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.
