OPNsense Forum

Archive => 21.1 Legacy Series => Topic started by: JW1990Qwerty on February 02, 2021, 09:58:04 pm

Title: [SOLVED]Can't find WIFI device.
Post by: JW1990Qwerty on February 02, 2021, 09:58:04 pm
I am trying to set up wifi for my Protectli opnsense installation by way of a WIFI access point.   It is a netgear WAX610.  I want to set up a bridge, but I am unable to find the wifi on opnsense.  What could be wrong?
Title: Re: Can't find WIFI device.
Post by: d3pr3cat3d on February 03, 2021, 07:46:35 pm
You do not have a lot of information. Does the "Protectli" have a model number?

From my hardware I run this and can see my wireless device.

Code: [Select]
# sysctl -n net.wlan.devices
iwm0

I do not use my wireless device on my firewall but I found the info from here.

https://wiki.freebsd.org/WiFi/FAQ
Title: Re: Can't find WIFI device.
Post by: thowe on February 03, 2021, 08:29:33 pm
I may have misunderstood the problem. In that case, I apologize. :-)

The OPNsense firewall and the Netgear access point have nothing to do with each other. Except that they share the same network on the LAN side. Accordingly, you cannot configure the Netgear access point in the OPNsense GUI. You have to do that as provided by Netgear.

Basic recommendation to proceed:
Title: Re: Can't find WIFI device.
Post by: JW1990Qwerty on February 03, 2021, 10:38:55 pm
Thanks.  I think I'm on the right track, but when I go to Interfaces>Wireless> devices, I am unable to find the device on my network.  How can I remedy this?
Title: Re: Can't find WIFI device.
Post by: thowe on February 03, 2021, 10:51:59 pm
That is what I was trying to express:  :)

There is no management relationship between the OPNsense firewall and the separate access point.

In this part of the OPNsense GUI (Interface - Wireless) you would only manage a WiFi card built into the firewall. But you have a separate access point which has to be managed separately (outside of OPNsense). See Netgear documentation on how to set up and manage this access point.

Basically your setup firewall + separate access point is a good thing. And many of us here have such a setup running.
Title: SOLVED Can't find WIFI device.
Post by: JW1990Qwerty on February 04, 2021, 09:09:18 pm
Got it working.  I had to sleep on what you said, Thowe, but I understand what you were saying.  What I was trying to set up involved installing a physical wifi device on to the protectly.  I was down the wrong path.  I gave my AP an IP, and was able to set it up with ease after that.  Thanks for all your help!
Title: Re: [SOLVED]Can't find WIFI device.
Post by: thowe on February 04, 2021, 09:47:36 pm
I can well understand that. The interaction of all these devices, protocols, etc. is sometimes mind blowing.

I'm glad when it works. Have fun!