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2865ac Mesh - is it functional?

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13 May 2021 23:59 #99268 by j1mbo
2865ac Mesh - is it functional? was created by j1mbo
I can't make mesh work. Brand new out the box: 2865ac, AP903, 2x AP802. One of the 802s appears faulty, flashes all LEDs continually, firmware doesn't change that so will be returned.

Remaining devices - straight out the box, firmware flashed, the only configuration done is to enable mesh. All three are on the bench next to each other (about a foot apart).

Mesh config in router UI is unresponsive at times, but mesh creates, nodes adopt and after a few minutes config goes to online (sync ready).

However, the mesh continually breaks. Some logs from the 802, the 903 is just as unstable:

Code:
May 13 22:30:28 AP802 local1.notice syslog: [dmn] dmn_pkt_recv Announce-Info from 14:49:BC:12:8C:D0 May 13 22:30:28 AP802 local1.notice syslog: [dmn] Disconnected by User. May 13 22:30:28 AP802 local1.notice syslog: [dmn] dmn_pkt_send Declare-Offline May 13 22:30:28 AP802 local1.notice syslog: [dmn] Uplink is deleted. May 13 22:30:28 AP802 local1.notice syslog: [dmn] Delete WDS MAC 14:49:BC:12:8C:D0 on mesh0 May 13 22:30:28 AP802 local1.notice syslog: [dmn] Stop accepting Wireless clients. May 13 22:30:28 AP802 local7.info kernel: (5G) Delete WDS 14:49:BC:12:8C:D0 May 13 22:30:28 AP802 user.warn kernel: [dmn] set listen mode to LOST May 13 22:30:28 AP802 user.emerg kernel: >[dmn] set dmn_invite_list_detecting from 0 to 2 (none:0, INIT:1, LOST:2) May 13 22:30:28 AP802 user.emerg kernel: >[dmn] Start detecting (0x00000017)(00:00:00:00:00:00)(0x02). May 13 22:30:28 AP802 user.emerg kernel: >[dmn] Mesh IE Record (Backhaul) 00:1D:AA:40:08:68 May 13 22:30:28 AP802 user.emerg kernel: >[dmn] Backhaul from 00:1D:AA:40:08:68. May 13 22:30:28 AP802 user.emerg kernel: >[dmn] Mesh IE Record (Backhaul) 14:49:BC:12:8C:D0 May 13 22:30:28 AP802 user.emerg kernel: >[dmn] Backhaul from 14:49:BC:12:8C:D0. May 13 22:30:30 AP802 user.emerg kernel: >[dmn] Mesh IE Record (Backhaul) 00:1D:AA:40:08:68 May 13 22:30:30 AP802 user.emerg kernel: >[dmn] Mesh IE Record (Backhaul) 14:49:BC:12:8C:D0 May 13 22:30:31 AP802 user.info syslog: goahead SIGNAL(43) -> WPSRestart_All() + May 13 22:30:31 AP802 user.emerg kernel: >[dmn] Mesh IE Record (Backhaul) 00:1D:AA:40:08:68 May 13 22:30:31 AP802 user.emerg kernel: >[dmn] Mesh IE Record (Backhaul) 14:49:BC:12:8C:D0 May 13 22:30:32 AP802 local1.notice syslog: [dmn] Mesh Node (Wireless Uplink) - Lost May 13 22:30:32 AP802 local1.notice syslog: [dmn] Change state MeshNodeW -> MeshLostW. May 13 22:30:33 AP802 user.emerg kernel: >[dmn] Mesh IE Record (Backhaul) 00:1D:AA:40:08:68 May 13 22:30:33 AP802 user.emerg kernel: >[dmn] Mesh IE Record (Backhaul) 14:49:BC:12:8C:D0 May 13 22:30:33 AP802 user.info syslog: goahead SIGNAL(43) -> WPSRestart_All() -


'2865 is on 4.2.4_BT, 903 is 1.4.0 and 802 tested with 1.4.1 and 1.4.0.

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14 May 2021 09:44 #99270 by piste basher
Replied by piste basher on topic Re: 2865ac Mesh - is it functional?
I had mesh problems with my brand new 2927ac - indeed it was less functional than the 2926ac which preceded it, although not as serious as yours. Support sent me a release candidate firmware which solved the issue. Intriguingly, this was some time ago and the new firmware has not yet appeared officially, so maybe there's another problem I don't know about :lol:

I suggest contacting support asap

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14 May 2021 09:48 #99271 by j1mbo
Replied by j1mbo on topic Re: 2865ac Mesh - is it functional?
Thanks, I have done. I do notice some of the website references 4.3 which is "Q2 21".

However, mesh is completely broken with current firmware with AP903 or 2865ac as root. In either case, the 802 continually drops and the management interface of the 802 and 903 both show regular ping timeouts (even to a device connected by cable to the 903).

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17 May 2021 18:48 #99303 by pharcyder
Replied by pharcyder on topic Re: 2865ac Mesh - is it functional?
Posting to get update notifications to this thread.

I have a 2865ac and I'd really like to retire my 7 year old AC Apple AirPort Extremes which no longer receive security updates. The Airports have been bullet proof - they literally just work and have never ever let me down.

Adopting Draytek's mesh family seems the logical choice for me. I appreciate that no one comes to forums to say 'hey, my devices work as advertised' but Draytek's mesh get's so much bad press in this forum that its causing me to think twice.

Does anybody have a working Draytek Mesh? Are they really that bad?

In the meantime, I too saw the 4.3 reference on the product page for the 2865ac so I eagerly await DrayOS 4.3 due within the next 45 days.

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17 May 2021 23:04 #99304 by piste basher
Replied by piste basher on topic Re: 2865ac Mesh - is it functional?
My Draytek mesh works OK - with the RC firmware for the 2927 that support provided - inasmuch as any "mesh" system that doesn't use a dedicated backhaul works. (Although of course some (but not my) Draytek units do have a dedicated backhaul, go figure as they say :roll: )

But maybe mine is not a "typical" setup - I have 2927ac root, two wired AP960c nodes and one wireless AP903 node.

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20 May 2021 10:41 #99311 by pharcyder
Replied by pharcyder on topic Re: 2865ac Mesh - is it functional?
Thanks @Piste Basher. Its concerning that no one else is chiming in with positive feedback.

I'm an all Apple home and its really concerning the number of posts in this forum of all the problems. I know someone else with a 2862ac with a couple of 903's also reporting Apple devices just dropping off the network. I saw someone's comment saying that using a Vigor as the mesh root seems to be the problem. When a 903 is the mesh root, its problem solved.

I think I'm going to wait until DrayOS 4.3.x is out and see what that brings.

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