Benefits of Using CAPsMAN

1. Greater Efficiency in Administration: Centralized management simplifies wireless network setup and maintenance, reducing the time and resources required to manage multiple access points.
2. Performance improvement: CAPsMAN ensures equal distribution of wireless channels and minimizes interference, resulting in improved Wi-Fi network performance.
3. Greater security: Centralized management of authentication and security policies helps protect the network against unauthorized access and security threats.
4. Better User Experience: Users experience more stable connectivity and smooth transition between access points, improving their overall experience.

CAPsMAN Basic Configuration

CAPsMAN configuration may vary depending on network topology and specific requirements, but here is an overview of the basic steps:

1. Enable CAPsMAN: Activate the CAPsMAN feature on your MikroTik RouterOS router.
2. Configure Controllers (Controlled Interfaces): Define the interfaces that will serve as CAPsMAN controllers, typically the Ethernet interfaces connected to the CAPs.
3. Define CAPs: Configure the access points (CAPs) you want to manage with CAPsMAN. Assign the corresponding WLAN interfaces and define configuration policies.
4. Configure Rules and Profiles: Set rules and profiles to define security policies, channel assignment, QoS, and other parameters.
5. Enable CAPsMAN in CAPs: Finally, enable CAPsMAN on the CAPs and set the CAPsMAN controller address.

Example 1: CAPsMAN Basic Configuration

1. Enable CAPsMAN Service

/caps-man manager set enabled=yes

1. Set up a Channel

/caps-man channel add name=channel-1 frequency=2412 band=2ghz-b/g/n

1. Create a Configuration Profile

/caps-man configuration add name=cfg1 ssid=myNetwork mode=ap channel=channel-1 datapath.bridge=local

1. Apply Configuration to CAPs

/caps-man interface add configuration=cfg1 name=caps1 
/interface wireless cap set caps-man-addresses=192.168.88.1 discovery-interfaces=ether1

In this example, CAPsMAN is enabled, a channel is configured, and a configuration profile is created with a specific SSID. This configuration is then applied to the CAPs.

Example 2: Advanced Configuration with Authentication and Security

1. Enable CAPsMAN

/caps-man manager set enabled=yes

1. Configure Channel with Enhanced Security

/caps-man channel add name=channel-2 frequency=5180 band=5ghz-a/n/ac

1. Establish a Configuration Profile with WPA2

/caps-man configuration add name=cfg2 ssid=mySecureNetwork mode=ap channel=channel-2 security.authentication-types=wpa2-psk security.encryption=aes-ccm security.passphrase=MyStrongPassword

1. Apply Configuration to CAPs

/caps-man interface add configuration=cfg2 name=caps2 

/interface wireless cap set caps-man-addresses=192.168.88.1 discovery-interfaces=ether1

In this second example, a channel in the 5 GHz band is configured with WPA2 security, including a strong password for the network. The created configuration profile is then applied to the CAPs.

Conclusion

CAPsMAN by MikroTik RouterOS is an essential tool for efficient management of wireless networks, whether in commercial or residential environments.

It offers configuration centralization, improved security, optimized performance, and a more satisfying user experience.

By leveraging the capabilities of CAPsMAN, administrators can simplify wireless network management and ensure optimal performance of their Wi-Fi infrastructures.