Extending an additional network segment to Wi-Fi System nodes
Important
Starting with KeeneticOS 4.3, automatic extension of additional network segments from the Wi-Fi System controller (Main Router) to captured extenders has been implemented, and no additional setup is required in this case. In other words, if the controller is running OS 4.3 or higher, the settings for additional segments will be automatically distributed from the controller to extenders in the Wi-Fi System.
However, if the controller is running KeeneticOS from 3.1 to 4.2, and an extender is connected via a wired connection, additional configuration is required to transfer the additional segment to this extender. For extenders connected to the main router via Wi-Fi, no additional configuration is required; the created segments will automatically appear on the extenders.
For the additional segment to work on extenders (connected to the controller via a wired connection), you need to allow the tagged VLAN output of the desired segment on the network ports of the controller to which the extenders are connected. The instructions below show this configuration.
Once again, please note that the information provided in this article is only relevant for devices with KeeneticOS version up to and including 4.2.
Let's consider an example where a Wi-Fi System consists of two Keenetic devices: one operates in the main Router Mode (acting as the Wi-Fi System controller), and the other in the additional Extender Mode. The extender is connected to the main router with an Ethernet cable (patch cord). The extender needs to provide the Guest Wi-Fi network, just like the main router.
Set the device that will act as the Wi-Fi System controller in Router Mode.
In the web interface of the controller, in the Guest segment section, select the network port to which the additional Keenetic device will be connected in Extender Mode (in our example, this is port 4).
Set its flag to T (Belongs with VLAN tag) and specify any available VLAN from 4 to 4094 (in our example, VLAN ID = 10). Click the Save button.
Connect the extender to the 4th port of the main router with a patch cord. After that, it will appear in the Wi-Fi System section. Capture the extender. There, you can also view the extender's IP address and, if necessary, access its web interface. For more information, see the Setting up Mesh Wi-Fi System article.
This completes the setup.
You can now connect to the Guest Wi-Fi network running on the extender. Such clients will receive IP addresses from the main router and appear in its client list as if they were connected directly to its own Guest network segment.
Tip
If an extender connects to the main router via Wi-Fi, the VLAN is extended automatically.
If there is a network switch between the main router and extenders, it must be able to forward VLANs. If the switch is managed, you need to enable VLANs on the ports to which the main router and extenders are connected.
Note
Sometimes, there are rare cases when you need to connect extenders to the main router, and they will work as regular access points, but will not be acquired in the Mesh Wi-Fi System. In this case, you will need to perform additional configuration on the extender.
Warning
If you have added your extender to the Wi-Fi System, you do not need to perform the setup described in the note! The extender is managed by the controller, and the settings for additional segments are automatically passed on to it.
The settings shown below should only be applied to an extender that is not part of the Wi-Fi System.
Let's look at an example of setting up the Guest network on an extender that will not be included in the Wi-Fi System.
Enable the additional Extender Mode on the Keenetic device.
In the extender's web interface in the Home segment section, click + to add a new network segment. Set a name for the new segment. In our example, it is Guest. Set the name of the Guest Wi-Fi network (SSID), password, and additional settings (they usually match the settings on the main router). In our example, the name Guest matches the name of the main router's predefined Guest Wi-Fi network. Enable the Guest network (the network status should be Enabled).
For dual-band devices, you can enable the Guest Wi-Fi network in the 5 GHz band in the same way.
On the extender, select the network port to which the patch cord from the main router will be connected. In our example, this is port 0. Set its flag to T (Belongs with VLAN tag) and specify the VLAN number that is used in the Guest segment settings on the main router. In our example, VLAN ID = 10.
This completes the setup.
The extender will now run a guest Wi-Fi network that clients can connect to.