Access Point Mode (AP Mode)

Overview

The zWAN Edge Controller enables Wi-Fi Access Point (AP) Mode for each supported Wi-Fi hardware device (e.g., phyX or wlanX) detected at startup, creating a Wi-Fi AP interface (e.g., WLANXX). This allows the device to extend LAN network functionality wirelessly, so clients can connect to the same LAN over Wi-Fi alongside wired connections.

On supported hardware, Wi-Fi AP Mode is enabled by default with a unique SSID and a matching password for added security.

Supported Functionality in Wi-Fi AP Mode

• Configure Wi-Fi Access Point interface
• Enable or disable Wi-Fi Access Point ([hostapd] service)
• List Wi-Fi Access Point interface configuration details

Wi-Fi AP Mode can be managed via the Director, Local Web UI, and Secure Shell (SSH).

Configuring Wi-Fi AP Mode

Wi-Fi AP Mode can be configured with or without a password. Required settings include the interface name, SSID, broadcast type, driver, country code, WPA settings, and security options.

1. Configuration with Password
   
2. Configuration without Password
   

Example Configuration

• Interface Name: WLANxx
• SSID: bpir64-access-123 (max 32 alphanumeric characters)
• Broadcast/Unicast: 0 for broadcast
• Driver Name: 802.11n
• Mode: a/g (default: g)
• Country Code: IN or US
• Channel: 9 (1-14 or auto)
• WPA: 2 (options 0, 1, 2, 3)
• Security: CCMP
• Password: bpir64-access-123 (min 8 characters)

Enabling and Disabling the Wi-Fi Access Point (hostapd service)

• Enable Wi-Fi AP Mode
  Enable the AP mode by starting the hostapd service, allowing the device to function as an AP (server).
  
  systemctl enable hostapd

• Disable Wi-Fi AP Mode
  Stop the AP service to disable the access point functionality.
  
  systemctl disable hostapd


Listing and Editing Wi-Fi AP Configuration

1. List Configuration
   Display the Wi-Fi AP settings, including interface name, SSID, security type, driver details, and channel.
2. Edit Configuration
   Modify the existing settings such as SSID, security type, and channel as needed.
   

Note: Ensure the password has a minimum of 8 characters.

Note:

• Avoid special characters like ?, ", $, [, \, ], and + in the SSID.
• Refer to the hostapd utility documentation for additional commands.

Known Hardware Limitations: MT7622 SOC (2.4 GHz, channels 1-11/14)

If AP mode is enabled on one channel, this hardware cannot operate Station mode on a different frequency. Both AP and Station mode must use the same channel. To manage this, if a different channel is required for Station mode, AP mode is temporarily stopped and restarted with the selected Station channel.