.
If you are on linux, you should be used to text based configuration - but you can still run Webfig if desired.
And if you are on Windows, you can use any of the above, or WinBox.
I managed to get the device working while still being accessible via webfig’s Quick Set interface. Hallelujah.
The solution was to attach only one Ethernet cable, and plug it into any port except port 1.
Then configure Ethernet ports 2 through 5 for the same, single VLAN1.
I was able to give the device a static IP address, too.
My only sadness now is that I bought this device thinking it was ddwrt/openwrt/tomato compatible. Oh well. Maybe one day.
I would lose access to it every time I got the device partway configured.
I never would have bought this device if I had known the preferred method of management was via Windows. Windows is . . . an abomination. I’m being polite.
In other words, you bought something other than what you are looking for, and then are bitching that it does not work the way you wanted. Frankly, I am VERY glad that it is no ddwrt compatible.
Likely your fault. For example, if you change the IP subnet of the device, of course you are going to lose connection to it - until you change the IP of your computer.
Although I don’t normally use it, Webfig works just fine.
WinBox is the ONLY configuration method that requires (sort of) Windows. MOST of the proficient users use a SSH text session - which can be run from just about anything.
BTW, the Quick setup should ONLY be used once. If you make ANY other changes, going back and using the quick setup again will overwrite your changes.
Yeah, I’m an idiot and I mean that sincerely. I just wish manufacturer had some good documentation for J. Average SOHO User. Simple use cases written by native English speakers. I don’t like “wizard” setup GUIs and I am a CLI oriented *nix user but the printed “quick start” document that came with the device didn’t have much useful info in it.
I’m still not understanding why the Quick Set Dual AP page (the working config) is telling me the hAP has a dhcp lease AND the static IP I gave the device. I have only one Ethernet cable plugged in. I can’t ping the IP of the alleged dhcp lease.
I am having a similar problem. I am trying to configure my Mikrotik hAP ac2 router as a wireless access point. I was initially able to access the admin console as http://192.168.88.1. However, I can no longer access it by that IP address. I am able to connect to the wireless network Mikrotik -510D65, but still can’t find the IP address to acess the admin console so I can have control over the configuration of the device. I’ve used arp-scan to to try to find the IP address associated with the MAC address of the device, but don’t find it reported there.
Thank you for your suggestion. For some background, initially I was able to get to the admin interface. Using that interface, I changed the IP address of the Mikrotik to fall within the range of my subnet, I think it was after i did that that I could no longer access it, and haven’t been able to since, even after a hard reset.
I tried to find it’s IP address by using the command arp-scan 192.168.xx.0/24, which returned several other devices I recognize, but not the Mikrotik.
I’ve installed WinBox and launched it. It’s set to select from neighbors. If I click refresh, nothing shows up in the neighbors list. I’ve tried with the ethernet cable plugged into the first port of the Mikrotik and also with it plugged into the second port. I’ve also reset the router. I’ve tried with blank password and with the password that is printed on the router label.
When I use the MAC address, I get the error: “Could not connect. MacConnection syn timeout.”
When I use the default IP address 192.168.88.1, it spends longer trying to connect but eventually fails with “Connection timed out”.
You do know the IP address of the router? Set a fixed IP address on the computer, within the same subnet, and connect?
Last resort (if everything fails) is using netinstall to reset the device completely. Ofcourse the config is whiped, but you should be able to reconfigure.
I finally figured it out. I needed to plug the Mikrotik router directly into my computer instead of the network switch or my main router. Once i did that I was able to see the Mikrotik (192.168.1.88) from my computer and configure as a bridge and then put it back on the subnet. Thank you for the help.
- but you can still run Webfig if desired.