Bolt (Customer) asked a question.
StrideLinx VPN WiFi Bridging
I'm looking at the specs on the SE-SL3011-WF, and it shows the wireless can work in Station (Client) mode, and Access Point mode.
My question is, for AP mode, can it be bridged to the WAN port? Say I have separate subnets for the local network (WAN port) , and for the control network (LAN ports). Could I setup the wireless to connect to the locally available wifi, and then bridge that to the WAN port, creating a wired connection out to a device that would be on the local subnet?
If i understand the question, yes this is possible. In the Fleet Manager app configure the LAN and Firewall setting per your network
If that's not adequate, please provide a network diagram to clarify the request
I'm not seeing what I'm hoping to achieve in the settings there.
Let's say the local network is accessed via wireless, on LocalWiFi, 192.168.100.x.
The control/machine network is wired on ports 2-5 (LAN), 192.168.140.x.
I would like to have a wired connection on port 1 (WAN), on the local network, 192.168.100.x.
Sorry, I've never found a network topology diagramming tool I have gotten along with. I guess I could resort to pencil and paper, let me know if you need more clarification.
If LocalWiFi provides the internet access, then allowing company network access will allow such a network (subnet masks must ensure 192.168.0 and 192.168.140 are different subnets)
If LocalWiFi is not the internet access then this configuration won't work
A sketched network diagram may help
Here's a sketch of what I'm trying to accomplish. I would like for PC 1 and PC 2 to be on the "same" network.
To me, that would be accomplished by programmatically bridging the StrideLinx's WAN port and the WiFi, but I can't find such a setting.
The PLC needs to remain isolated on it's own control network.
Thank you for the sketch. This isn't possible as shown.
Does PC2 have a second NIC that can be configured for the 192.168.100.x subnet?
It could, but the situation would persist once the device in not an "actual" PC. But regardless, I'm confused, the first NEC is already configured for the 192.168.100.x?
Does anyone know of a simple din rail mounted ethernet switch that also has WiFi capabilities? Like an SE2-SW5U with an antenna? Or a din rail mounted AP to be configured as client to plug into an ethernet switch?
I've used APs to mesh with existing APs to provide wireless connectivity to control panels before. Not DIN rail mounted though.
I cant remember the user to give them credit but i do remember another user posting about using this in a wireless bridge aplication
https://www.amazon.com/COMFAST-Outdoor-Wireless-802-11AC-Coverage/dp/B07FT3LFD6
EDIT
I found the thread and they used a different bridge
https://community.automationdirect.com/s/question/0D53u00003SKs6ECAT/is-it-possible-to-connect-a-p1ameth-module-to-a-wireless-access-point
For wireless bridging, Ubiquiti has been a solid performing choice for many years now. You would have to figure out your routing/switching and subnet stuff on either side still, but the for actual wireless bridge units they make great stuff.
(need two of each of these, one for each side)
If you are going through a couple of walls or dont have a direct line of sight:
https://store.ui.com/collections/operator-airmax-devices/products/litebeam-5ac-gen2
https://store.ui.com/collections/operator-airmax-devices/products/nanostation-loco5ac
If you have direct line of sight and nothing in the way:
https://store.ui.com/collections/operator-airmax-devices/products/gbe
Thank you all for the feedback, I will likely go with an external AP in client mode.