[SOLVED]Can't find WIFI device.

[JW1990Qwerty]

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?

[d3pr3cat3d]

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 Expand

# 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

[thowe]

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:

• Set up OPNsense as normal NAT router. Connect the Internet modem (DSL, Cable, etc.) to a network interface (WAN). Connect the protected internal network to the second network interface (LAN). Let the OPNsense do DHCP server for the LAN.


• Connect a computer to the LAN with a cable and check that the Internet access works.


• Only now connect the access point to the LAN and integrate it into the LAN according to the Netgear instructions. The only thing OPNsense can provide for your Access Point is automatically setting its basic IP configuration (IP Address, Network Mask, Default Gateway, DNS-Server) via the DHCP server of OPNsense serving the LAN segment.


• Connect your computer via WiFi to the LAN and check the Internet access via Access Point.

[JW1990Qwerty]

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?

[thowe]

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.

[JW1990Qwerty]

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!

[thowe]

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!