Scenario:

In this article we will explain the basic configuration required to configure a Wireless Point to Point WDS Bridge with a pair of Ubiquiti NanoStation M5 AP/CPE. You should be able to follow this guide with any of the Ubiquiti AirMAX airOS Devices (Loco M, NanoStation M, NanoBridge M, AirGrid M, PowerBridge M, PicoStation M, Bullet M and the Rocket M Series).


Important:

This article assumes you know how to login to a NanoStation. If this is not the case please refer to "Setup a Static IP Address on your computer".


Step 1:

Plug in the first NSM5 (Access Point) into your laptop or network and make the following changes on the Wireless tab.

Wireless Mode: Access Point

WDS (Transparent Bridge Mode): Enable

SSID: my_wds_bridge

Channel Width: 30 MHz

Frequency, MHz: 5765

Output Power: 20dBm

Security: WPA2-AES

WPA Authentication: PSK

WPA Preshared Key: mys3curek3y123

Select Change but do not Apply settings yet.

Note:

If you need to increase the Output Power above 20dBm you must first enable Installer EIRP Control under the Advanced tab (Change and Apply Settings).

Under the Wireless tab you should now be able to disable Auto Adjust to EIRP Limit which will allow you to increase the Output Power - (Ensure you do not transmit above the legal EIRP for your Frequency).

 

Step 2:

On the Network tab make the following changes.

Network Mode: Bridge

IP Address: 192.168.1.200

Netmask: 255.255.255.0

Gateway IP: 192.168.1.1

Primary DNS IP: 192.168.1.1

Select Change but do not Apply settings yet.

Step 3:

On the System tab change the following.

Device Name: NSM5-AP (Optional)

Time Zone: (GMT+12:00) Auckland, Wellington, Fiji, Kamchatka (Optional)

Administrator Username: admin (Optional)

Current Password: ubnt (Optional)

New Password: mys3cr3t (Optional)

Select Change and Apply settings.

IMPORTANT:

Before proceeding, unplug the NanosStation 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 second NSM5 (Station) to your laptop or network and navigate to the Wireless tab.

Wireless Mode: Station

WDS (Transparent Bridge Mode): Enable

Channel Width: 30 MHz

Select Change and Apply settings.

Step 5:

Click the Select button next to the SSID field.

Click the radio button next to your SSID (my_wds_bridge) and the press Select.

Enter WPA Preshared Key: mys3curek3y123

Select Change but do not Apply settings yet.

Step 6:

On the Network tab make the following changes.

IP Address: 192.168.1.201

Netmask: 255.255.255.0

Gateway IP: 192.168.1.1

Primary DNS IP: 192.168.1.1

Select Change but do not Apply settings yet.


Step 7:

On the System tab change the following.

Device Name: NSM5-ST (Optional)

Time Zone: (GMT+12:00) Auckland, Wellington, Fiji, Kamchatka (Optional)

Administrator Username: admin (Optional)

Current Password: ubnt (Optional)

New Password: mys3cr3t (Optional)

Select Change and Apply settings.

Step 8:

Verify the bridge has been configured successfully by logging into both Devices and checking the connection status on the Main tab.

Note: If you cannot login to the NSM5-AP (Access Point that currently has PoE only i.e. No LAN connection you will need to troubleshoot why you do not have connectivity.


Access Point (NSM5-AP):


Station (NSM5-ST):