Necessary to use the Border Router as an AP

mjkuwp94

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Mar 7, 2021, 3:40:37 PM3/7/21

to openthread-users

This is a general question. A big part of the job building the example projects is the use of and management of the Border Router acting as its own Access Point.

I am plugging my RPi into ethernet with internet access from the start so even when the AP fails to run (as just happened) I can load the web gui with 192.168.0.xx

I am using the ThreadGroup app from the Play Store.

what is the purpose of using the Border Router as the AP when commissioning?

I guess this may be a function added because of how the end users would experience the Thread Network?

thanks!

Mark

PS
I am building.
- openthread border router from source code on the Raspberry Pi 3B+

- devices are nRF52840 PCA10059 dongle, using source code from openthread

previously I was using resources from Nordic but I am trying to change so that I am compiling these projects

mjkuwp94

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Mar 7, 2021, 5:00:06 PM3/7/21

to openthread-users

I just realized my question may not be clear.

Is it necessary to use the Access Point function to commission a network?

I can connect my Phone to my local network through an ipv4 address with wifi - the usual way.

The Rasberry Pi Border Router is connected via Ethernet to the same network.

The Raspberry Pi serves the OpenThread Border Router over a local ipv4 address.

Things appear to work well nominally so I am wondering if the Access Point is servine a second and necessary function. The Access Point is also the function I am having the most trouble with but that is a different story.

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Jonathan Hui

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Mar 7, 2021, 5:13:13 PM3/7/21

to mjkuwp94, openthread-users

Wi-Fi AP mode is just a convenient way to demonstrate Thread Commissioner functionality without needing a separate Wi-Fi AP. If you have an existing Wi-Fi AP, then joining both the RPi and mobile device as Wi-Fi clients will work just fine.

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Jonathan Hui

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mjkuwp94

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Mar 7, 2021, 5:35:10 PM3/7/21

to Jonathan Hui, openthread-users

"f you have an existing Wi-Fi AP, then joining both the RPi and mobile device"

and is it also ok for the RPi to be connected through Ethernet? the devices are accessible to each other through the router - at least they have been via ipv4.

thanks!

Jonathan Hui

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Mar 7, 2021, 5:38:45 PM3/7/21

to mjkuwp94, openthread-users

Yes, of course. However, mobile devices typically do not have Ethernet. If you are using a mobile app to perform Thread Commissioning, then you'll likely need a Wi-Fi AP to connect the mobile device. If all of your devices can connect directly to Ethernet, then no Wi-Fi AP is required.