Testing EnGenius ezMaster Solution

In connection with the expansion of the branch network of our company (and, accordingly, the increase in the entire network infrastructure, including wireless), we needed to find some kind of solution for monitoring and managing the expanded network. In particular, we tested a vendor such as EnGenius and its ezMaster software product for Wi-Fi networks.

EnGenius ezMaster is a scalable enterprise-class centralized Wi-Fi network management system that manages Neutron products. Thanks to ezMaster, you can create Wi-Fi infrastructure of any size from one control point.

To use this solution, no licenses are required, the software itself is also free and can be downloaded from the vendor's site.
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EzMaster software


ezMaster comes as a virtual appliance for quick and easy deployment. It can be launched using VirtualBox, VMware or other virtualization products.

System requirements
Recommended equipment, with network sizes up to 500 APs
CPU: Intel i3 3.6GHz dual core or above
RAM: 4GB minimum
HDD: 500GB (actual requirement depending on log size)
OS: Microsoft Windows 7 or later + VirtualBox 4.3.30 (or similar virtualization products)

Recommended equipment, with network sizes up to 1000 APs
CPU: Intel i5 3.2GHz quad core or above
RAM: 4GB minimum
HDD: 500GB (actual requirement depending on log size)
OS: Microsoft Windows 7 or later + VirtualBox 4.3.30 (or similar virtualization products)

Installation


As already mentioned, the installation file is an OVA - Open Virtualization Appliance, for deployment in a virtual environment:

  • Virtualbox
  • VMWare Workstation Player 12

We used VirtualBox-5.1.6-110634-Win in our test . VirtualBox was deployed on a regular laptop running Windows 7 Professional. The distribution of this software can be downloaded from the Oracle site.
The installation file of ezMaster itself can be downloaded from the EnGenius website.

After VirtualBox is installed, run it and import the configurations (load the ova file).

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During the installation process, you should pay attention to this checkbox: “Generate new MAC addresses for all network adapters” - EnGenius recommends enabling this option.

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Next, we expect the end of the configuration import process.

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The virtual machine is loaded into VirtualBox, but not yet active. You need to start it by clicking "Run."

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In a new pop-up window, the initialization process will begin.

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After ezMaster is started, you need to enter the username and password admin / password in the console , and then such a window should appear.

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Here we see the current network parameters that need to be changed to the current ones for your network.

Using the commands: config ip eth0 - specify the IP address and network mask. We also indicate the gateway and DNS server:

config ip eth0 172.31.31.200 255.255.255.0
config gateway 172.31.31.1
config dns 172.19.19.110

This completes the installation of ezMaster. Now you can get into the ezMaster web-interface by launching the browser and going to its ip-address.

EzMaster setup


By default, login is admin , password is password .

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Immediately go to the Global Settings section and configure the basic parameters (of course, it is better to change the password to another one right away).

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In our test, we used the EWS2910P-KIT-300. This is a bundle, which includes: a managed (L2) PoE switch with 8 gigabit ports, with an integrated controller of wireless access points (the controller supports up to 20 access points), as well as two wireless access points of the Neutron series - EWS300AP .

Now, we want to see this equipment in the ezMaster interface. Naturally, the switch and access points are active and connected to the network.

To do this, we go to the Project section and add a new one (New → Create new project).

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After creating a project (or a new site, or a new site - as you like best), we see that ezMaster has discovered new equipment (Pending Approval).

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Select them and click Add .

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The process of adding the selected equipment to the ezMaster system is in progress.

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In the Summary section, we can see what equipment is monitored by the ezMaster system.

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Of course, ezMaster’s key features are monitoring, managing and configuring your organization’s Wi-Fi networks, especially if it’s a distributed or geographically dispersed network. With built-in topology tools, it’s easy to manage such a network.

For example, in the Visualization section, it is possible to visually display existing topologies, apply equipment to a map of the area or a floor plan of the building. Which ultimately facilitates the work of network administrators.

Network topology:

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Geographic plan:

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Floor plan:

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Another useful ezMaster option is the ability to update software for a large number of pieces of equipment from your network.

Under Global SettingsSoftware UpdateOne-Click-Update, you can check for available updates.

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Here we see the type of equipment for which there are updates (also the number of such equipment), the SW version and a small Change Log about this update.

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Just select the device to be updated and click Update .

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In our test, of course, we were not able to test all the features of the ezMaster functional, having only two access points and an EnGenius switch.

But such a rather superficial test gives an idea that ezMaster is a very interesting solution for managing wireless Wi-Fi networks based on the Neutron series equipment, despite the fact that all this is provided by the manufacturer for free and is not licensed.

It is worth noting the fact that ezMaster can manage both individual distributed access points without using a hardware controller, and expand the functionality of a network that has several EWS series hardware switch controllers. At the same time, the functionality of the hardware controller is disabled and all the management and monitoring functions are taken over by ezMaster.

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