topic Re: Setting up a Home Mesh with CAP3702i-e-k9 in Wireless

Setting up a Home Mesh with CAP3702i-e-k9

SpiroX — Fri, 13 Dec 2024 15:55:49 GMT

Hi All

i'm looking for help and some instructions on how to setup a Home Mesh using 4 x Air-CAP3702i-e-k9 , i do not have a controller on hand , and will be using a Normal POE Injector to power the units up , is there a possible post of guidance on how to setup the units so that they have backend haul via the switch , and will do Auto handover to each access point while having the same SSiD throughout my house

Any instructions or solutions will be more than welcome,

Thanks

Spirox

Re: Setting up a Home Mesh with CAP3702i-e-k9

Flavio Miranda — Fri, 13 Dec 2024 18:06:10 GMT

@SpiroX

This AP will not do mesh unless you put it in a WLC. What you can do is install Mobility Express, which is similar to WLC but run on the AP itself. But, not sure you can download it from Cisco site without a valid service contract.

Re: Setting up a Home Mesh with CAP3702i-e-k9

SpiroX — Fri, 13 Dec 2024 18:19:12 GMT

Thanks @Flavio Miranda , i'm busy downloading Mobility Express, will start experimenting, thank you

Re: Setting up a Home Mesh with CAP3702i-e-k9

RxTx — Fri, 13 Dec 2024 21:20:22 GMT

Hi,

The 2702 and 3702 do not support Mobility Express, they only run on Autonomous firmware or LWAP for a controller.

You need 2802/3802 to run Mobility Express.

My advice is to run 3702 with Autonomous firmware and connect all of them with LAN cable to switch so you can enjoy good wifi speed.

Just set all AP's with the same SSID/password and config the RF properly and wifi clients will pick the best AP it have in range.

Re: Setting up a Home Mesh with CAP3702i-e-k9

Rich R — Wed, 25 Dec 2024 23:07:18 GMT

Like @RxTx said.

The only thing to add is if you were going to use 802.1x authentication for your SSID then autonomous APs do support a feature called WDS and Fast Secure Roaming.
https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/td/docs/wireless/access_point/atnms-ap-8x/configuration/guide/cg-book/cg-chap12-wdsroam-rm.html
But I doubt that you will be using 802.1x at home so simply having all the APs on the same SSID and connected by LAN is best. Clients will have a brief re-authentication as they roam between the APs but should be more than adequate for home use.
Streaming apps won't even notice the handover due to buffering, while real-time voice/video might see a brief drop.