This article describes the Wi-Fi capabilities of the different VeeaHub models. It may be helpful in planning a VeeaHub network and in choosing VeeaHubs for purchase.

Wi-Fi is used for two broad purposes in a VeeaHub network.

• It is used for creating the mesh linking the VeeaHubs, the technology that underlies the efficiency and resilience of the network.
• It is used for connecting end devices (mobile phones, tablets and so on) to the network, providing access to services on the internal network as well as the Internet. 

User devices on the VeeaHub network make the Wi-Fi connection by connecting to wireless Access Points (APs) on the network. APs are identified to the user by SSIDs. These are the names that appear in the list of available networks on the typical mobile device. On a VeeaHub, each radio in the unit can provide up to three or four SSIDs for use, depending on the model. Also depending on the model and its configuration, a radio can share the operation of the mesh and the APs.

It is possible to create APs across the whole VeeaHub network or individual APs on single VeeaHubs within the mesh.

The VeeaHub uses Wi-Fi channels on the 2.4GHz and 5GHz ranges. Regulations concerning the use of these channels vary between countries, so when the VeeaHub is first registered and activated on Veea's systems, the available channels are set according to the location. 

APs are usually configured across the whole network, but it is also possible to set up or disable APs on individual VeeaHubs, for example, to enable or disable specific services in certain areas. SSIDs may be configured as broadcast, so that they appear on the list of available networks, or as hidden, so that the user needs to know the SSID in order to connect to it manually.

Configuring Wi-Fi

Wi-Fi can be configured on the relevant screens in VeeaHub Manager and tabs in Node Manager. For models that have capabilities for APs in both 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands, there are two screens/tabs. For the cases where only 2.4GHz is available, only that option is shown.

In Node Manager:

In VeeaHub Manager:

VHC05

The VHC05 model contains two Wi-Fi radios, one operating in the 2.4GHz range and one in the 5GHz range. By default, the 5GHz card is dedicated to the mesh and the 2.4GHz card can be used to provide up to three APs. Within the options available, the channel can be selected in the 2.4GHz range for best performance in the operating conditions. All 2.4GHz APs share this channel.

If wireless mesh is switched off, a 5GHz radio option is automatically displayed in VeeaHub Manager and Node Manager, and three additional APs can now be configured for user purposes, sharing the same 5GHz channel. 

VHE09

The VHE09 model, like the VHC05, has two Wi-Fi radios at 2.4GHz and 5GHz. Each radio offers four APs (SSIDs) at its frequency. The 5GHz Wi-Fi radio provides both mesh connectivity and AP functionality. This enables both 2.4GHz and 5GHz networks to be provided for enterprise and public Wi-Fi and other purposes while wireless mesh is also in use. The mesh and the 5GHz APs share one radio and are always on the same channel, so once the mesh channel has been chosen the corresponding APs share that channel and cannot be changed. The radio settings in this case are set on the vMesh tab.

Notes:

[1] 2.4GHz mesh is not currently supported on this model

[2] Mesh is not currently supported on DFS channels

VHE10/VHH10

The VHE10 and VHH10 models have three radios. The 5GHz APs  and the 5GHz mesh function are provided by different radios, offering an improvement in performance over the VHE09 where APs and mesh share the same radio.

Filtering is provided on the 5GHz Wi-FI cards to reduce interference, with one Wi-Fi radio covering the lower range of 5GHz channels and the other radio covering the upper 5GHz channels. By default the mesh channel can be chosen from the lower part of the 5GHz range and the AP from the upper part.  However, this configuration can be reversed if local spectrum regulations allow mesh operations on the upper part of the 5GHz frequency band. 

The following table summarizes the possibilities for Wi-Fi channels on the VHE10/VHH10  models.

Dynamic Frequency Selection (DFS)

Parts of the 5GHz frequency range, used for short-range wireless communications such as Wi-Fi, are also used for other purposes such as air traffic and meteorological radar. Certain Wi-Fi channels are available only when the primary use is not in effect, and if the primary use is detected Wi-Fi must switch to another channel.  The affected channels are subject to national legislation and regional agreements.

DFS is a channel allocation scheme that is part of Wi-Fi operation. It enables the operation in the 5GHz band to switch frequency channels dynamically in response to detected interference from external sources. If this feature is available for your model, then the 5GHz Radio tab includes a DFS Auto Select Channels pop-up list. You can select the channels from this list that you wish to be used for DFS. In this case, the system will select the channel that minimizes interference from external sources. If you do not make a selection here, the default or selected channel option applies.

Note that if DFS is enabled, the automatic change of channel may cause a brief interruption in connectivity. When the VeeaHub is powered on, there is a brief period while the channels are scanned before an AP becomes available.

DFS is not available on the VHC05.

See also

Automatic Channel Selection and Dynamic Frequency Selection