DZS MESH-2100-GE Original operating instructions

Copyright © 2020 DASAN Zhone Solutions Document Number: 830-04383-01
MESH-2100-GE
Quick Installation Instructions
Document Number: 830-04383-01
September 2020
Package Contents:
•1 x MESH-2100-GE
•1 x Quick Install Guide
•1 x Power supply
Installation
For installations with more than one MESH-2100-GE, select
one unit to be used as the main MESH controller and follow the
instructions presented on the current document.
1. Mounting
The MESH-2100-GE may be mounted on flat surfaces
such as a desktop. The MESH-2100-GE is equipped with
an extendable base to enhance stability.
2. Connect Power
a. Plug the round two pin 12V DC power connector of
power converter into the MESH-2100-GE power port
b. Plug the input of power converter into a live AC outlet
c. Verify that the POWER LED on the MESH-2100-GE
is solid white indicating local power is on and voltage
is good
See MESH-2100-GE LED Behavior for a complete
description of the LEDs.
3. Configuring SSID and Wi-Fi Key (Optional)
This step is optional. Each MESH-2100-GE comes with a
set of default Wi-Fi SSID and passphrase located on the
bottom information label. If using the defaults, step 3 (this
step) may be skipped.
a. Power up the MESH-2100-GE as described in the
previous step, Connect Power. This is the main
MESH controller
b. Use a UTP cable between MESH-2100-GE Ethernet
ports and a PC Ethernet port
c. Configure a fixed IP address on your PC, for example
192.168.1.101 (for detailed instructions refer to your
operating system documentation; for Windows OS fol-
low these instructions https://support.microsoft.com/
en-us/help/15089/windows-change-tcp-ip-settings)
d. Open a web browser and input http://192.168.1.100
e. When prompted for credentials enter "admin" as user
and for password "DZSXXXXXXXXX" where
"XXXXXXXXX" is the 9-digit serial number found on
the unit label
f. Navigate to 5GHz Wi-Fi > Config
g. Change SSID
h. Change Password
i. Click Save
j. If needed repeat for 2.4Ghz Wi-Fi
NOTE: by default, when changing the configuration of
the 5GHz radio, the configuration of the SSID and
passphrase will be replicated on all radios and all ac-
cess points forming part of the MESH ecosystem.

Copyright © 2020 DASAN Zhone Solutions Document Number: 830-04383-01
4. Setting Up Your MESH Network
The first MESH-2100-GE is the MESH controller. This pro-
cedure assumes that the SSID and the Wi-Fi Key have
been configured to match on all MESH-2100-GE devices.
If the SSID and Wi-Fi keys for all the MESH devices do
not match, follow the instructions in Configuring SSID
and Wi-Fi Key.
a. Connect the MESH-2100-GE acting as controller to
any unused Ethernet port on your home gateway us-
ing CAT5E or CAT6 UTP cable; this will become the
MESH controller automatically
b. Power on the rest of the available MESH-2100-GE
devices
c. Place each MESH-2100-GE in a strategic location
where the signal from the main gateway is still strong
enough –For maximum performance the MESH LED
should remain SOLID GREEN. If the LED remains
AMBER this is an indication that MESH link is still AC-
CEPTABLE, but signal level is either stronger than it
needs to be or not strong enough to reach maximum
performance. An ACCEPTABLE MESH link is still ca-
pable of delivering user bandwidth in the order of
200Mbps.
d. As a rule of thumb, start by placing the MESH-2100-
GE halfway between the main home gateway and the
location that needs better Wi-Fi coverage. While do-
ing so, make sure that the MESH LED remains solid
as this is an indication that the MESH connection with
the Master has been established.
When the full MESH network is operating properly, All
MESH-2100-GE devices will have its MESH LED
solid GREEN or solid AMBER. A solid RED MESH
LED indicates that the MESH link quality is too low.
While the LED is solid, even if its RED, the MESH link
is active. A solid RED MESH LED is still good for in-
ternet browsing, email, etc. but Realtime applications
like voice and video might suffer from low perfor-
mance.
For a single MESH-2100-GE (when no remote agents
are used) one device solution the indication of proper
operation will have the power LED solid white and the
MESH LED blinking.
e. To connect to the Wi-Fi MESH network, use the Wi-Fi
SSID and Password information located in the bottom
label on your MESH-2100-GE device acting as con-
troller.
If you want to change the SSID for the MESH Network log into
the controller unit and change the 5GHz Wi-Fi SSID and Pass-
word, this configuration will be propagated automatically to
2.4GHz and all remote MESH devices.
For instructions on how to change the SSID and Password re-
fer to Configuring SSID and Wi-Fi Key.
NOTE: When building your MESH network consider that the
MESH-2100-GE acting as remote agent(s) can also utilize a
wired or a wireless backhaul connection. Wired connectivity, if
available, should always be the preferred method since it max-
imizes the performance of the Network as a whole.
Universal Repeater Mode Configuration
Universal Repeater Mode does not utilize the repeater MESH
capabilities. Instead, the Wi-Fi Extender is configured in re-
peater mode for 5GHz and access point for 2.4GHz. Universal
Repeater Mode operation may be used with any Wi-Fi gate-
way.
1. Universal Repeater Mode with Wireless Backhaul
The MESH-2100-GE supports operation as a repeater us-
ing its 5GHz radio for both backhaul connectivity and ac-
cess point (repeater mode).
To configure the MESH-2100-GE in universal repeater
mode with wireless backhaul:
a. Go to 5G Wi-Fi > Config:
b. Set Device Mode as Repeater
MESH-2100-GE will reboot and return in repeater
mode.

Copyright © 2020 DASAN Zhone Solutions Document Number: 830-04383-01
Once the device finishes booting configure the Wi-Fi
Network that devices will use to connect to the Re-
peater (optional):
c. In SSID enter the name of the Wi-Fi Network (e.g.
“Repeater_SSID”)
d. From Channel select the desired 5GHz channel (de-
fault recommended: Auto)
e. From Encryption select the security encryption system
to use on the Wi-Fi Network (default recommended:
WPA2-AES)
f. In Password enter the shared passphrase used to
connect to the Wi-Fi Network (e.g. 87654321)
Next, Configure the Backhaul Wi-Fi Connection. This step
configures the backhaul Wi-Fi connection between re-
peater and main home gateway for the 5GHz radio to act
as a regular Wi-Fi Station.
There are two options for configuring the backhaul Wi-Fi
connection:
•Select an SSID for scan
•Manual SSID Creation
Select an SSID from scan
i. Click Scan AP to select the SSID to be used for
back-haul Wi-Fi. A pop-up window or tab will appear
ii. Click the desired SSID
iii. If the desired SSID does not appear click Rescan
iv. Complete the Passphrase field
v. Click Connect
Manual SSID Creation
i. In STA SSID enter the name of the Wi-Fi backhaul
network, for the current example “Main_SSID”
ii. In STA Encryption select the security encryption sys-
tem to use on the Wi-Fi backhaul network
iii. In STA Password enter the shared passphrase used
to connect to the Wi-Fi backhaul network, for the
current example “12345678”
After the 5GHz configuration is done the MESH-2100-GE
should be ready to accept devices on the 5GHz radio.
2. Universal Repeater Mode with Wired Backhaul
When an Ethernet connection is available to use as back-
haul for the MESH-2100-GE, the devices that connect to
the repeater will exhibit the best Wi-Fi performance.
a. Connect the MESH-2100-GE to the Main Home Gate-
way
Plug a CAT5E or CAT6 UTP cable between the main
Wi-Fi router or Home Gateway and one of the MESH-
2100-GE Ethernet ports
b. Connect a Device to the Repeater
c. Use the Wi-Fi SSID and Password on your device in-
formation label to connect to the repeater.
d. No more configuration is required.
If you wish to change the default SSID and Password,
you may do so by following the procedure detailed in
Configuring SSID and Wi-Fi Key.
Configuration of the 2.4GHz Wi-Fi Network
It is recommended to use the MESH-2100-GE with the
same SSID and passphrase for better user experience.
However, the 2.4GHz may be configured with a different
SSID and passphrase than the 5GHz radio.
a. Navigate to 2.4G Wi-Fi > Config:
b. In SSID enter the name of the Wi-Fi Network, the rec-
ommended setting is to match the SSID name of the
5GHz radio (e.g. DZS-MESH-XXXX)
c. From Channel select the desired 2.4GHz channel (de-
fault recommended: Auto)
d. From Encryption select the security encryption system
to use on the Wi-Fi network (default recommended:
WPA2-AES)
e. In Password enter select the shared passphrase used
to connect to the Wi-Fi network, the recommended
setting is to match the Password used for the 5GHz
radio
NOTE: In order to configure 5GHz and 2.4GHz radios
with different SSID, first configure the 5GHz radio,
then configure the 2.4GHz radio.

Copyright © 2020 DASAN Zhone Solutions Document Number: 830-04383-01
LED
Status
Description
Power
Off
No Power
Blinking White
Device is booting
Solid White
Device is connected to power supply
WPS
Solid White
WPS Pairing has been established
Blinking White
Ongoing/active WPS process
Off
WPS is not running
Mesh
Off
MESH Disabled
MESH Role Controller or MESH Role Remote Agent with wired connection
Solid Green
MESH connected
Blinking
MESH disconnected –searching
MESH Role Remote Agent with wired connection
Solid Green
MESH Link Quality Excellent
Solid Amber
MESH Link Quality Acceptable
Solid Red
MESH Link Quality Low
GE 1-2
Off
Gigabit Ethernet Port disconnected
Solid White
Gigabit Ethernet Port connected
CE Marking:
When the product is marked with the CE mark on the equipment label, a supporting Declaration of Conformity may be downloaded from
the DZS, Inc. World Wide Web site at www.dzsi.com.
FCC Statement:
This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules.
These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference in a residential installation. This equipment
generates, uses and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with the instructions, may cause
harmful interference to radio communications. However, there is no guarantee that interference will not occur in a particular installation.
If this equipment does cause harmful interference to radio or television reception, which can be determined by turning the equipment off
and on, the user is encouraged to try to correct the interference by one or more of the following measures:
•Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.
•Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver.
•Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different from that to which the receiver is connected.
•Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help.
Note: changes or modifications not expressly approved by the party responsible for compliance could void the user’s authority to oper-
ate the equipment.
This equipment complies with FCC radiation exposure limits set forth for an uncontrolled environment. This equipment should be in-
stalled and operated with minimum distance 20cm between the radiator and your body. This transmitter must not be co-located or oper-
ating in conjunction with any other antenna or transmitter.
This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the following two conditions: (1) This device may not cause
harmful interference, and (2) this device must accept any interference received, including interference that may cause undesired opera-
tion.
Unique Identifier
Trade Name: DZS
Model No.: MESH-2100-GE
Responsible Party –U.S. Contact Information
DASAN Zhone Solutions, Inc.
5700 Tennyson Parkway
Plano, Texas 75024, USA
Phone [phone]
NOTE: Slots and openings in the housing are provided for ventilation. To ensure reliable operation of the product and to protect it from
overheating, these slots and openings must not be blocked or covered.
This unit is also certified to operate effectively under the following conditions: Operating Temperature: 32° F to 104° F (0° C to 40° C).
This product may contain copyrighted software that is licensed under the GNU General Public License (“GPL”), a copy of which is avail-
able at www.gnu.org/licenses. You may obtain a copy of such software, in source code form, from DZS for a period of three years after
our last shipment of the product by following the instructions at www.dasanzhone.com/gplinfo.