Q1.Which models of EAP supports cluster mode?
A: All EAPs support EAP Controller with the corresponding firmware. Only EAP120 with firmware EAP120_V1.0_141107 supports cluster mode. Both EAP120 V1.0 and V1.20 can upgrade to this firmware.
Q2.Since EAP120 can work in different management mode (with corresponding firmware). When to choose cluster mode, and when to choose EAP Controller for EAP120?
A: For EAP120, we can switch the management mode by upgrade/downgrade the corresponding firmware. But there are some limitations of the cluster mode. For example, one cluster can’t handle more than 24 devices.
That is to say, if you got more than 24 pieces of EAP120 the EAP Controller would be the better choice. Otherwise the cluster mode would be more convenient since it doesn’t require you to install EAP Controller software.
Q3.Can I install the EAP controller on my laptop and manage the EAP network wirelessly?
A：It is not recommended to install the EAP Controller on laptop and manage your EAP network wirelessly. As we know, all settings on EAP controller will be pushed to EAP device after adopt EAP. Once the SSID or security mode changed, the wireless connection will drop and then you need to connect to it again. EAP controller should be installed and run on the PC which connected with EAP network via cable. And then you can access the web interface on your laptop.
Q4.Should I keep the controller running after I have finished the settings?
A: EAP can run by themselves without the controller. You don't have to keep the controller running after the configuration unless you have enabled portal function. In addition it is recommended to keep the controller running for monitor purpose and scheduled operation.
Q5.How many devices can the EAP controller manage?
A: You can manage hundreds of EAPs at the same time via EAP Controller. And these EAPs could be of different models if the firmware supports working with EAP Controller. The actual amount is limited by the performance of the computer.
Q6.Can EAP controller manage EAPs which are in different subnets at the same time?
A: No, all EAPs and EAP Controller need to be in the same subnet. We are planning to support cross subnet management in the next version of EAP Controller.
Q7.Can an EAP device be managed by two different EAP controllers?
A: No. An EAP device can only be managed by one EAP controller. As a matter of fact only one EAP controller is allowed to run in the local network. At the launch of the EAP controller software if it detects a running EAP controller in the same network it will redirect you to the running EAP controller's management interface.
Q8.How many SSIDs and VLANs are supported?
A: It is 8 SSIDs (and corresponding VLAN IDs) for EAP110/EAP120 and 16 SSIDs (and corresponding VLAN IDs) for EAP220.
Q9.If I restart the EAP controller will the EAP device also reboot?
A: No. The EAP device will keep on running. If you want to reboot the EAP device you should go to AP list and click on reboot icon in the action column.
Q10.Can I manage my EAP network from Internet?
A: Although EAP controller has to be run in the same subnet of your EAP device you can still manage them remotely through Internet. You just need to open ports for the EAP Controller Host if it is behind an NAT device. For TP-Link NAT device, you can refer to FAQs to open port 8043 for EAP Controller Host. Then you can use https://wan_ip:8043 to access the EAP controller management interface.
Q11.Why cannot I login to the EAP's management interface?
A: Usually there are two cases.
Case 1: 403 Forbidden
After it being adopted by the EAP controller you can only change the configuration and check the status of the EAP through the EAP controller. If you try to access the EAP's management interface you will receive an error page indicates 403 Forbidden.
Case 2: Username or password incorrect
The User Account of EAP Device will be changed to the one which are configured under Device Account after being adopted by EAP controller. Even after an EAP is no longer managed by the EAP Controller, all settings are kept. You should use device account to login to the EAP’s management page before you reset it to factory default.
Q12. Why it won’t redirect me to the portal page when I try to search anything in Google Chrome?
A: Chrome use https to search by default but https cannot be redirected due to the nature of https. Try to visit a plain http page and it will be able to redirect you to the portal page.
Q13. What are the supported operating system for EAP Controller software?
A: As of now it supports Microsoft Windows XP/Vista/7/8/8.1. Mac OSX and Linux are not supported at present.
Q14. Which ports does EAP Controller use?
A: 8043 for https, 8088 for http and 27017 for mongo DB server. Make sure these ports are not occupied by other applications when you run EAP controller.
Q15. How to hardware reset EAP device to factory defaults?
A: With the device powered on, press and hold the RESET button for about 8 seconds until the LED flashes red/green/yellow alternatively twice, then release the button. The device will restore to factory default settings.
Q16. What is the Device Account used for?
A: In EAP Controller, there is one parameter called Device Account. When you running the controller for the first time, the Device Account will be initialized to the same as the administrator account automatically.
Once the EAP being adopted, Device Account will be pushed to EAP device to replace the username and password of the device.