Multiple APs using Coova and DHCP / freeradius

Thu, 07/15/2010 - 11:07 — Mikeleroi

Hi all.

I am deploying a wireless network at a public building and have a question about Coova and DHCP.

A few AP will be needed to cover the whole area, and the actual idea is to deploy some AP (maybe 3-4) and wire them into a switch, and this switch to a computer running freeradius + openldap, that will authenticate users and also provide them internet access. (I have taken the project from the previous guy, so there are some things that are "already planed" but I could change if necessary... do you see this option as correct, switching wires?)

Here comes my question: I have to ensure correct roaming from AP inside the building, but I have seen that each AP has its own DHCP, sooooo.... I am lost :( I think it won´t roam, but I don´t know how it could be designed. I suppose the behavior will be the following one: a client connects, Coova resolves DHCP and assigns IP address, petitions from client go through radius server and access is granted. If the client walks away, there will be a point where: the client is conected to AP1 but signal from AP2 is stronger (both AP with the same SSID). I don´t think it will roam automatically, at least as long as signal from AP1 is recieved. Also, I have another question, I have read that the correct way to deal with roaming is same SSID, same channel... this won´t create interferences between devices?

I would appreciate any help :)

CoovaAP Firmware

Sat, 07/17/2010 - 12:14 — Beone

Hi, First of all, in the

Hi,

First of all, in the setup you suggest, you better run chilli on a central gateway computer (which has 2 nics and also runs freeradius in your setup) and configure the ap's as just plain access points (so chilli and dhcp disabled on the ap's) Chilli on the central computer will take care of the dhcp part for your clients.

As for the multi AP setup, use the same ssid but different channels. Limit the channels to the three non-overlapping channels (1-6-11)
Wire all your ap's to a switch and wire the switch to your gateway computer. Roaming will work flawlessly.

Internet line----> Central computer----->switch----->AP's

Good luck,
Kind regards
B

Thu, 07/22/2010 - 09:19 — Mikeleroi

Thanks Beone! I have tried

Thanks Beone!

I have tried this configuration, but I have encountered one problem: there is a router that filters all the traffic (the one running Coova and acting as hotspot), but if I allow LAN connections, all the traffic goes through the router (without any authentification). And If I disable LAN connections, it is not possible to have access to external data :(

Which configuration should I choose on Coova's parameters?

Thanks in advance

Sun, 07/25/2010 - 18:31 — Beone

Do you run coova on your

Do you run coova on your gateway computer? (which should be your router in the setup i suggested)
Or what router are you talking about?

Wed, 07/28/2010 - 12:06 — Mikeleroi

Sorry, now it is working :)

It was an external problem with an old router (one acting as AP) that didn´t work properly, but it is solved, and roaming works fine (both APs must be set on the same channel).

Thanks for your help

Thu, 07/29/2010 - 09:04 — Beone

AP's must not be set to the

AP's must not be set to the same channel for roaming to work, use 1-6-11 on your AP's ;-)

Fri, 07/30/2010 - 13:14 — Mikeleroi

Yes, again, my mistake. I was

Yes, again, my mistake.

I was so tired that, the time I succeed roaming with the old AP (it was configured using the same channel as the other AP), I thought that it worked due to be on the same channel.

I have tried later using different channels, and it is working perfect :)

Again, thanks Beone! :)

Mon, 07/19/2010 - 09:39 — Mikeleroi

Thank you so much :) Yeah,

Thank you so much :)

Yeah, after post I was thinking about all the solutions proposed on the forum... and all of them were using a central dhcp and keeping other APs as "dumb" access points, so finally we have changed the initial plan, and will use this configuration.

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