I’ve had my AP6 Pro APs Cat6 cabled directly to my 48-port POE switch directly to get WiFi into our house build to configure/enable other smart home devices. As my rack has evolved I decided to punch down the APs to keystones and patch into the switch. The first one I switched ended up meshing off of another AP instead of getting network directly from the switch. I tried a second to see if the first was a fluke with the same results. I assume I should be able to set these with keystones and patch for the optimal results. Is there something I need to change on the AP or switch settings?
The most common reason why wired APs start meshing is due to termination and/or cabling issues. If they are unable to reach the Internet/gateway via their wired connection, they will automatically flip to mesh mode. APs in this condition can very easily create network loops as the wired connection cuts in and out, and ultimately cause major network disruptions. You can disable mesh mode to avoid loops, but ultimately you will need to check the termination/cable at some point when the AP loses wired connectivity again.
I personally have never had good luck with keystones achieving 1 Gbps links and high packet-success-rates. I always terminate to an RJ45 connector, and then use a patch panel or go directly to my POE switch.
I tested the lines with my NetAlly and they came back good. They’re getting power, plugged into the same POE ports, so it’s odd that that they went to mesh.
I’ve seen many APs’ lines test fine with a tester (Fluke is the most accurate IMO), mesh intermittently, then I reterminated the ends, and the AP stops meshing.
I re-terminated with RJ45 and they are working perfectly. Just disappointing as I have gaps in my patch panel and the look of routing the WAP cables around the side of the rack is not clean.
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Totally get it. Cable management is definitely an art.
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Hi Jeff, I’m looking for network testing equipment and I know about Fluke and NetAlly. I’d like to ask, after using many brands in our professional team, if we want to add Wi-Fi analysis, is Fluke more accurate? Or are there any other recommended vendors for initial use?
Each test vendor has their strengths. I’m afraid I don’t use any of them enough to make a general recommendation, but I have heard from our support team that Fluke cable testers can find problems more accurately than others. I know several people who absolutely love NetAlly for WiFi testing.
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