Mesh support just by updating the firmware-Verify Buffalo's Wi-Fi 6 router "Wi-Fi Easy Mesh"

The entry-class Wi-Fi 6 router "WSR-1800AX4" that sells for less than 10,000 yen.It will be released in June 2020, but Wi-Fi Easy Mesh support is realized by firmware update

If you install the latest firmware that has been distributed from June 13th to this WSR-1800AX4, it will be compatible with Wi-Fi Easy Mesh. However, it's not particularly troublesome, just update the firmware as usual from the setting menu accessed with a web browser. This trial machine arrived with the latest firmware compatible with Wi-Fi Easy Mesh installed, but even if you update from the old version of the firmware, the Wi-Fi settings at that time will not disappear. By updating the firmware, Wi-Fi Easy Mesh support will be realized while maintaining the state of use.

A mesh network needs to be constructed by combining two or more compatible Wi-Fi routers and repeaters. Therefore, if you are using only one Wi-Fi router, even if you support Wi-Fi EasyMesh with a firmware update, nothing will change from before the update.

Easy to build a mesh network

The Wi-Fi EasyMesh support provided by Buffalo is not only a feature that provides functions, but also a major feature that considers convenience.

A mesh network is composed of one router, which is a master unit called a "controller", and one or more routers or repeaters, which are slave units called "agents". The "slave unit" here is different from the terminal connected to the Wi-Fi router such as a personal computer or a smartphone. Therefore, when constructing a mesh network, it is necessary to properly set which one to use as a controller (or agent), and in many cases, specify it in the setting menu.

Buffalo's Wi-Fi EasyMesh-enabled products are the same as building a mesh network with a combination of one controller and one or more agents. However, it is only necessary to specify the controller and agent using the slide switch that switches the operation mode provided on the back, and then connect both LAN connectors with a LAN cable (press the AOSS button on both sides). However, it is easier and quicker to connect Buffalo with a LAN cable). In other words, you can make settings without accessing the Wi-Fi router's setting menu from a web browser. The specific setting procedure is as follows.

First, when setting to the controller, set the "MANUAL / AUTO" switch on the back to "AUTO", when setting to the agent, set the "ROUTER / AP / WB" switch to "WB", and then set the "MANUAL / AUTO" switch to "MANUAL". Switch to. Since the switch position on the controller side is the same as when shipped from the factory, there is no need to switch unless it has been changed after purchase. In most cases, you can assume that switching work will occur only on the agent side.

Next, turn on the power of the agent and the controller, start it, and finish the connection settings of the ISP on the controller side in the same way as a normal Wi-Fi router.

Next, after confirming that the "POWER" LED on the front of the controller is lit in green and the "WIRELESS" LED is lit in orange, connect the agent and the controller's LAN port with a LAN cable. Then, the controller settings are transferred to the agent, and the access point name settings etc. are automatically completed. According to Buffalo, this task takes about 20 seconds.

If the "WIRELESS" LED on the front of the router on the agent side lights up in green, it signals that all work has been completed. After that, install the controller and agent in the desired location, and the setting and installation work is completed.

I actually tried this series of setting work, but to be clear, there is nothing that I find difficult. In the setting with the LAN cable connected, the agent setting was completed within 10 seconds after the LAN cable was connected. It may take a little longer depending on the settings on the controller side, but basically the settings will be completed in a blink of an eye.

When purchasing a new Wi-Fi EasyMesh compatible router and building a mesh network from now on, it is necessary to set the connection with the ISP and security settings on the agent side, but the work is to introduce the Wi-Fi router. It always happens at times. At least, it can be said that even a person who is not so familiar with building a mesh network with a Buffalo product that supports Wi-Fi Easy Mesh can set it up without any confusion.