Fri Sep 06, 2013 12:06 pm
I've created scripts for a mesh network based on Groove A-52HPn wireless routers, using WDS and dynamic mesh.
This design provides multiple access points for clients, and dynamic linking to new client-portals. I even created nodes that are only in the mesh and do not act as client portal, for parts of the mesh that need an extra "repeater" in the middle...with dynamic mesh portals can be easily added where required.
All sounds wonderful, yes?...
NO - the MikroTik hardware/RouterOS (tried v5.25<>v6.2) is letting me down - we are seeing random kernel failures even on a very underutilised network (ie: there is seriously no bandwidth stress on our application) - we set up the software watchdog on the units, which helped a little, but still ended up with a broken network on occasion.
We tried changing the WDS to static-mesh, this has helped a little, but reboots are still occurring from kernel failures - we are still investigating.
I have been informed (from a MikroTik certified supplier/trainer engineer) that my configurations are OK.
So, what am I saying, at present I am not very confident in MikoTik ability to support a wireless mesh setup that works reliably.
(previously to this all of my MikroTik Groove wireless setups have worked without issue including a two AP mesh set up using dynamic-mesh and WDS - it seems as soon as I introduce a third AP to the mesh, the kernel failures start, and I can se this on the site set up as well as a set up I am testing in the office)