[lexridge]

How to Configure a WiFi Service Port for 802.11s Nodes (or WDS)
Added 2025-03-01

This was also posted in Configuring 802.11s Mesh Networks [Series] but since it was an added post, it would not show up as new and I figured those who have read that thread would not be going back to read it again. So I am also cross-posting this in the Atheros thread simply because most 802.11s mesh networks are being created on Atheros routers. I also wanted to keep any discussion regarding this away from that thread.

For those of us who have wireless backhauls, losing a node can be a pain to recover. Usually this involves either power cycling the node and hoping it comes back up with a connection or pulling and connecting it via Ethernet to figure out the issue or change some settings. Using this method is a failsafe for accessing a router that falls off of the mesh network.

While this is especially useful for 802.11s nodes, it should also work for WDS Stations.

Choose a radio to configure this on. It can either be a VAP or just an AP if you have an unused radio. The advantage of making it an AP is you can set it to very low power, which is ideal for me, but maybe not for you.

So create your AP or VAP on the radio of your choice.

Call it something like 4300sp (sp for service port) and unbridge the interface. Give it an IP such as 10.11.12.13/30 (this subnet mask allows one address for the interface and one for a dhcp assignment).

Set up a dhcp server on the node for that one interface (ie wlan0.1) at the bottom of the Networking tab. Set the Start address to 14 and Max to 1. This will assign the only remaining IP for the /30 subnet and your connecting device will receive an IP of 10.11.12.14.

Next time the node goes berserk you still have a way to access it and potentially view logs or remotely reboot if necessary. Once connected, access the router via URL http://10.11.12.13 (or whatever IP address you chose earlier).

This "backdoor" into your router will NOT provide Internet access unless you do additional configuration, but that is not the point of it anyway and YOU DO NOT WANT THIS. It is only meant to give you an access point to the WebUI whenever it falls out of the mesh.

BTW, you can do this exact same configuration on every single node in your mesh. The unbridged IP address can be exactly the same on all nodes as they don't see anything but the router it's configured on. Literally everything can be exactly the same EXCEPT for the SSIDs....and don't forget to set a password.

NOTE: This works on WDS Station's because it's the WDS that fails to connect, not the VAPs. In my testing, the VAPs are still up and available to connect.