In this blog we will show you how to configure a transparent Ubiquiti Point to Multi Point bridge in the current version (8.4.2) of AirOS 8 using a Rocket 5AC Prism GEN2 as the AP Radio, a Nanobeam 5AC-Gen2 and Powerbeam 5AC-Gen2 as station/client radios.
This same configuration can be used for any of the AirMAX AC products (NanoBeam AC, PowerBeam AC, PowerBeam AC Iso, LiteBeam AC, IsoStation AC, PrismStation AC, Rocket Prism AC and Rocket AC series)
It is also possible to use the older Airmax OS6 M5 Radios as client/station radios only if you have some older legacy gear to re-use.
Note:
This article assumes you know how to login to a Ubiquiti radio. If this is not the case please refer to "Logging in to a Ubiquiti Wireless Access Point or Router".
Step 1:
Plug in the Rocket 5AC Gen2 Prism (Access Point) to your laptop or network and make the following changes under the Wireless tab.
Basic Wireless Settings
Wireless Mode: Access Point PTMP
SSID: my_wds_bridge
Channel Width: 40 MHz
Center Frequency, MHz: 5825
Output Power: 14dBm
Wireless Security
Security: WPA2-AES
WPA Authentication: PSK
WPA Preshared Key: mys3curek3y123
Advanced
Automatic Power Control: ON
Target Signal: -55 dBm
Note:
The SSID & WPA Preshared Key settings are an example and should be customised to secure your network. Channel Width and Center Frequency, MHz can also be adjusted to suit your application and environment - be aware though that these changes must be matched on the client radios (Stations).
Step 2:
On the Network tab make the following changes.
Network Role
Network Mode: Bridge
Configuration Mode
Configuration Mode: Simple
Management Network Settings
IP Address: 192.168.1.200
Netmask: 255.255.255.0
Gateway IP: 192.168.1.1
Primary DNS IP: 192.168.1.1
Step 3:
On the System tab change the following.
Device
Device Name: Rocket 5AC Prism GEN2
Date Settings
Time Zone: (GMT+12:00) Auckland, Wellington, Fiji, Kamchatka
System Accounts
Administrator Username: admin
Click the Change Password button to update the username and password.
Current Password: ubnt
New Password: Mys3cr3t!
Select Save Changes at the bottom of the page to apply all configurations made in Steps 1-3.
IMPORTANT
Before proceeding confirm that your settings have saved by connecting to 192.168.1.200 in your web browser, then unplug the Rocket Prism Radio and re-locate it to the other side of you work room and connect the Power (PoE) only i.e. no LAN connection.
Step 4:
Connect the first client radio NBE-5AC-GEN2(Station) to your laptop or network and navigate to the Wireless tab.
Basic Wireless Settings
Wireless Mode: Station PTMP
Channel Width: Auto 20/40/80 MHz
Click the Select button next to the SSID field.
Click the radio button next to your SSID (my_wds_bridge) and the press Select.
Wireless Security
Enter WPA Preshared Key: mys3curek3y123
Step 5:
On the Network tab make the following changes.
Network Role
Network Mode: Bridge
Configuration Mode
Configuration Mode: Simple
Management Network Settings
IP Address: 192.168.1.201
Netmask: 255.255.255.0
Gateway IP: 192.168.1.1
Primary DNS IP: 192.168.1.1
Step 6:
On the System tab change the following.
Device
Device Name: NanoBeam 5AC-GEN2 ST1
Date Settings
Time Zone: (GMT+12:00) Auckland, Wellington, Fiji, Kamchatka
System Accounts
Administrator Username: admin
Click the Change Password button to update the username and password.
Current Password: ubnt
New Password: Mys3cr3t!
Select Save Changes at the bottom of the page to apply all configurations made in Steps 4-6.
Step 7:
Verify the point to multi-point bridge has been configured successfully by logging into the AP Radio and checking the connection status on the Dashboard, you can see the station radios connected from the AP Radio:
Step 8: Configuring the next client Radio
Repeat from Step 4, remembering to give the device a unique managment IP address, ie 192.168.1.202 for the Power beam 5AC-Gen2 .
You will have created a Point to Multipoint Bridge with 1x AP and 2x Client Radios (Stations).
The dashboard screenshot above shows both station radios connected.
Note: If you cannot login to the Rocket Prism GEN2 AP (Access Point that currently has PoE only i.e. No LAN connection you will need to troubleshoot why you do not have connectivity.
For more information on aligning and bandwidth testing your Ubiquiti Point to Point bridge please view this article Ubiquiti Antenna Alignment and Link Performance.
Air OS 8 devices such as this Rocket 5AC Prism Gen 2 have an application called AirView built in.
airView allows you to identify noise signatures and plan your networks to minimize noise interference. airView performs the following functions:
• Constantly monitors environmental noise
• Collects energy data points in real-time spectral views
• Helps optimize channel selection, network design, and wireless performance
airView runs in the background without disabling the wireless link, so there is no disruption to the network. In airView, there are three spectral views, each of which represents different data: waveform, waterfall, and ambient noise level.
airView provides powerful spectrum analyzer functionality, eliminating the need to rent or purchase additional equipment for conducting site surveys.
