Overview

This guide provides instructions on how to configure a Robustel gateway to connect to an existing Wi-Fi network as a client. This setup is useful when you want the gateway to use a local Wi-Fi network for its internet connection, instead of a cellular connection, or to connect to other devices on the local network. This process involves setting the primary network link to WLAN, configuring the specific Wi-Fi network credentials, and verifying the connection.

What You'll Need

Hardware List:

• 1 x Robustel Gateway with Wi-Fi capability (e.g., R151x, R1520, R201x, R2110, R5020, R5030)
• 1 x PC or Laptop with an Ethernet port
• 1 x Ethernet Cable
• Power supply for the gateway
• Credentials for the target Wi-Fi network (SSID and Password)

Software/Firmware:

• RobustOS Firmware (this guide is based on RobustOS v5.3.2)

Prerequisites:

• Ensure your PC is connected to the gateway's LAN port via an Ethernet cable.
• Log in to the Router's web interface. The default IP address is typically http://192.168.0.1.

Step-by-Step Configuration Guide

Step 1: Set WLAN as the Primary Link

First, you need to instruct the gateway to use the Wi-Fi client connection (WLAN) as its main internet source.

1. Navigate to Interface > Link Manager from the main menu.
2. Click on the Link Manager tab.
3. Under the General Settings section, locate the Primary Link dropdown menu. Select WLAN from the list.
4. Click the Submit button at the bottom of the page.
   

Step 2: Configure Wi-Fi Connection Parameters

Next, provide the gateway with the details of the Wi-Fi network you want to connect to.

1. On the same Link Manager tab, under the Link Settings section. Find the WLAN entry in the list and click the edit icon on the far right.
2. In the General Settings section of the pop-up, ensure IPv4 Connection Type is set to DHCP to automatically obtain an IP address from the Wi-Fi router. (Note:If you need a static IP, you can select "Static" and enter the network details in the Static Address Settings section. )
3. In the WLAN Settings section:

• Enter the name of your Wi-Fi network in the SSID field.
• Enter the Wi-Fi password in the Password field.
• Select the band of your Wi-Fi in the Band Field.
  

Step 3: Configure Ping Detection (Important)

Ping detection is used to check if the internet connection is active. If your Wi-Fi network does not have internet access (i.e., it is a closed local network), you must reconfigure or disable this feature to prevent connection issues.

1. In the same WLAN settings pop-up from Step 2, scroll down to Ping Detection Settings.
2. Toggle Enable to ON
3. Set ping server: Enter a pingable IP address in the IPv4 Primary Server and IPv4 Secondary Server fields. (Note: If no pingable IP is available, you must set the 'Enable' toggle to OFF.)
4. Click Submit to save the changes.
5. Finally, click the main Save & Apply button at the top right of the page to apply all configurations.
   

Verification & Testing

After the gateway reboots, you can verify that the connection was successful.

1: Check Link Status

1. Navigate to Interface > Link Manager.
2. Click on the Status tab.
3. The Link Status table should show the WLAN link as Connected.
   

2: Use the Ping Tool

1. Navigate to System > Tools.
2. Select the Ping tab.
3. In the IP address field, enter the IP address of a device you know is reachable through the Wi-Fi network (e.g., 8.8.8.8 for internet, or your Wi-Fi router's IP for local network).
4. Click the start button.
5. If you see successful replies in the result window, your connection is working correctly.
   

Troubleshooting / FAQ

• Q: The gateway is not connecting to the Wi-Fi network. What should I do?

• A: Double-check that the SSID and Password are correct. Ensure the gateway is physically within range of the Wi-Fi access point. Also, verify that the Wi-Fi network is operating on a band (2.4GHz or 5GHz) supported by your gateway model.

• Q: The gateway connects to Wi-Fi but shows "Disconnected" or has no internet access.

• A: This is often a Ping Detection issue. The gateway pings an internet server by default to check connectivity. If the local Wi-Fi network has no internet access, this check will fail, and the gateway will consider the link down. To fix this, go to Interface > Link Manager > Link Settings, edit the WLAN link, and either disable Ping Detection or change the IPv4 Primary Server to a local IP address that is always online (like your main router).

• Q: Where can I find the IP address that the gateway received from the Wi-Fi network?

• A: Navigate to Interface > Link Manager > Status. The list will show the WLAN link. Click on that row to see detailed information, including the assigned IPv4 address, gateway, and DNS servers.

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