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Using a WAC720-100NAS in Europ. Cant join Ensemble of other 6 APs
Hi, we bought two WAC720 AccessPoints on amazon.de to expand our other 6 WAC720. After some hours it seems impossible to join them into the Ensemble of the other 6 APs. They never appear there (fir...
Hannelore1 wrote:
After checking the box it seems that we got the American version here in Germany (Amazon.de)
I had a look for an EU Version but it seems sold out or not existing anymore.
Is the WAC720-100NAS Version the issue? Is it maybe fixable by flashing an EU firmware (wasnt able to find an EU firmware)?
Or do I have to send them back because they are note made/usable for Europe/Germany?
it's a typical Amazon problem - they simply don't care much about what they sell.
There are smart shoppers buying from the US because it's a few Dollars less, or because new products are available earlier, and let Amazon ship to export, or export them without Amazon even knowing. When arrived somwehre in Europe, customers head back to Amazon US product reviews, ranting the power supplies don't fit, the power supply voltage is wrong, and in some cases that the channels can't be adjusted to bands required can't be used, while some available ones are even prohibited. And last but not least that the devices can't be combined with local equipment from the same netgear brand. Being Mesh or the Ensembles. The Amazon (US)statement "Eligible for delivery to Germany" for example is not just misleading, it's simply wrong for most WiFi equipment.
In your case it's even worse: It appears you bought from Amazon Germany (double check), or have you bought from another seller offering on Amazon eg. on Amazon Marketplace, some even making use of Amazon warehouse and shipping, or shipping from other warehouses.
The technical background is simple (except for Amazon - they are ignorant!): Wireless devices sold in North America, or specifically to the US, must follow the FCC regulatory. This requires that there is no way for the user to configure the equipment for using bands, channels, and power not permitted. This is why the customer can only select U.S. and Canada on the devices intended to be sold in North America.
The WAC720 Data Sheet shows this:
Ordering Information (SKU)
• WAC720-10000S:
Everywhere except U.S and Canada
• WAC720-100NAS:
U.S and Canada
Unluckily, when I have it right, the WAC720/730/740 don't show the full SKU on the device itself - what can make it difficult when buying second hand equipment. The WAC7xx-10000S SKU contains a "WW" world wide unit (yes, these can be configured also to the US FCC, thus carrying also the FCC mark). The WAC7xx-100NAS SKU contains a "NA" unit.
The firmware image is the very same for all SKUs.
Unless Netgear is able to procide special assistance RaghuHR please, there is no other option but returning the products to the sender.
This is a typical example of an Amazon Marketplace seller, offering FCC-only devices into Germany, also ignorant about tech and legal...
Hi, thanks for your replies.
I checked the amazon site. It’s exactly the same you posted in your screenshots with "Select Elite" as seller. So damn I didn’t know about the NAS thing.. also I would think about Network Attached Storage (NAS) features in Germany if I read this somewhere. :S
Hmm if the firmware is the very same on all units. Is it maybe possible to flash the WAC7xx-10000S firmeware on a WAC7xx-100NAS ?
Or is there also different hardware inside which makes it impossible to legally run this unit in EU? For e.x. like transmission power, Wi-Fi channels etc hardcoded inside hardware units?
I also don’t want to use a not allowed hardware units in EU/Germany. It’s not for private use. It’s for a small none profit company. So it’s not a good idea to use illegal stuff there.
Hannelore1 wrote:
I checked the amazon site. It’s exactly the same you posted in your screenshots with "Select Elite" as seller. So damn I didn’t know about the NAS thing..
I find it not an acceptable business practice offering and selling or offering illegal hardware for export, regardless if it's Amazon US, Amazon Germany, or a related marketplace seller.
Hannelore1 wrote:
also I would think about Network Attached Storage (NAS) features in Germany if I read this somewhere. :S
Lol 8-) Netgear is making use of this SKU location designation muhc longer than network attached storage became popular.
Hannelore1 wrote:
Hmm if the firmware is the very same on all units. Is it maybe possible to flash the WAC7xx-10000S firmeware on a WAC7xx-100NAS ?
Or is there also different hardware inside which makes it impossible to legally run this unit in EU? For e.x. like transmission power, Wi-Fi channels etc hardcoded inside hardware units?
There are some more layers between the hardware platform and the running system. It's kind of a factory config defining the behaviour of the firmware.
Hannelore1 wrote:
I also don’t want to use a not allowed hardware units in EU/Germany. It’s not for private use. It’s for a small none profit company. So it’s not a good idea to use illegal stuff there.
You can held responsible either way because you will become the receiver/importer. However, because there is a CE mark on both versions, it's less suspect to the inspectors.
What kind of non-profit is it? Might have some used hardware at hand.
Its a organization who supports children in germany. its very locally.
So, at the end this means i have to sent them back because its "illegal" hardware not allowed in germany to use (even with CE)?
Hannelore1 wrote:
So, at the end this means i have to sent them back because its "illegal" hardware not allowed in germany to use (even with CE)?
Let's wait until RaghuHR confirms that Netgear can't help.
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