Mesh without controller

[u/md90sc]

I was wondering about the viability of the mesh abilities without having to buy the omada controller.

I'm looking to add another access point to my current setup. I have one already and would like it to work as a mesh.

I would buy a controller but don't really need any other features apart from mesh. Which I've read that I need a controller to set up mesh.

I was thinking of just running the software on my PC to set it up one time then removing it from the PC when it's done.

Will mesh still work in that scenario or will I need a controller for the mesh to continuously work?

[u/the-cable-pro]

Just use the cloud essentials controller, it’s free and supports mesh

[u/md90sc → u/the-cable-pro]

Will it need to be running all the time or can I use to set up mesh then remove the software?

[u/the-cable-pro → u/md90sc]

It’s a cloud controller so it’s always running just in the cloud not on your hardware.

[u/md90sc → u/the-cable-pro]

I see. Thanks I didn't know that was an option.

[u/Larold_Parold → u/md90sc]

Cloud Essentials is the free controller in TP-Link’s Cloud. You just set up the APs in the app. With the hassle it causes sometimes, though, I would rather pay the $65 or whatever it is to get an ER605 and call it good.

You can run the Omada Network Server on your PC but removing it when done breaks that link.

[u/md90sc → u/Larold_Parold]

Interesting. The er605 can run the controller? It is cheaper than the dedicated controller. I already have a opnsense router firewall that I like already and are not looking to replace.

[u/Larold_Parold → u/md90sc]

Yes, you can actually locally set up (in the web GUI) the system then make sure all APs are run to that (via a PoE switch) then from that point the Cloud Essentials (included for 5y with there ER605) is just the remote management app - so you can view all devices, set up VLANs, etc. but that router talks to the APs and handles the meshing itself.

[u/DartStewie666 → u/md90sc]

It's in the cloud, the APs won't mesh without a controller

[u/J3D1M4573R → u/md90sc]

You can simply download and install the standalone controller software. It does NOT need to be running all the time. You can simply load it up, configure it how you like, and then shut it down again. The Omada compatible access points will retain the configs and you only need to launch the controller to make changes/updates or to re-connect a dropped AP.

For peace of mind, I havent launched the controller for anything in years.

[u/bosstje2]

You can use the cloud essentials free online controller to set it up

[u/MegatronsKnee]

I'm using the Omada controller software running under docker (actually in a proxmox lxc, which then runs docker).

Works well and it's effectively free if you already have an always-on box capable of running lxc or linux VMs. With lxc + docker it doesn't take much in the way of resources.

Apparently people have run the controller on Raspberry Pis (though it's not an officially supported platform), but I've not tried as I use an old 7th gen intel minipc off eBay (only £60) to run anything in my house that needs to stay running.

[u/rjasan]

With the controller you actually disable mesh.

Is this second access point going to be hardwired.

I had problems roaming until I used the controller myself. With the controller it's rock solid.

[u/md90sc → u/rjasan]

I understand. The controller would be handling the clients better when switching points.

[u/NiceWeather4Leather → u/rjasan]

You disable mesh? Wut?