ZyXEL NWA50AX

The Zyxel NWA50AX is an IEEE 802.11ax gigabit PoE MediaTek-based access point. Like many business class APs, it is designed for wall/ceiling mount, and includes a 12v1.5A power supply, and also PoE support, along side an easily accessible console port, reset button and multi-color LED.

The NWA90AX is hardware-wise identical to the NWA50AX.

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→ Install OpenWrt (generic explanation)

See the NWA50AX Pro installation instructions.

1. Boot the device. The device is booting when amber-green fast blinking, this takes a while. The device is ready when the LED is green solid, green slow blinking, or amber-green slow blinking.

2. By default, the device acquires a DHCP address.

3. Navigate to the device web interface. Default username is admin, default password is 1234. It may require you to change the password on boot.

1. If the default password does not work, the device may have already been configured. Reset the device by poking the reset hole on the back for ~10s, until the LED blinks red.

1. You can skip as much of the setup wizard as possible.

5. Check the firmware slot, see the NWA50AX Pro installation note.

1. NWA50AX has two firmware slots. OpenWRT only installs when the current slot is 1. Installation will fail if on the wrong slot and the device will reboot into the current firmware.

1. In the downloaded .tar.bz2, in debug/diag_zysh_system/diag_zysh_system.dbg (text file, open with any text editor), you want to see Current Image num : 1. If it says Current Image num : 0, you need to change the slot.

1. The slot can be changed by flashing the vendor firmware, even the same installed version.

6. Navigate to maintenance (wrench iron) → File Manager → Firmware Package. Select the OpenWRT factory .bin for upload, and upload.

1. If you get Warning ULCGI unalbe to parse CGI query!, that is the filename of the image being uploaded is too long. Consider renaming the image to factory.bin

1. If you get Firmware upload in progress -- Do not turn off the power or reset the EnterpeiseWLAN., the file is flashing and the device will reboot.

7. If the flash failed, the device will blink amber/green during boot, like the stock firmware. If the flash succeeded, the device will blink green during boot.

1. Check the firmware slot if the device rebooted into the stock firmware.

8. Unlike the stock firmware, OpenWRT is NOT configured to be a DHCP client by default, and instead is set up like a router. Wireless AP is disabled by default. You will need to connect to the device via the Ethernet port to configure it. See Bridged AP over Ethernet for instructions to configure the device as a static IP or DHCP AP.

→ generic.flashing.tftp

Installing via TFTP requires console access, and initiating it via uboot before the unit initiates normal boot within 3 seconds.

A consoled-port is labeled and readily available on the packaging.

Flash the firmware using the following sequence:

  atna 192.168.42.1    # or whatever you prefer
  atns 192.168.42.42   # or whatever you prefer - but same subnet
  atna firmware.bin    # whatever you uploaded it as - both OpenWRT or stock firmware.
  atnz
  (wait)
  atrs                 # reboot into new firmware

→ generic.sysupgrade

cd /tmp
wget http://downloads.openwrt.org/snapshots/trunk/XXX/xxx.abc
sysupgrade /tmp/xxx.abc

cd /tmp
wget http://downloads.openwrt.org/snapshots/trunk/XXX/xxx.abc
mtd write /tmp/xxx.abc linux && reboot

→ generic.debrick

100% reliable debricking can be done via TFTP, but requires console access. It needs to be initiated in uboot before the unit initiates normal boot.

A console-port is labeled and readily available on the packaging.

Flash the firmware using the following sequence:

  atna 192.168.42.1    # or whatever you prefer
  atns 192.168.42.42   # or whatever you prefer - but same subnet
  atna firmware.bin    # whatever you uploaded it as - both OpenWRT or stock firmware.
  atnz
  (wait)
  atrs                 # reboot into new firmware

→ failsafe_and_factory_reset

→ Basic configuration After flashing, proceed with this.
Set up your Internet connection, configure wireless, configure USB port, etc.

→ hardware.button on howto use and configure the hardware button(s). Here, we merely name the buttons, so we can use them in the above Howto.

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Front:
Insert photo of front of the casing

Back:
Insert photo of back of the casing

Backside label:
Insert photo of backside label

→ Warranty

Main PCB:
Insert photo of PCB

How to connect to the Serial Port of this specific device:

Unusually, this device has an externally accessible serial port which is 3.3v “logic level” UART (not RS232).

This takes the form of standard 2.54mm (0.1 inch) spaced header pins, which can be used with 2.54mm “dupont” style female plugs.

Remove the soft plastic dust plug next to the Ethernet port. The pin assignments are:

Pin 1: 3.3v **OUTPUT** ("▲" is printed on the case next to this pin).
Pin 2: Transmit data from AP.
Pin 3: Receive data to AP.
Pin 4: GND/reference.

As with all logic level ports, caution should be exercised when making connections; the connected electronic components could be damaged by incorrect connections, and/or electro static discharge (ESD). The 3.3v output pin should only be connected to adapters which require a voltage input from the target device - usually only (relatively rare) optically or magnetically isolated types - if in doubt, leave pin 1 unconnected.

See also: port.serial for general information about serial port types, cables and adapters etc.

Insert photo of PCB with markings for serial port

→ port.jtag general information about the JTAG port, JTAG cable, etc.

How to connect to the JTAG Port of this specific device:
Insert photo of PCB with markings for JTAG port

→ bootloader

None so far.

Space for additional notes, links to forum threads or other resources.

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