Draytek Vigorap 810 - POE issue

[Nas007]

Hi

I’ve recently setup a Draytek Vigorap 810 to extend the range of my home wifi network into bedroom. It works fine. I’ve got two questions:

1) Why won’t it power via POE? I have to use a main power supply. I’ve connected it via different network cables, both directly from my main router and via TP-link powerline adapter I’ve tested the AP at my work using a switch and it powers up, so it’s not an issue with the POE port or function.
2) My S10 galaxy device doesn’t automatically switch to the two wifi networks, I have to manually toggle each time I move from the living room to the bedroom. I’m aware that there’s an function called “Intelligent wifi” on devices that automatically switches to the strongest network, but I don’t have this option on my s10. How can I solve this?

Thanks

 

[WJA96]

When you are trying to power it from PoE where is the PoE power coming from at home?

A PoE switch or a PoE injector? And if it’s an injector where is the injector located?

PoE will only work over a direct cable connection, you cannot pass PoE through a power line connection or through a router.

If your phone is holding onto the signal it’s because it’s a better signal, either strength or speed. That access point seems to be quite old and slow so it’s perfectly feasible your nice modern phone will hold into a 5GHz faster signal even when it’s close to the slower 2.4GGz signal. I assume you have set all your wireless devices to broadcast the same SSID(s)?

 

[Semple]

I would also check what the PoE settings are on the switch - i.e. is PoE disabled on the port.

 

[WJA96]

I would also check what the PoE settings are on the switch - i.e. is PoE disabled on the port.

Agreed, although the OP does say it works off PoE with a switch in the office, so likely it is enabled.

 

[Nas007]

I’ve connected a network cable from the virgin hub and in the bedroom there’s a TP-link powerline adapter to the Draytek Vigorap 810 – which according to your answer isn’t a direct cable connection? The reason why I wanted to do this way is to avoid using extra electricity to power up the AP, if I still need to use a POE injector, then I’ll cancel this idea and continue using the AC power line for the AP.

I haven’t set my wireless devices to broadcast the same SSID, what would be the benefit of that?

Thanks

 

[visibleman]

I’ve connected a network cable from the virgin hub and in the bedroom there’s a TP-link powerline adapter to the Draytek Vigorap 810 – which according to your answer isn’t a direct cable connection? The reason why I wanted to do this way is to avoid using extra electricity to power up the AP, if I still need to use a POE injector, then I’ll cancel this idea and continue using the AC power line for the AP.

I haven’t set my wireless devices to broadcast the same SSID, what would be the benefit of that?

Thanks

Reiterating what others have said, PoE needs a direct connection to the device. So working from the AP, either a PoE injector or a PoE switch needs to be the first device. VM super hubs and (typically) powerline adaptors don't support PoE power.

As for your S10, it'll be prioritising the "better" Wi-Fi connection and hanging on as @WJA96 says. Some Android versions/ROMs allow you to manually configure Wi-Fi priority but there are a few Android apps (Smart WiFi Selector) that will attempt to do this for you, ie - it'll connect to the closest AP (based on signal strength etc) regardless of AP performance etc.

 

[Caged]

Do you mean powerline adapter? Powerline adapters are not PoE injectors. There is one Devolo model I've seen that is also a PoE injector, and it's a daft price.

The energy to run the AP has to come from somewhere, PoE doesn't create energy.

 

[WJA96]

I’ve connected a network cable from the virgin hub and in the bedroom there’s a TP-link powerline adapter to the Draytek Vigorap 810 – which according to your answer isn’t a direct cable connection? The reason why I wanted to do this way is to avoid using extra electricity to power up the AP, if I still need to use a POE injector, then I’ll cancel this idea and continue using the AC power line for the AP.

I haven’t set my wireless devices to broadcast the same SSID, what would be the benefit of that?

Thanks

Sadly, as others have pointed out, that won’t work because firstly you’ve got no actual power source and secondly, you’ve got no direct cable connection to carry the power. So it probably works fine, you’re just not feeding it a PoE signal.

As for giving everything the same SSID then some chipsets will roam more easily to the same SSID broadcast from another station and it also means you only need to enter the login credentials for all your WiFi once because you’ve only got one SSID.

 

[Nas007]

Thanks for your prompt responses.

Great forum!