dghattierdc wrote

Looking at the instructions I have no idea whether this replaces my existing wifi, or if I have to go bridge mode. All of the fine features this apparently has are gobbledy gook to me. All I want is better range for about three computers for general surfing etc.

Setup is easy if you use the web UI of the EAP. Yes, it will replace an outdoor WiFi, but if meant indoor WiFI, it will extend it. EAPs have no bridge mode - they are just Access-Points, so you have to connect them by cable to your switch or Internet router. Make sure to use an outdoor cable for ESD/lightning protection, e.g. UBNT TOUGHCable. You find such cables ready for use with plugs crimped on it in WiFi online shops. For initial setup and test you can use a standard patch cable.

Here are the necessary steps:

1. Find an unused IP address in your network the EAP225-Outdoor should be assigned to (for example, 192.168.1.2 or whatever subnet you use). Make sure that no other device or DHCP uses this address and write down this IP for reference.

2. Connect the EAP to the PoE adapter, port "PoE". Connect your PC/Laptop directly to the "LAN" port of the PoE adapter. Do not connect the EAP to your network (yet).

3. Set your PC/Laptop to use a static IP from the 192.168.0.0 subnet, which is the default for any EAP product. For example, set your PC's IP to 192.168.0.10. Leave Gateway and DNS settings blank, you don't need them.

4. Start a browser and go to http://192.168.0.254. This is the default IP of an EAP. You will see the login page of the web UI.

5. Log in using username admin and password admin. In the next step you will be asked to change the credentials.

6. Now set the IP from your subnet you want to assign to the EAP in your network you did find in step 1. Select "Static IP" for EAP, enter the IP and netmask. Optionally you can set the gateway IP (usually your router's IP). Apply the settings. Note that after applying the EAP225 will not be reachable until step 7. Don't power off the EAP.

7. Change the IP of your PC/Laptop again to one from your subnet, e.g. 192.168.1.10. Connect to the EAP225 again, it now should respond to the newly set IP. If it does, you now can connect it to your network and revert back the PC/Laptop's network settings to use DHCP or whatever you did use before.

You now have added the EAP to your network. Load the web UI, set up the wireless settings such as SSID, WPA2 key etc.

Note that many people recommend to use DHCP instead of a static IP. I recommend the latter.

DHCP is fine if you manage a lot of EAPs by the Omada EAP Controller, but not for a single, stationary device in a home network. If using DHCP without the EAP Controller you would have to find out the IP address assigned by DHCP and this IP address can change over the time.

Not sure what you mean with that you had to register. You don't need to register anywhere to log into the EAP225's web user interface.

Regarding the numbers you mean the IP addresses? To set up a device for your network you need a basic knowledge of network configuration such as what IP addresses for and how to change them. As for the steps to be done to configure the EAP you need to follow them in the order they are listed above.

If you have no idea what this is all about, I suggest you get help from someone who could assist you in configuration of your network.

dghattierdc wrote

Probably so. I called their tech support. They said to connect directly to the router, as opposed to the direct to the computer in your line 2. Going to the router did get me connected. Once connected and ran the controller software one time and the software wont open up again? . 

Yes, I know tech support recommends this method, but I disagree with them. IMHO it's much easier to configure the EAPs stand-alone (I'm doing this all the time, just right now I'm configuring three EAPs for delivery to a customer).

What's more, you don't need the Controller. It complicates things much if using the Controller for just one EAP. If you have to configure half a dozen EAPs even remotely, the Controller is extremly helpful, but it is way more complicated to configure compared to the EAP's web interface. That's why I recommend to use the web interface for home use.

Only thing is that you have to initially assign an IP from your network to the EAP (only once!). If this has been done, you will be able to reach it through your network.

Alternatively, if you prefer to connect the EAP to your router, you can reach the EAP through its automatically assigned IP, too. You just have to find out the IP your router assigned to the EAP automatically (e.g. from the DHCP status page of your router).

One more note: if you did adopt the EAP for use with the Controller already and want to switch back to the more simple web interface, you need to do a factory reset of the device (pressing RESET on the EAP with a paperclip for 7 seconds) before trying to reach its web interface.