This page shows you how to configure Wi-Fi for your AirLink XR90 router in Access Point mode and Client mode.
On the XR90, the following Wi-Fi Interfaces are available:
WI-FI INTERFACE | MODE | ANTENNA BANK |
---|---|---|
Wi-Fi A 5GHz |
Access Point (Default) |
Always uses Antenna Bank A (i.e. “Wi-Fi A” connectors). |
Wi-Fi AP 2.4GHz | Access Point (Default) |
Uses Antenna Bank A or B. (A — “Wi-Fi A”, B — “Wi-Fi B”) |
Wi-Fi B 5GHz |
Client (Default) |
Always uses Antenna Bank B (i.e. “Wi-Fi B” connectors). |
Wi-Fi Client 2.4GHz | Client (Default) | Uses Antenna Bank A or B. (A — “Wi-Fi A”, B — “Wi-Fi B”) |
Vehicle applications often require that the router provide Wi-Fi interfaces in both Access Point mode and Client mode.
For example:
The mode of operation for each radio can be configured in the table below. Note that these are general radio settings that are shared by the Access Point and Client interfaces.
For each radio listed in the WI-FI RADIO CONFIGURATION table:
In the Physical field, select the network standard to use.
In the Channel Bandwidth field, select the bandwidth to use (up to 80 MHz). Each 20 MHz of bandwidth corresponds to 1 channel (i.e., 1 channel = 20 MHz, 4 channels = 80 MHz).
Select the MIMO (Multiple Input/Multiple Output) configuration for your installation to optimize throughput and signal quality. Each Wi-Fi antenna bank can have up to 4 antennas connected. Select a non-default setting for an access point if you discovered problems with legacy equipment, have fewer than the maximum number of antennas connected, or to improve the XR90’s thermal performance.
Enabling DFS allows for more 5GHz channels, but may result in delayed connectivity at boot and in the presence of radar.
To configure an interface as an Access Point, click at the end of an Access Point interface row in the WI-FI INTERFACES table (as shown above).
The Edit Wi-Fi Interface menu appears — configure the fields in any order.
Select the LAN SEGMENT that you’re going to use for this access point.
Tip: Click X to display the list of available LAN segments. LAN segments are configured under Bridges (Networking > Zones Settings > Bridges).
Best Practice recommendation: If the 2.4GHz and 5GHz AP(s) are configured on different LAN segments, use different SSIDs and security passphrases to make sure DHCP renews IP adresses when switching between the APs.
Enter the access point’s SSID (a case-sensitive network name).
Select the SECURITY MODE — Depending on the mode selected, specific security credential types are required:
For all security modes except OPEN, enter a SECURITY PASSPHRASE of at least 8 characters.
For WPA2 and WPA2-Enterprise security modes only, select the 802.11W option.
The 802.11w standard uses Protected Management Frames (PMF) to ensure clients are legitimate. Options are:
Note: The 802.11w options do not appear for WPA3 or WPA2/WPA3 Transition Mode. For WPA2/WPA3 Transition Mode, ‘Optional’ is automatically used. For WPA3, “Required’ is automatically used.
For WPA2-Enterprise security mode only:
Enable AUTO CHANNEL to have the router choose the channel on which to operate.
To use a specific channel, disable AUTO CHANNEL and then select it from the CHANNEL list that appears.
Enable AUTO BEACON INTERVAL to have the router send periodic messages (beacons) to advertise its availability. To choose a specific interval, disable AUTO BEACON INTERVAL and then manually enter the required BEACON INTERVAL in milliseconds (100 ms is the default).
Set the DTIM PERIOD to the number of beacons (plus 1) that a client device can sleep through before waking to check for messages.
For example, if the DTIM Period is set to 3, the client sleeps through two beacons and wakes for the third beacon. The higher DTIM PERIOD value, the longer the client device can sleep, and the more battery power the client device can potentially save. However, high DTIM periods can also reduce throughput to the client. The default period is 2 (wake for every second beacon).
Enable BROADCAST SSID to have the router make the SSID visible to client devices. If BROADCAST SSID is disabled, the SSID is not shown to other devices, and the SSID and passphrase must be entered on the client for a client to connect.
When CLIENT ISOLATION is disabled (the default setting), clients can “see” each other, and potentially sniff traffic from each other.
Set the MAX NUMBER OF CLIENTS — Enter the maximum number of clients that can connect simultaneously to this access point interface. As a guideline, set a limit that is slightly higher than the number of clients you expect to connect.
The maximum value you can enter depends on the interface: * Wi-Fi A 5GHz in AP mode supports up to 128 clients (includes clients connected to up to two additional 5GHz SSIDs) * Wi-Fi AP 2.4GHz supports up to 64 clients (includes clients connected to up to two additional 2.4GHz SSIDs) * Wi-Fi B 5GHz in AP mode supports 64 clients (includes clients connected to up to two additional 5GHz SSIDs)
For example (using the Wi-Fi A 5GHz radio in the figure below, which is capable of supporting up to 128 clients):
Configured Maximum Total Allowed Wi-Fi A 5GHz connected Wi-Fi A 5GHz SSID 1 connected Wi-Fi A 5GHz SSID 2 connected Available Wi-Fi A 5GHz = 128
Wi-Fi A 5GHz SSID 1 = 128
Wi-Fi A 5GHz SSID 2 = 128128 50 46 0 32 across all three SSIDs Wi-Fi A 5GHz = 30
Wi-Fi A 5GHz SSID 1 = 20
Wi-Fi A 5GHz SSID 2 = 1060 25 20 5 10 across Wi-Fi A 5GHz and Wi-Fi A 5GHz SSID 2
(Wi-Fi 5GHz A SSID 1 is at max.)
A USE ADDITIONAL SSIDS switch is below the Wi-Fi configuration table.
When enabled, an Additional SSIDS table opens from which you can select, enable, and edit SSIDs (Virtual Access Points — “VAP”s). This allows you to use multiple SSIDs broadcasting on separate LAN segments and configured for different security protocols, if required.
Up to two additional SSIDs can be enabled for each of the access point interfaces (i.e., two for Wi-Fi A 5GHz, two for Wi-Fi AP 2.4GHz, and two for Wi-Fi B 5GHz).
To configure an additional SSID, click at the end of the row in the ADDITIONAL SSIDS table (as shown above).
The Edit Wi-Fi VAP menu appears — configure the fields in any order.
This menu is identical to the Edit Wi-Fi Interface menu except there are no CHANNEL or BEACON INTERVAL settings. Those settings are inherited from the corresponding Wi-Fi Interface.
A DISABLE APS ON CLIENT ASSOCIATION switch is below the Wi-Fi configuration and Additional SSIDs tables.
This switch is disabled by default.
If this switch is enabled, the router will automatically disable some or all of its Access Points and Additional SSIDs when its Wi-Fi Client connects to a Wi-Fi access point (for example, when arriving at a service vehicle depot). Then, when the router disconnects from the access point, its own Access Points and Additional SSIDs are automatically re-enabled.
To configure this feature:
On Status/Monitoring > Dashboard, the LAN dashboard shows you the Wi-Fi LAN interfaces and the LAN segments they use. A blue Access Point icon ( ) indicates the interface is enabled and operating.
Tip: Click a Wi-Fi LAN interface icon to go to the WI-FI INTERFACES configuration table and review your configuration. Hover your cursor over the DATA USAGE pie chart segments to see usage for each connection type.
Additionally, you can go to Status/Monitoring > System > Wi-Fi to view detailed Wi-Fi Access Point status, including the active channel and connected stations (clients).
You can create a Client Mode configuration by using a scanned SSID from the SSID Database, or by creating an SSID. The router will use the SSID for its WAN connection.
When connecting the XR router to an internal network via Wi-Fi or Ethernet WAN, ensure that the network providing a WAN link does not use the XR router’s default internal subnet (192.168.1.0/24). The address conflict will prevent the WAN connection from being established.
For more information, see this Sierra Wireless Customer Community article.
Tip: Rest the pointer on an SSID to view the channel, BSSID and RSSI for each band.
To use a scanned SSID:
After you configure the SSID with a passphrase, the Wi-Fi Client interface starts using it (if another SSID with a higher priority is not configured).
To create an SSID manually:
You can complete the Client mode configuration in the WI-FI INTERFACES table.
To configure an interface as a Client, click
at the end of the row of a Client interface.
The Edit Wi-Fi Interface menu appears — configure the fields in any order.
ENABLE the interface, and leave the MODE as Client.
Set the SSID SELECTION switch:
When you have multiple SSIDs configured, Sierra Wireless recommends leaving SSID SELECTION at the default Auto (Highest Priority) setting. The router will automatically search and connect to an SSID depending on priority. If priorities are identical, the router will use the closest SSID with the fastest estimated link speed. To configure the Wi-Fi client to use only a single, specific SSID, set SSID Selection to “Manual” and then choose the CONFIGURED SSID you wish to connect to.
On Status/Monitoring > Dashboard, the WAN dashboard shows you the Wi-Fi WAN interfaces. A grey Wi-Fi icon ( ) indicates a disconnected interface. A blue Wi-Fi icon ( ) indicates a connected interface.
Tip: Click a Wi-Fi icon to go to the WI-FI INTERFACES configuration table and review your configuration.
Additionally, you can go to Status/Monitoring > System > Wi-Fi to view detailed Wi-Fi Client status, including bitrate and the active channel.