Unit 6, 5 Stone Street

Kaiapoi, Canterbury
New Zealand
+64 3 741 1339
www.gowifi.co.nz

Ubiquiti Access Point WDS

Setup Guide

By Daniel Allin, Technician

(DipCN, MTCNA)

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Scenario:
In this scenario we will configure 3 Ubiquiti Access Points in a Wireless Distribution
System to allow each Access Point to act as a Backhaul link as well as an Access
Point. This scenario also allows users to roam throughout the WDS Network
seamlessly.
Important Notes:
All of the Ubiquiti Access Points (as of writing) have a limitation of WEP / Open
encryption when using multiple Access Points in WDS mode. This limitation only
applies if there is more than one Access Point WDS Access Point configured on the
network. This is not a limitation if you are creating a transparent WDS Network with
one Access Point WDS and multiple Station WDS Access Points.

When configuring a WDS Network like the one in this scenario the following rules
apply:
1. The NSM2 must have the Wireless MAC Address of ONLY the directly
connected peer (PicoM2).
2. The PicoM2 must have the Wireless MAC Address of the Directly Connected
Peers (Bullet M2 and NSM2).
3. The Bullet M2 must have the Wireless MAC Address of ONLY the directly
connected peer (PicoM2).
4. If both the PicoM2 and the NSM2 are both to be directly connected to the
Main Access Point (Bullet M2) they would only have the Wireless MAC Address
of the Bullet M2 and not each other. The Bullet would however have both it
directly connected peers MAC Addresses (PicoM2 and NSM2)

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Step 1:
Start by configuring the first Access Point which in my case is a Bullet M2. This AP will
be directly connected to your network / modem. On the Wireless / Link Setup Tab
configure the following and then click Change:

Change to Access Point WDS

and enable Auto
Create a Wireless Network Name
for your WDS Network
Set the Frequency Width to
20MHz
Select an appropriate Channel
Select your Security Type
(OPEN / WEP ONLY)

Step 2:
Configure the IP Settings on the Network Tab and then click Change:

Change the IP Address of this AP

Enter the Gateway and Primary
DNS IP Addresses. (Generally
youre Modems IP Address).
Enable Spanning Tree

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Step 3:
If you are using an AirMax AirOS Access Point you will need to disable AirMax to
allow clients to connect to the Access Point, click Change when finished:

Disable AirMax

Step 4:
Finally, on the Main Tab Locate the Wireless MAC Address of this Access Point. Copy
and Paste this into notepad or a word document as you will need this for configuring
the remaining Access Points.

AP Wireless MAC Address

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Important Note:
Configure the next WDS Access Point and ensure it is NOT CONNECTED TO YOUR
NETWORK VIA ETHERNET (connect directly to your computer to configure).
Connecting the AP to your Network will cause a bridging loop in your network and
require you to reboot all of your devices on the network.

Step 5:
Click on the Wireless / Link Setup Tab and configure this Access Point EXACTLY as you
configured the first Access Point with the following Exceptions:

Enter the Wireless MAC Address

of the directly connected Access
Points

Step 6:
Enter the Network Settings for this Access Point (the only difference from the first AP
should be the IP Address):

Notice the IP Address is different

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Step 7:
Disable AirMax then Apply all changes. Once the Access Point has rebooted you
should see it now has all signal LEDs on the device showing that it is connected to
the Main Access Point. You should test internet connectivity now before proceeding
to eliminate further issues down the track.

Step 8:
Configure the Last remaining WDS Access Point the same as previously with the
following MAC Address Exceptions:

Enter the Wireless MAC Address

of the directly connected Access
Point

Step 9:
Enter the Network Settings:

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Step 10:
Finally disable AirMax and Apply all changes. Once the Access Point has rebooted
you should see the signal LEDs showing the device is connected.

Testing:
1. Test basic connectivity to the internet.
2. Setup a continuous ping to all devices (each Access Point and the Internet
Gateway Modem). Walk around your network to ensure you have seamless
roaming between Access Points and that you have a stable reliable network.
3. Ideally you should receive a 1-4ms response time from all devices without
timeouts or high response times.

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