What happens if I add a mesh Access Point to a network?

A new Access Point added to the Plasma Cloud console will need a connection to the Internet to receive its network configuration from the cloud. Typically, this is done by wiring the Access Point to your router using an Ethernet cable - just plug the cable directly into the router, a connected Switch or an Ethernet wall plug and it will go online.

In some circumstances the Access Point may need to be installed in a location without any available Ethernet connection. If so, the Access Point will still be able to retrieve its network configuration via wireless mesh from other nearby mesh Access Points, even if all of them have wireless mesh disabled.

This is possible when the following conditions are met:

1. You have created a network on the Plasma Cloud console that contains at least one Access Point;
2. You have added the new mesh Access Point to this network and turned it on; and
3. It is in close physical proximity to another Access Point which is already part of the network.

At this point, the new Access Point will enter Mesh Recovery Mode. This is an automatic recovery method enabling devices to initiate a connection to the network when a proper uplink connection is missing. Once the uplink connection has been established, the device will connect to the Internet and receive its configuration from the cloud. This process may take up to 15 minutes.

It is recommended to enable WiFi AI in all your networks. It will automatically disable or enable wireless mesh as needed. Generally, wireless mesh is turned off to reduce WiFi overhead and increase performance. Mesh will only be enabled on those devices that require a mesh uplink to connect to the Internet.