Difference between revisions of "Ubiquiti UAP AC Mesh"

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[[Category:Devices]]
 
[[Category:Ubiquiti]]
 
[[Category:Ubiquiti]]
[[File:Ubnt-uap-ac-m.png|thumb|UAP AC Mesh]]
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[[File:Ubnt-uap-ac-m.png|thumb|UAP AC Mesh -- Front]]
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[[File:UAP_Mounting_Slide.jpeg|thumb|UAP AC Mesh -- Back]]
  
The UAP AC Mesh is a PoE powered access point that is weather resistant and omnidirectional.
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The UAP AC Mesh is an omnidirectional, weather resistant, PoE powered access point. It is useful for short (less than one block,) unplanned links. If you live in an apartment building, this device will connect you with your next-door neighbor through the wall.
  
== Downgrading ==
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{{ Warning| This is a PoE device. Never connect your computer directly to the PoE injector's red port!!!}}
  
If your device shipped with the latest firmware, or if you upgraded to version <code>3.8.xx.xxxx</code> or higher, you may need to downgrade the device before you can flash it due to the <code>mtd</code> utility being missing in later versions. Simply download any <code>3.7.xx.xxxx</code> firmware image from the [https://www.ubnt.com/download/unifi/unifi-mesh Ubiquiti Downloads Page] and proceed with the recovery instructions.
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== Files ==
 +
[https://dl.ui.com/unifi/firmware/U7PG2/3.7.58.6385/BZ.qca956x.v3.7.58.6385.170508.0957.bin Ubiquiti Firmware (Downgrade to 3.7.xx)]
  
== Aparcar's meta-imagebuilder ==
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[https://downloads.massmesh.net/snapshots/images/meshradio/ubnt_unifiac-mesh/openwrt-massmesh-meshradio-ath79-generic-ubnt_unifiac-mesh-squashfs-sysupgrade.bin Mass Mesh Firmware (sysupgrade)]
First clone the repo from opensource.piratemesh.net (hyperboria or yggdrasil-network) or from https://github.com/MassMesh/meta-imagebuilder
 
Once checked out of the repo, call the massmesh script with these parameters `./build massmesh meshpoint unifiac-mesh`
 
The mesh firmware is built in /dev/shm (tmpfs) but the imagebuilder variable can be changed, please use the `build` script as you see fit.
 
  
== Compiling for LiMe ==
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== Flashing ==
  
Clone the Libremesh source code with <code>git clone https://github.com/libremesh/lime-sdk.git</code><br>
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=== From OpenWRT ===
If stuck, detailed information can be found here: (https://libremesh.org/getit.html)[https://libremesh.org/getit.html]<br> 
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If you're already using OpenWRT, you can use Luci to install the Mass Mesh firmware.
The following steps should produce the `sysupgrade` firmware.<br>
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# Download the latest [https://downloads.massmesh.net/snapshots/images/meshradio/ubnt_unifiac-mesh/openwrt-massmesh-meshradio-ath79-generic-ubnt_unifiac-mesh-squashfs-sysupgrade.bin MassMesh sysupgrade firmware.]
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# Connect to the Nanostation and enter its IP address into your favorite web browser.
 +
## If you are using another version of OpenWrt, please refer to its documentation for details about its IP address.
 +
# Navigate to System → Backup / Flash Firmware → Actions: '''Flash new firmware image.'''
 +
# Choose the sysupgrade file previously downloaded and click '''Flash'''
 +
# Wait for the device to complete and reboot (This can take up to 5 minutes.)
  
<pre>
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=== From Stock Firmware (Ubiquiti AirOS) ===
./cooker -d ar71xx/generic
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If your device shipped with the latest firmware, or if you upgraded to version <code>3.8.xx.xxxx</code> or higher, you need to downgrade the device before you can flash it due to the <code>mtd</code> utility being missing in later versions. Simply download any <code>3.7.xx.xxxx</code> firmware image from [https://dl.ui.com/unifi/firmware/U7PG2/3.7.58.6385/BZ.qca956x.v3.7.58.6385.170508.0957.bin Ubiquiti Downloads] and complete this section before proceeding to [[#Install the Mass Mesh Firmware]].<section begin="flash-uap-ac-mesh" />{{Template:TFTP Flashing Steps
./cooker -b ar71xx/generic
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|factory_reset_steps=
./cooker -c ar71xx/generic --flavor=lime_default --profile=ubnt-unifiac-lite --community=massmesh/common
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# Unplug the ethernet from the antenna (This turns it off.)
</pre>
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# Use a paper clip to hold in the reset button
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# Plug the ethernet back in to the antenna, holding the paperclip steady as you do
 +
# Continue holding the paper clip until the light on the side of your UAP AC Mesh starts blinking OFF/WHITE/BLUE (should take about 30 seconds)
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|firmware_link=[https://dl.ui.com/unifi/firmware/U7PG2/3.7.58.6385/BZ.qca956x.v3.7.58.6385.170508.0957.bin version 3.7 of Ubiquiti's AirOS]
 +
|firmware_filename=firmware.bin
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|firmware_renamed=yes
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|device_ip=192.168.1.20
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|user_ip=192.168.1.25/24
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}}
  
The filename of the sysupgrade firmware may change. The examples below may differ than the binary produced from the steps above. <br>
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The LED will flash at varying speeds, then it will turn solid when complete.
In the case you are building the latest development firmware, the output directory may generate a firmware named <br>
 
<code>openwrt-18.06.1-massmesh-common-ar71xx-generic-ubnt-unifiac-mesh-squashfs-sysupgrade.bin</code>
 
  
== Flashing ==
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* The radio will timeout if left in tftp mode for too long. If the transfer is unsuccessful, try power cycling the radio and entering tftp mode again.
 
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* If you don't see something like what's shown above (maybe your "Transfer timed out.), go back and make sure that the light on the side of your UAP AC Mesh is blinking in the pattern indicated above. If not, start again from [[#Enter Factory Reset Mode]]
In the stock firmware, the access point will have the default user/pass <code>ubnt / ubnt</code>. If there is no DHCP server, it will assign itself the IP address <code>192.168.1.20</code>.
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* If the light is blinking properly, make sure that your static IP address was assigned properly. If not, start again from [[#Set Up a Static IP Address]]
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* If you are still having trouble transferring firmware to the device, reach out for help in the chatroom. Someone will help you get unstuck.
  
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=== Install the Mass Mesh Firmware ===
 
<ol>
 
<ol>
<li>Statically assign your computer the IP address <code>192.168.1.25</code></li>
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<li>
<li>Power on the device and plug it into your computer's ethernet port</li>
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Download the latest Mass Mesh radio firmware [https://downloads.massmesh.net/snapshots/images/meshradio/ubnt_unifiac-mesh/openwrt-massmesh-meshradio-ath79-generic-ubnt_unifiac-mesh-squashfs-sysupgrade.bin here.]
<li>Copy the firmware you want to flash to the device:</li>
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</li>
<pre>scp openwrt-ar71xx-generic-ubnt-unifiac-lite-squashfs-sysupgrade.bin ubnt@192.168.1.20:/tmp/</pre>
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<li>Statically assign your computer the IP address <code>192.168.1.25</code> (See [[#Set Up a Static IP Address]] if needed.)</li>
<li>SSH into the device and log in with the default username and password <code>ubnt / ubnt</code></li>
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<li>
<pre>ssh ubnt@192.168.1.20</pre>
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<b>Open a terminal/command prompt.</b> You will need it in order to copy/paste the commands shown below.
<li>Then write the firmware to <code>kernel0</code> and <code>kernel1</code></li>
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</li>
<pre>
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<li>Copy the Mass Mesh firmware onto the device:
BZ.v3.7.40# mtd write /tmp/openwrt-ar71xx-generic-ubnt-unifiac-lite-squashfs-sysupgrade.bin kernel0
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    <ul>
 +
        <li> <pre>scp openwrt-ar71xx-generic-ubnt-unifiac-lite-squashfs-sysupgrade.bin ubnt@192.168.1.20:/tmp/</pre></li>
 +
    </ul>
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</li>
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<li>SSH into the device and log in with the default username and password <code>ubnt / ubnt</code>
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    <ul>
 +
        <li><pre>ssh ubnt@192.168.1.20</pre></li>
 +
    </ul>
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</li>
 +
<li>Then write the firmware to <code>kernel0</code> and <code>kernel1</code> by entering the following into the terminal, line by line:
 +
    <ul>
 +
        <li>
 +
            <pre>BZ.v3.7.40# mtd write /tmp/openwrt-ar71xx-generic-ubnt-unifiac-lite-squashfs-sysupgrade.bin kernel0
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BZ.v3.7.40# mtd -r write /tmp/openwrt-ar71xx-generic-ubnt-unifiac-lite-squashfs-sysupgrade.bin kernel1</pre>
 +
        </li>
 +
        <li>You should see something like the following:</li>
 +
        <li>
 +
            <pre>BZ.v3.7.40# mtd write /tmp/openwrt-ar71xx-generic-ubnt-unifiac-lite-squashfs-sysupgrade.bin kernel0
 
Unlocking kernel0 ...
 
Unlocking kernel0 ...
 
Erasing kernel0 ...
 
Erasing kernel0 ...
Line 50: Line 80:
 
Unlocking kernel1 ...
 
Unlocking kernel1 ...
 
Erasing kernel1 ...
 
Erasing kernel1 ...
Writing from /tmp/openwrt-ar71xx-generic-ubnt-unifiac-lite-squashfs-sysupgrade.bin to kernel1 ...  [e/w]
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Writing from /tmp/openwrt-ar71xx-generic-ubnt-unifiac-lite-squashfs-sysupgrade.bin to kernel1 ...  [e/w]</pre>
</pre>
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        </li>
 +
    </ul>
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</li>
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<li>Type <code>reboot</code> into the terminal, and hit enter. The radio will now restart. Please wait upwards of 5+ minutes during this "first boot" process. When the device is working properly, you should see a wifi network named "MassMesh.org"
 
</ol>
 
</ol>
 
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<section end="flash-uap-ac-mesh" />
After writing the firmware and giving the radio a <code>reboot</code> please wait upwards of 5+ minutes during this "first boot" process. Soon you'll be able to access to device over WiFi (or Ethernet) in order to set a new admin password here: http://thisnode.info
 
 
 
== Recovery ==
 
 
 
To recover the UAP AC Mesh from a bad flash, or to upgrade or downgrade the stock firmware, you will need to put the device in recovery mode and send a stock firmware using TFTP.
 
 
 
# Obtain a stock firmware to flash by going to the [https://www.ubnt.com/download/unifi/unifi-mesh/uap-ac-m Ubiquiti Downloads Page] for this device and clicking "See Past Firmware" - <code>3.7.xx.xxxx</code> is recommended if you wish to flash something else afterwards
 
# Rename the firmware file to <code>firmware.bin</code>, as the device will look for this file name
 
# To enter recovery mode, hold the reset button located next to the ethernet port while plugging in the power. Hold the reset button until the side LED alternates orange, blue, off.
 
# Assign your computer a static IP such as <code>192.168.1.25</code>, with net mask of <code>255.255.255.0</code> or <code>/24</code>
 
# Connect your computer's ethernet port to the device
 
# Run TFTP and enter the following commands:
 
<pre>
 
tftp> connect 192.168.1.20
 
tftp> binary
 
tftp> rexmt 1
 
tftp> timeout 60
 
tftp> put firmware.bin
 
Sent x bytes in x seconds
 
</pre>
 
The LED will flash at varying speeds, then it will turn solid when complete.
 

Revision as of 10:40, 15 September 2020

UAP AC Mesh -- Front
UAP AC Mesh -- Back

The UAP AC Mesh is an omnidirectional, weather resistant, PoE powered access point. It is useful for short (less than one block,) unplanned links. If you live in an apartment building, this device will connect you with your next-door neighbor through the wall.

Warning: This is a PoE device. Never connect your computer directly to the PoE injector's red port!!!

Files

Ubiquiti Firmware (Downgrade to 3.7.xx)

Mass Mesh Firmware (sysupgrade)

Flashing

From OpenWRT

If you're already using OpenWRT, you can use Luci to install the Mass Mesh firmware.

  1. Download the latest MassMesh sysupgrade firmware.
  2. Connect to the Nanostation and enter its IP address into your favorite web browser.
    1. If you are using another version of OpenWrt, please refer to its documentation for details about its IP address.
  3. Navigate to System → Backup / Flash Firmware → Actions: Flash new firmware image.
  4. Choose the sysupgrade file previously downloaded and click Flash
  5. Wait for the device to complete and reboot (This can take up to 5 minutes.)

From Stock Firmware (Ubiquiti AirOS)

If your device shipped with the latest firmware, or if you upgraded to version 3.8.xx.xxxx or higher, you need to downgrade the device before you can flash it due to the mtd utility being missing in later versions. Simply download any 3.7.xx.xxxx firmware image from Ubiquiti Downloads and complete this section before proceeding to #Install the Mass Mesh Firmware.

Enter TFTP Mode
  1. Unplug the ethernet from the antenna (This turns it off.)
  2. Use a paper clip to hold in the reset button
  3. Plug the ethernet back in to the antenna, holding the paperclip steady as you do
  4. Continue holding the paper clip until the light on the side of your UAP AC Mesh starts blinking OFF/WHITE/BLUE (should take about 30 seconds)
Set Up a Static IP Address

The next step is to assign your computer a static IP address of 192.168.1.25/24.

  1. Windows: Setting a static IP address in Windows 10
  2. Mac: Setting a static IP address in OSX
  3. Linux: Setting a static IP address in Ubuntu 18.04 desktop
Sending Firmware via TFTP
  1. Download version 3.7 of Ubiquiti's AirOS
  2. Rename the firmware file to firmware.bin, as the device will look for this file name
  3. Launch a command prompt/terminal, and enter the following, one line at a time:
tftp
tftp> connect 192.168.1.20
tftp> binary
tftp> rexmt 1
tftp> timeout 60
tftp> put firmware.bin
Sent x bytes in x seconds


The LED will flash at varying speeds, then it will turn solid when complete.

  • The radio will timeout if left in tftp mode for too long. If the transfer is unsuccessful, try power cycling the radio and entering tftp mode again.
  • If you don't see something like what's shown above (maybe your "Transfer timed out.), go back and make sure that the light on the side of your UAP AC Mesh is blinking in the pattern indicated above. If not, start again from #Enter Factory Reset Mode
  • If the light is blinking properly, make sure that your static IP address was assigned properly. If not, start again from #Set Up a Static IP Address
  • If you are still having trouble transferring firmware to the device, reach out for help in the chatroom. Someone will help you get unstuck.

Install the Mass Mesh Firmware

  1. Download the latest Mass Mesh radio firmware here.
  2. Statically assign your computer the IP address 192.168.1.25 (See #Set Up a Static IP Address if needed.)
  3. Open a terminal/command prompt. You will need it in order to copy/paste the commands shown below.
  4. Copy the Mass Mesh firmware onto the device:
    • scp openwrt-ar71xx-generic-ubnt-unifiac-lite-squashfs-sysupgrade.bin ubnt@192.168.1.20:/tmp/
  5. SSH into the device and log in with the default username and password ubnt / ubnt
    • ssh ubnt@192.168.1.20
  6. Then write the firmware to kernel0 and kernel1 by entering the following into the terminal, line by line:
    • BZ.v3.7.40# mtd write /tmp/openwrt-ar71xx-generic-ubnt-unifiac-lite-squashfs-sysupgrade.bin kernel0
      BZ.v3.7.40# mtd -r write /tmp/openwrt-ar71xx-generic-ubnt-unifiac-lite-squashfs-sysupgrade.bin kernel1
    • You should see something like the following:
    • BZ.v3.7.40# mtd write /tmp/openwrt-ar71xx-generic-ubnt-unifiac-lite-squashfs-sysupgrade.bin kernel0
      Unlocking kernel0 ...
      Erasing kernel0 ...
      Writing from /tmp/openwrt-ar71xx-generic-ubnt-unifiac-lite-squashfs-sysupgrade.bin to kernel0 ...  [e/w]
      
      BZ.v3.7.40# mtd -r write /tmp/openwrt-ar71xx-generic-ubnt-unifiac-lite-squashfs-sysupgrade.bin kernel1
      Unlocking kernel1 ...
      Erasing kernel1 ...
      Writing from /tmp/openwrt-ar71xx-generic-ubnt-unifiac-lite-squashfs-sysupgrade.bin to kernel1 ...  [e/w]
  7. Type reboot into the terminal, and hit enter. The radio will now restart. Please wait upwards of 5+ minutes during this "first boot" process. When the device is working properly, you should see a wifi network named "MassMesh.org"