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gibbo
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2nd Router as extra AP?

Sun Jan 09, 2022 5:15 am

How do I configure a second Mikrotik router as an additional access point on my home network?
I have two RB951G-2HnD boxes, one is already setup as a 'Home AP'.
How do I go ahead and configure the 2nd box to become an extra 'transparent' AP/bridge.
Does anyone have a guide?
I was looking here, but the instructions are a little too high level for me, I need more details.
https://www.reddit.com/r/mikrotik/comme ... ter_as_an/

Thanks in Advance!
 
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BartoszP
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Re: 2nd Router as extra AP?

Sun Jan 09, 2022 9:44 am

Option A.
Remove any routing configuration from the second router (make it dumb) and configure just AP on it.

Option A1. Configure same SSID on it and let the computers too choose AP they use.
Option A2. Configure different SSID to visibly differrentiate which AP you are accessing.

Option B. Configure CAPMAN

https://wiki.mikrotik.com/wiki/Manual:S ... sMAN_setup
 
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anav
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Re: 2nd Router as extra AP?

Sun Jan 09, 2022 8:17 pm

Do you mean wired to the main router or a wireless connection to the main unit............
If its simply wired,,,,,,,,,,,then do what you would do for an access point...........
 
gibbo
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Re: 2nd Router as extra AP?

Mon Jan 10, 2022 10:26 am

Both boxes will be hardwired to a switch.
Thanks for the help so far.
 
gibbo
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Re: 2nd Router as extra AP?

Mon Jan 10, 2022 10:29 am

Option A.
Remove any routing configuration from the second router (make it dumb) and configure just AP on it.

Option A1. Configure same SSID on it and let the computers too choose AP they use.
Option A2. Configure different SSID to visibly differrentiate which AP you are accessing.

Option B. Configure CAPMAN

https://wiki.mikrotik.com/wiki/Manual:S ... sMAN_setup

Thanks, but I need a guide on how to do option A1.
 
Rugx
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Re: 2nd Router as extra AP?

Mon Jan 10, 2022 1:24 pm

Thanks, but I need a guide on how to do option A1.
Specify the setup of included devices. Both APs are connected via ether cable to the main switch or sth, or you want one to connect to the other via wireless and transmit further?
 
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anav
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Re: 2nd Router as extra AP?

Mon Jan 10, 2022 5:04 pm

Use this as a guide, and look at post #4.
viewtopic.php?t=143620
or any post by me that discusses AP setup.
 
gibbo
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Re: 2nd Router as extra AP?

Sat Jan 15, 2022 9:58 am

Thanks, but I need a guide on how to do option A1.
Specify the setup of included devices. Both APs are connected via ether cable to the main switch or sth, or you want one to connect to the other via wireless and transmit further?

Both are connected via cat5 to a switch.
I'd like just one SSID on both devices.
AP1 is working fine, I just need to know how to add in AP2 to do the same job on the same SSID.
 
holvoetn
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Re: 2nd Router as extra AP?

Sat Jan 15, 2022 10:39 am

At the risk of cursing in the church ...

Since you're behind another router:
- reset 2nd AP to factory settings
- connect via Winbox
- set password and make sure you remember
- Quickset - HomeAP
-- Set your Wireless settings, SSID and security the same as on AP1
-- Internet - set automatic (it will get DHCP lease)
-- Leave Firewall router and Discovery as default
-- Local network and DHCP, leave open
-- No NAT, no UPnP
-- No VPN access

I think that should do it. If I missed something, surely someone will correct me.
Never touch Quickset again hereafter.
 
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bpwl
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Re: 2nd Router as extra AP?

Sat Jan 15, 2022 12:23 pm

Home AP will make a second separate network if not set to bridge mode. (I don't like QuickSet, lack of control)

To add an AP to an existing network, just as an extra AP with no own network range, set everything as bridged (ethernet and WLAN interfaces)
The extra AP will extend the network as a switch, and will just bridge/switch connect the AP SSID (wifi) with the rest of the network (ethernet)
The extra network AP must be connected to the LAN side of the other AP. (Important if that other AP does the transition from WAN to LAN (e.g. Home AP)

Detailed example is here: viewtopic.php?p=905562#p905562
 
holvoetn
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Re: 2nd Router as extra AP?

Sat Jan 15, 2022 12:35 pm

I knew it someone would come with a better suggestion :lol:
 
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bpwl
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Re: 2nd Router as extra AP?

Sat Jan 15, 2022 1:02 pm

Yes @holvoetn, surprising that this simple "AP mode (as a switch)" is not in the Quickset list. Too close to CAP mode ? Why force CAPsMAN on small installations ?
Or is it there as a special case of CAP mode for standalone use ?

Or is it too easy to set up. Not for a beginner who just wants to add an AP to a network, but expects to only have to set SSID/password.
Maybe it is available in the Mikrotik Home APP ? (Have yet to test on a free MT, don't want to mess up my configs)
 
holvoetn
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Re: 2nd Router as extra AP?

Sat Jan 15, 2022 1:09 pm

No. You are correct.
There is, so it seems, no bridging in homeAP, at least not with mAP, where I had a look.
You'd think that especially map and lite would have that as option...
 
gibbo
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Re: 2nd Router as extra AP?

Sat Jan 15, 2022 1:45 pm

Home AP will make a second separate network if not set to bridge mode. (I don't like QuickSet, lack of control)

To add an AP to an existing network, just as an extra AP with no own network range, set everything as bridged (ethernet and WLAN interfaces)
The extra AP will extend the network as a switch, and will just bridge/switch connect the AP SSID (wifi) with the rest of the network (ethernet)
The extra network AP must be connected to the LAN side of the other AP. (Important if that other AP does the transition from WAN to LAN (e.g. Home AP)

Detailed example is here: viewtopic.php?p=905562#p905562
Thanks
I guess I wont need to know which one of these to use then!
PTP Bridge AP
PTP Bridge CPE
 
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bpwl
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Re: 2nd Router as extra AP?

Sat Jan 15, 2022 2:01 pm

Indeed not. Unless you do a wifi interconnect between MT AP (PTP or PtMP), rather than an ethernet connect, which I understand is the case here.
And QuickSet is very limited in its capabilities.
So do not use QuickSet at all (until maybe we find a useful configuration in QuickSet for a network connected AP, which I have not found so far).

Never go to QuickSet after you have done things in the configuration (Webfig or Winbox on the non-QuickSet menus). QuickSet might destroy your settings without warning, it just sets things without taking into account the existing configuration.

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