Mesh Planning

Learn how to plan for mesh links with Hamina Network Planner.

By default, the Connect via Ethernet setting in Hamina is set to Nearest Device, which will cause the access point to be cabled to the nearest network switch. By changing Connected via Ethernet setting to Not connected (mesh), Hamina will enable mesh mode for the selected AP, at which point the mesh link can be visualized.

Mesh terminology in Hamina Network Planner:

• Upstream Mesh AP - The root node/mesh gateway.

• Downstream Mesh AP - The non-root node of the mesh.

Enabling Mesh Mode

To enable single-hop mesh mode in Hamina:

1. Using the Edit tool, select the access point that you would like to enable mesh mode on.

2. In the Edit Access Point pane on the left, click Show more at the bottom.

3. In the Connected via Ethernet dropdown, select Not connected (mesh).

   
4. The access point will now establish a mesh backhaul to the nearest access point, defaulting to the 5 GHz radio. You can choose a specific Upstream Mesh AP and Mesh Radio as desired.

   

The Upstream Mesh AP's mesh radio receives a channel assignment from the automatic channel planner. The Downstream Mesh AP mesh radio will use the same channel.

Configuring the Mesh Link

To configure additional options, click on the Show more expander. This will reveal options to select specific Upstream Mesh APs, and which specific radio should be used for mesh backhaul.

Viewing the Mesh Link

When single-hop mesh mode is enabled, a dashed line appears showing the mesh link and Link Quality Arrows. The Downstream Mesh AP (non-root node) uses a different icon to differentiate it from Upstream Mesh APs (root nodes).

Connection Quality Arrows

Depending on the signal strength of the link, the Connection Quality Arrows will change colors based on the Primary Signal Strength heatmap settings. In other words, they use the same thresholds and colors as the Signal Strength heatmap.

Example of a link with poor quality. The signal strength is so low that it is below the red threshold, which is -82 dBm by default.

Mesh Connection Quality Details

To view the details about the quality of the mesh link, click on one of the arrows.

The arrow pointing towards the AP shows how well it is receiving across the link. More specifically, it is showing the receive signal strength and data rate from the transmitting AP on the opposite end of the mesh link.

The arrow pointing towards the Downstream Mesh AP is selected, so it is showing the Downstream Mesh APs perspective on the link. In this example, the Downstream Mesh AP is hearing the Upstream Mesh AP at -72 dBm.