Hi
I used the built-in help to check the requirements for clustering, I copied it below;
The AP cluster is a dynamic, configuration-aware group of APs in the same subnet of a network. Each cluster can have up to 10 members. The cluster provides a single point of administration and enables you to view the deployment of access points as a single wireless network rather than a series of separate wireless devices. A network subnet can have multiple clusters. Clusters can share various configuration information, such as VAP settings and QoS queue parameters.
A cluster can be formed between two APs if the following conditions are met:
-The APs use the same radio mode (for example, radio 1 uses 802.11g)
-The APs are connected on the same bridged segment. (same LAN segement vlan)
-The APs joining the cluster have the same Cluster Name.
-Clustering mode is enabled on both APs
So lets start again, they are a breeze to setup.
- Seems like you are not meeting the first requirement in red above..Seems the APs Gigabit copper ethernet interfaces have to be in the same network segment (on the same VLAN). I don't think so. ( If you can't get to the AP's management interface I doubt it). The AP's talk between themselves on the copper ports.
- When this previous requirement is met, make sure you are at the current version of code/firmware on both units, which is version 2 code: AP541N-K9-2.0.0.tar. It's always good to read the release notes, a section of it says;
If you upgraded from firmware version 1.7.2 to 1.8.0, 1.9.0, 1.9.1, 1.9.2, or 2.0.0 you must reset the device to factory defaults by pressing and holding the Reset button for 10 seconds or more. You should manually reconfigure the device for your network. If you reload the configuration file created by using firmware version 1.7.2 and attempt to run it on firmware version1.8.x, 1.9.x, or 2.0.x, the results are unpredictable.
- So if you upgrade your AP's , reset them now to factory defaults.
- now again go back and make sure you can get to the management interface of both AP's.
- The cluster name must be the same, which by default is the same, so initially you do not have to alter the cluster name.
- But, I like to set the wireless channel to a specific channel, because I like the idea of using automatic channel management.
hmmm stop and think....why is this guy (me) manually setting the wireless channel to a specific channel if he wants to enable automatic wireless channel management.
Well read carefully the help text. It's a bit counter intuitive. When i manually set to a particular wireless channel and the AP when in cluster mode, the channel can then be automatically altered by the AP so it can adjust the wireless channel for optimum consitions...yep counter intuitive.
- Once you have set wireless channel to a channel, then apply that change.
- Go back to cluster tab select channel management tab.
- Now you can enable automatic channel management, and the radio then alters that channel, as it deems fit.
- If the wireless channel is set to auto, wireless channel management doesn't work.. as I said, it's a bit counter intuitive.
try these changes and report how it's going.
regards Dave
