How to access UI when in AP mode and no DHCP

Routers
1

Hi there,
I've just purchased a Slate AX and I'm exploring all the options.

My use is kind of basic, I need to access some specialised equipment via WiFi so I'll be connecting the router to this network and access everything via WiFi.
Ideally, I'd like to use the Slate in AP mode - that is, I will set an IP address manually on my laptop and access the devices (there is no DHCP on this network). The router will access as an access point only.

I might want to try to use it as a proper router, so make sure that the Slate gets an IP address (manually) and then create my own "service network".

I understand that when in AP mode, the router can only get an IP via DHCP - but there is no DHCP on the network I am working on. So how can I access the UI if I needed to?

Thanks!

2

Hopefully someone else has an easier answer, but even in AP mode a manual IP can be assigned through advanced configuration using luci. You may need to have it be assigned an IP via DHCP to get to make the change though. I'm not sure what other impacts this would have on the GL gui, so just throwing this out there in case no-one else has advice.

3

Thanks - I discovered the Luci section the other day and I’m impressed indeed.

If that’s an option, that would be great. The AP I was used to was an old Apple express which came with a small software which allowed me to detect the AP regardless of the network configuration, I just needed to be connected to its WiFi network. Is there something similar for the GL as well?

Thanks for your help!

4

I've done some tests and I cannot use the router in router mode - it'll have to be AP mode - or I'll just use the LAN ports when in router mode.

I think for the router to work in router mode I'd need to integrate the AX1800 in the network which is not possible: I'm only connecting to control some equipment and then I leave.

Nothing wrong with that of course. My only concern is if one day I need to access the router interface: I could set a fixed IP as suggested but that implies changing my network, accessing the router, make the changes and change the network again.

Is there antyhing else I am not considering here?
Thanks!

5

Not totally understand your application. But if you put the router in AP mode and broadcast wifi, if you don't have DHCP, the client devices that connect to the wifi will have trouble to get IP as well. In such case all client devices should have static IP. Have never met such setup.

Why doesn't router mode work for you?

6

The network I am connecting to doesn't have DHCP, all IPs are static.
Some devices might be misconfigured - that is, with no or incorrect gateway set up. So if I am on the same LAN I can do what I want but if I am on a different subnet, then I need to tell the device I'm connecting to that my gl-inet is the gateway.

Example.

The device I am connecting to is
192.168.1.136
255.255.255.128
GW 192.168.1.129 (which is not present).

I set the gl-inet WLAN to 192.168.1.150, 255.255.255.128, same non-existent gateway.
The internal LAN is set to 192.168.8.x

I could ping the unit but could not connect. I could only connect if I DMZ my laptop. I'd imagine it's because the gateway does not exist and the device is using some ports which are not correctly routed? Unfortunately I don't have the luxury to look into every network I am connecting to and "make it work", the time I have is very, very limited.

Yes, it can be fixed. No, I cannot fix it when on site unfortunately.

Every time I am in a different place with different equipment and I cannot afford to not be able to connect via WiFi. Yes, I know it sounds silly :slight_smile:

So my only option is

  1. Run the gl-inet in AP mode
  2. Run the gl-inet in router mode but basically ignore it, set my own IP and use it as an AP? (But I could go back to DHCP if I need to access it?)
    I appreciate all the above sounds very complicated and, honestly, stupid :slight_smile:
7

Yes. Very complicated for me. Now sure if I could figure out something.