Wifi Network (AP) without permanent Uplink Wifi

[danistst]

Hi all

I'm not sure whether this is an issue, a feature request, an issue with the rest of my setup other than the NAT router or just me lacking some knowledge and skills.

I'm using the ESP NAT router to create a Wifi network in my campervan (called "Wifi Network" below). In addition, I have a cellular modem with Internet access that creates the "Uplink Wifi", which the ESP NAT router connects to.

So far so good, and except for some disconnections every once in a while, this works. However, in order for my clients (a Rasperry PI with Home Assistant, a ESP32 used as a ESPHome device, my Macbook Air during development) to be able to connect to the Wifi Network at boot (i.e. powering on all devices), the Uplink Wifi needs to be running. Otherwise, the clients except for the Macbook Air won't connect to the Wifi Network. So I need to either have the Uplink Wifi (with Internet access) already running when booting the rest of the devices, or start it afterwards. Once the clients (RPI and ESPHome) have connected, I can turn off the cellular modem/Uplink Wifi and the connections in the Wifi Network persist.

Since I want to have my Uplink Wifi (the cellular modem) running only occasionally when needed in order to save energy, having to turn it on at boot and then turn it off again is a bit annoying.

Is the above normal behaviour with the ESP NAT router? Because it actually is a NAT router...

If so, is there a way to have it work/boot without the Uplink Wifi being running?

If not, would this indicate an issue with my RPI with Home Assistant or the ESPHome?

Thanks for your advise!

Cheers
Dani

[dchristl]

Hello,

the behaviour is actually not right. Normally, the router reconnects when the network is temporarily unavailable. Do you have a log of the startup until the uplink network is available? You should actually be able to find connection attempts there.

Regards,
Danny