How do I set up my AP150WN1X1OD in a Wireless Distribution System (WDS)?

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A Wireless Distribution System (WDS) allows you to use the Access Point (AP) to connect to other APs using a wireless signal. A WDS can create a seamless network between multiple WDS-compatible APs. A WDS can improve network connectivity over a larger geographical area, but the network speed is reduced up to 50% each time that you add a new AP to the WDS.

Note: Only IP-based networks can be used with a WDS.

Connect the hardware

To set up the unit, you need to connect the AP150WN1X1OD using a wired Ethernet connection.

Use the provided power adapter to connect power to the POE injector.
Connect an Ethernet cable between the PoE injector and the AP150WN1X1OD. The AP150WN1X1OD should be receiving power, but if it is not, move the Ethernet cable to the other port.
Connect the Ethernet cable from the LAN port on the PoE injector to your computer system.

Wait 30 seconds for the unit to start before you make any configuration changes.

Prepare the site

The maximum range of the AP150WN1X1OD is 3 km, however, obstructions (such as buildings) may reduce the range. The AP150WN1X1OD can be used with multiple WDS-compatible APs (for example, additional AP150WN1X1OD devices) to overcome any physical barriers that may limit the Wi-Fi range.

To use multiple AP150WN1X1OD units to create a WDS, one unit needs to be assigned as the main AP and be connected to a wired network. The additional attached units need to be assigned as relay APs and be connected to the main AP.

Before you set up a WDS, you need the MAC address of all of the APs that you plan to use. The MAC address is located on a label on the back of the unit. The label has a barcode with text underneath it, showing MAC: 001AEF[xxxxxx]. Decide where you plan to locate the APs and write down the MAC address that correlates with each AP.

You also need to assign each AP a unique IP address that is on the same network as the wired network. For example, if the main network is 192.168.1.xxx and the default gateway is on 192.168.1.1, the APs need to be assigned static IP addresses from 192.168.1.[2-255]. Ideally, the IP addresses are outside of a DHCP server range to prevent IP address conflicts. This information can be obtained from the router on your network.

Although each AP that you use in your setup requires a unique MAC address, SSID, and IP address, the APs all need to have identical settings for the following:

Band (for example, 2.4 GHz (B+G+N))
Channel number (1 to 11)
DHCP set to Disabled
Subnet mask (for example, 255.255.255.0)
Default gateway

The following is an example of a setup list:

AP	Location	SSID	MAC address	IP address
Main	Data center	StarTech.com Guest	001AEF41687F	192.168.1.200
Relay 1	Upstairs	StarTech.com Upstairs	001AEF416880	192.168.1.201
Relay 2	Downstairs	StarTech.com Downstairs	001AEF416881	192.168.1.202

Note: You should assign each AP a unique SSID (Wi-Fi name) instead of using a common SSID.

Set up the main AP

The steps described below apply to firmware version 1.2f.05 and use the factory default settings.

Use an Ethernet cable to connect the AP150WN1X1OD to a computer.
Make sure that your computer is on the 192.168.1.xxx network.
Open a web browser (for example, Internet Explorer).
In the address bar, enter http://192.168.1.200.
In the username field, enter admin.
In the password field, enter admin.
Click More Settings > Wireless Settings > WDS Settings.
Under Wireless Network, enter the SSID of the main AP.
Disable DHCP.
Set the Channel Number, IP Address, Subnet Mask, and Default Gateway to the predetermined values.
Enter the MAC address of the first relay AP.
Add a comment that describes the location or SSID of the relay AP.
Set the Band to the predetermined value.
Click Apply and wait for the AP to restart.
For each of the additional relay APs in your setup, repeat steps 11 to 14.
If you want to encrypt the wireless network, click Set Security and fill out the form.

Note: If the IP address was changed to a different network, you will need to change the computer IP address to the network of the access point to make further changes.

Set up the relay APs

Use an Ethernet cable to connect the AP150WN1X1OD to a computer.
Make sure that your computer is on the 192.168.1.xxx network.
Open a web browser (for example, Internet Explorer).
In the address bar, enter http://192.168.1.200.
In the username field, enter admin.
In the password field, enter admin.
Click More Settings > Wireless Settings > WDS Settings.
Under Wireless Network, enter the SSID of the main AP.
Disable DHCP.
Set the Channel Number, IP Address, Subnet Mask, and Default Gateway to the predetermined values.
Enter the MAC address of the main AP.
Add a comment for the main AP.
Set the Band to the predetermined value.
Click Apply and wait for the unit to restart.
For each of the additional relay APs in your setup, repeat steps 1 to 14.
If you want to encrypt the wireless network, click Set Security and fill out the form.

When you are done setting up the main and relay APs, place the units where you want them and connect the wired LAN to the main AP. To confirm the connectivity of the relay AP, under WDS Settings, click Show Statistics.

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