Will AiMesh nodes with wireless backhaul repeat SSID/pass from non-AiMesh router?

[Qbcd]

I know this is a weird question, it's too complicated to explain why I want to know this, but basically the question is this - In an AiMesh system, if the main router fails or turns off, will the nodes still act as Wi-Fi repeaters and repeat the same SSID/pass if they get it from elsewhere? Or will they only repeat it if it comes from within that AiMesh system?

I know they will if they are set up as Repeaters, but what if they are set up as AiMesh nodes?

Thanks!

 

[drabisan]

Yes, nodes will continue broadcasting the same SSIDs and the same password when router is down.
But of course you won't get internet access if router is down.
But you'll still be able to access the devices connected to the same node.

 

[Qbcd]

Yes, nodes will continue broadcasting the same SSIDs and the same password when router is down.
But of course you won't get internet access if router is down.
But you'll still be able to access the devices connected to the same node.

Basically I have a redundant router with its own WAN that can kick in if the main router dies, and it'll broadcast the same SSID/password but it won't be part of the AiMesh. So you're saying the AiMesh nodes left without a main router will continue to rebroadcast the SSID/password even if it's coming from somewhere else?

 

[OzarkEdge]

So you're saying the AiMesh nodes left without a main router will continue to rebroadcast the SSID/password even if it's coming from somewhere else?

Each node has its own radios and firmware configuration... once a node is configured and ON, it will broadcast its own WLANs... they are not coming from somewhere else.

OE

 

[Qbcd]

Each node has its own radios and firmware configuration... once a node is configured and ON, it will broadcast its own WLANs... they are not coming from somewhere else.

OE

I don't think I explained it well, since the nodes have wireless backhaul, they are basically Wi-Fi repeaters. So will they continue to repeat the SSID/password if it's coming from somewhere other than the main AiMesh router, in the event that the main AiMesh router goes down.

So I'm not talking about the client-facing network, I'm talking about the backhaul.

If they are put in AP mode, they obviously will repeat the the SSID/password regardless of where it's coming from, as long as the credentials work. But if they are set up as AiMesh nodes, will they still do it? My guess is no.

 

[Qbcd]

Two years later, I still need to know this. The replies above didn't understand what I was asking. I know it's a weird question, but if someone can please give a definitive answer, that would be very helpful for planning my network redundancy.

 

[Tech9]

In an AiMesh system, if the main router fails or turns off, will the nodes still act as Wi-Fi repeaters and repeat the same SSID/pass if they get it from elsewhere?

No.

 

[Qbcd]

No.

Is there any way to access the nodes if the main router is down? Through another device using Tailscale for instance? And then I can reconfigure them as repeaters.

 

[Tech9]

Is there any way to access the nodes if the main router is down?

No, Nodes have no own WebUI in AiMesh configuration. To reconfigure as Repeaters you have to reset the Nodes to factory defaults and go from there. They will come up in default Wireless Router Mode.

 

[Qbcd]

No, Nodes have no own WebUI in AiMesh configuration. To reconfigure as Repeaters you have to reset the Nodes to factory defaults and go from there. They will come up in default Wireless Router Mode.

Thanks, so there is no way to remotely do this unless you use a fingerbot connected to another network to press the reset button.

Yes, nodes will continue broadcasting the same SSIDs and the same password when router is down.
But of course you won't get internet access if router is down.
But you'll still be able to access the devices connected to the same node.

By the way, when I turn off the main router, the nodes do not continue to broadcast the network and any devices connected to the node disconnect.

 

[Tech9]

so there is no way to remotely do this

I don't know any consumer hardware with the fail safe mechanism you are looking for. If the router fails it has to be replaced and the system has to be rebuilt. If a node/satellite fails it has to be replaced and re-added to the mesh system. None of this can be done remotely. You probably need hardware with expected better reliability at this remote location.

Business class networks offer so called High Availability options with automatically synchronized gateways on stand-by, switches with built-in power backup and multiple uplinks, can have additional access points on stand-by not broadcasting any SSID, etc. ... but as expected it costs money and I don't know anyone using such setup in home environment.

 

[Qbcd]

I don't know any consumer hardware with the fail safe mechanism you are looking for. If the router fails it has to be replaced and the system has to be rebuilt. If a node/satellite fails it has to be replaced and re-added to the mesh system. None of this can be done remotely. You probably need hardware with expected better reliability at this remote location.

Business class networks offer so called High Availability options with automatically synchronized gateways on stand-by, switches with built-in power backup and multiple uplinks, can have additional access points on stand-by not broadcasting any SSID, etc. ... but as expected it costs money and I don't know anyone using such setup in home environment.

This is just in the event that my main router dies while I'm traveling, then I could remote into a phone I keep at home that's a WAN for another router, then change the SSID/pass on that to match the main network and have the nodes repeat it. But it seems the only way to do that is to use finger robots and hope the bluetooth range is enough... Anyway, my situation is weird and it's definitely not an enterprise situation or anything mission critical.