Both devices have latest firmware and they are connected by ethernet. There is a thick wall in between the devices so wifi connection between them is poor.
The mesh network is working, but it is slow and unstable.
I have the feeling the reason is the RUTX50 and TAP200 are using wifi as a backhaul (which is poor quality because of the thick wall), instead of the ethernet cable connecting them.
Could this be the case? And is there some way I can force the ethernet cable to be used?
To better understand and assist, could you confirm which WiFi band you’ve configured the mesh network on? If it’s on 5 GHz, this could explain the unstable connection, as 5 GHz signals are more easily obstructed by thick walls compared to 2.4 GHz. For improved range and stability in such environments, it is always recommended to configure the mesh network on the 2.4 GHz band instead. Additionally, there’s a dedicated wireless mesh configuration guide you can reference here:
Regarding your question about Ethernet, yes, connecting the TAP200 to a LAN port of the RUTX50 via Ethernet would certainly ensure a much more stable and faster backhaul connection. This setup is pretty simple and effective, involving:
Connecting the TAP200’s ethernet port to the RUTX50’s LAN port (assuming the TAP is already powered via PoE+ injector or active PoE out switch).
If preferred, you can set both SSIDs (2.4 GHz and 5 GHz) on the TAP200 to match those on the RUTX50 or put both bands under a single SSID.
I hope this helps and clarifies your inquiry. If you have any further questions or need additional guidance, feel free to ask.
Thank you for your reply. I have tried a mesh on 2.4Ghz and on 5Ghz. Both were slow. I already have an 1000mbps ethernet cable connecting the RUTX50 and TAP200. But it seems this cable is not used. Is there some way I can change this?
I just wanted to follow up here and clarify a couple of points. If you’re connecting the TAP200 to the RUTX50 via Ethernet (whether through a PoE+ injector or an active PoE output from the switch), then using a mesh setup isn’t necessary in this case.
Instead, you should set the TAP200 to AP mode. In AP mode, it will properly use the wired Ethernet uplink for backhaul, ensuring much better performance and avoiding the limitations of wireless mesh links. You can also configure the TAP’s SSIDs to either match the RUTX’s or have different ones based on your preference.
Also, there was a similar topic, that might be helpful or bring any insights, here: RUTX11 & TAP200 Same SSID