topic Forcing a client to connect to specific AP under Unleashed + Mesh in Unleashed

Forcing a client to connect to specific AP under Unleashed + Mesh

andrew_se — Wed, 14 Apr 2021 14:09:19 GMT

We've got R510 + R310 APs, all connected into one Unleashed (200.7) network, with Mesh enabled.

Few clients seem to have issues connecting to nearest AP (R310), which causes slow network access and interruptions. When they re-connect to unwanted AP (R510), we can either reboot that AP (R510) or reboot the client, and it will get back to nearest AP (R310). But it doesn't stick and we have to repeat this, which is not optimal.

I've seen some very old discussions which were not helpful, including stuff about AP groups and WLAN groups. I don't see such options in the interface, possibly because Mesh is enabled.

I imagine one of the following might help:

- Forcing certain AP to broadcast certain SSID.

- Prevent certain AP from broadcasting certain SSID.

But so far I'm not seeing any possibilities to achieve any of that.

Re: Forcing a client to connect to specific AP under Unleashed + Mesh

eizens_putnins — Fri, 16 Apr 2021 12:01:19 GMT

You actually need check a few things:

1. Check if you have possibility to configure roaming settings on client device.

2. Check that you have 802.11r and 802.11k disabled, and 802.11d enabled on the network. If something is different. correct and test again.

In the worst case you'll need to redesign a network or replace affected clients - there are some devices, which are unconfigurable and doesn't work normally in any environment which had more than 1 AP with the same SSID (such as some Psion PDA models (with completely broken roaming) and some card payment terminals).

Re: Forcing a client to connect to specific AP under Unleashed + Mesh

andrew_se — Mon, 19 Apr 2021 15:29:40 GMT

The device is TP-LINK TL-MR3020 in bridge mode. I didn't find any setting that would help. I don't think there are "roaming settings" there at all. But the actual client connected to it is stationary. There are 2 more stationary clients (same device model in bridge mode) located nearby (2-3m apart) and they don't have such a problem.

We already have 802.11r and 802.11k disabled, and 802.11d enabled.

Re: Forcing a client to connect to specific AP under Unleashed + Mesh

syamantakomer — Mon, 19 Apr 2021 19:24:51 GMT

Hi Andrew,

You can increase the BSS min rate which will force client to connect to it's nearest APs till some extent.

Another way is smart roam but that is only support on CLI.

Last option is creating a separate SSID and map it to specific AP(s).

Refer below KBA for smart roam and BSS minrate.

Smart roam: https://support.ruckuswireless.com/articles/000002277

BSS min rate: https://support.ruckuswireless.com/articles/000002692

Re: Forcing a client to connect to specific AP under Unleashed + Mesh

andrew_se — Tue, 20 Apr 2021 08:39:02 GMT

Hello.

Before trying any settings that might affect all network I'd like to evaluate other options. You mentioned the option to create a separate SSID and map it to specific APs. How can this be done? I didn't find anything like that in the interface when creating a new SSID.

Also, the BSS min rate link you gave returns an error.

Re: Forcing a client to connect to specific AP under Unleashed + Mesh

eizens_putnins — Tue, 20 Apr 2021 14:27:48 GMT

Just curious -- what is the use for this TP-link device? I have seen it used as cheap alternative to 4G wifie routers in the past (nobody do it now as operators give novadays routers as needed, instead of dongles), but otherwise it looks pretty useless as a client... Do you use it as external wifi- gateway for PCs or similar?

Anyway, you can create additional AP group, and apply wireless settings on group level (Access Points/ Group view button (5th button on the right from "Create" button, with 2 squares).

Re: Forcing a client to connect to specific AP under Unleashed + Mesh

syamantakomer — Tue, 20 Apr 2021 18:30:14 GMT

Creating an AP group you can setup the desired SSID on it.

https://docs.commscope.com/bundle/unleashed-200.9-onlinehelp/page/GUID-C0CAF738-DDD3-4FB0-9F67-71783FAAA7C9.html

Re: Forcing a client to connect to specific AP under Unleashed + Mesh

andrew_se — Tue, 25 May 2021 12:58:13 GMT

I tried using this functionality but it appears to not do anything. By this, I mean that I still have the System Default group where I can't disable any SSID.

After I create a new AP group, I can select the needed AP in AP Assign tab, and the needed SSID in WLAN Assign tab. But that WLAN remains available everywhere else.

I suppose I need to somehow remove the SSID from System Default group, but not seeing how this is possible.

EDIT:

Scratch that. I see I need to fully deplete the System Default group of APs by assigning them in other AP groups. That seems to work.

Re: Forcing a client to connect to specific AP under Unleashed + Mesh

andrew_se — Tue, 25 May 2021 13:43:25 GMT

TP-Link device acts as a wireless bridge between the WLAN and Ethernet port of the PC (or other Ethernet-only device).

Re: Forcing a client to connect to specific AP under Unleashed + Mesh

eizens_putnins — Thu, 27 May 2021 12:40:11 GMT

Makes sense to mention, that TP-Link device acting as a wireless bridge between the WLAN and Ethernet doesn't support any roaming, so you must set it so it is connected to only designated AP (create specific SSID for that use on just needed AP).

Re: Forcing a client to connect to specific AP under Unleashed + Mesh

andrew_se — Thu, 27 May 2021 16:08:49 GMT

Not sure it doesn't support roaming. It occasionally connects to different AP (even though it seemed from its configuration that we can select an AP we need by MAC), and we wanted to prevent that - which is why I created this question.

Re: Forcing a client to connect to specific AP under Unleashed + Mesh

iddqd — Sat, 23 Mar 2024 20:05:06 GMT

This is for everyone who suffered trying to plow through the intricacies of forcing a device to talk to just one AP on the Ruckus Unleashed network.
I do not know why, but nobody published a detailed guide anywhere.
By chance, I located a decent video by Ruckus on how to set up an AP group:
https://youtu.be/XNtfXZw-jK4

Here's what you have to do.

Open the Unleashed Dashboard.
Unroll the Access Points block.
Press the icon with two windows (see the picture below):

You're in a group view now!!
NOTE: This button took me months of back and forth to locate. I simply did not see it.
Press Create button.
Name the new Group.
Select the APs you want to be in it.
By default, you only have the System Default group.
NOTE: in the screenshot, I have no APs to distribute, since I've already done that to all of mine.
Press Next, and select the WLANs you want to be broadcasted by the APs in this group.
Press Next yet again, wrap up the set up, and that's it. You're done!
Now you have a new Group of APs which will only broadcast the WLANs you've specified.
Create one or more other groups, and distribute WLANs to those APs accordingly, making sure to not include the WLAN you do not want those APs to broadcast.
Alternatively, edit the System Default Group and exclude the WLANs you don't want other APs to broadcast.
I know, it's self-evident, but I feel that it must be said.
Finally, now you can add devices that you want to talk to only certain AP(s) to the WLAN that is assigned to the Group which includes only those APs.
Enjoy! 🎉🥂