v2.0.9rc2 Bug Reports and Comments - WS3 Firmware

[sirhc]

Pretty much COVID and 4 years of Biden almost killed us along with thousands of other small companies. Just getting our feet back on the ground. By end of Q2 or Q3 2026 the WS4 line should be in full production and our supply pipeline filling up.

We may keep some WS units as some want a simple less expensive switch not needing 10G and 2.5G, but most will phase out sometime in 2026.

First on deck for pre release

WS4-6-MINI - same form factor just 2.5G ports

NOTE:
You could power multiple WS4-6-MINI from WS4-14-600-XXX
You could also bond 2 copper ports to WS4-6-MINI sending up 5G to MINI to share with 4 remaining ports.
I would not bond ports 1 and 2 and port 2 is only port capable of 48VH so say bond ports 1 (which is POE IN) and say port 3,4,5, or 6.

Powering the WS4-6-MINI from a WS4-14-X00-XXX provides 2 amps of power to the WS4-6-MINI for its POE budget.

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WS4-14-600-AC - same form factor as WS3-14-600-AC
WS4-14-600-DC - same form factor as WS3-14-600-DC
WS4-14-400-IAC - same form factor as WS3-14-500-DC

(2) SFP+
(12) 2.5G copper
Ports 1-12 support 24V and 48V
Ports 1-6 support 48VH

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WS4-8-200-DC - same form factor as WS-8-150-DC
(2) SFP+
(6) 2.5G copper
Ports 1-6 support 24V and 48V
Port 1 supports 48VH

We have not yet decided if we will make a larger unit but once these are in the field and proven wiping up a version with more ports is EAZY PIZIE, simple cut and paste on design layout, and firmware will scale very simply.

Also the WS4 units have a MUCH faster flash (and larger) so reboots are very FAAASSSSTTTTTTT compared to WS and WS3.

We are also considering bringing back the original feature which will allow firmware upgrades or warm reboots without disrupting the switch traffic. I HAVE TO SPEND MANY HOURS WITH STEPHEN ON THIS ONE, but I really want too.

The WS4 line has following improvements over WS line and WS3 except WS3 has AOCP.

AOCP or Active over current protection, no more damaging unit from bad cabling or whatever.
Also AOCP sees current, does not care if current is AC or DC so if you have bad grounding and it sees too much current even if from poor grounding AOCP could save your switch.

Better MOSFETs and Sensors to better hold up to ground current.

Better more direct ground patch away from sensitive parts.

Isolate on board power supply to make pathway through sensitive parts like PHYs and SOC less attractive which could save you.

There is a ground current sensor (yet un tested) that SHOULD measure ground current passing through your switch. You will be able to see how much AC ground current is passing through the switch. We will probably allow for it to send alarms at defined levels and of course you can monitor this value from SNMP. My guess is this gem will enlighten many of you on how ground current occurs during rain events which sometimes is accompanied by lightening which many misdiagnose as lightening or surge damage.

This ground current sensor, if it works (yet to be tested in field) could be a game changer for WISPs on spotting and correcting grounding issues.

It does not monitor each port but simply total through switch so if you see high ground current and want to know which path (port) it coming from you would simply unplug ports 1 at a time and watch the effect on the value. Normally radios with better tower steel bonding such as Rockets or AFX or AF24HD or AF24 (original) only with ground lug hooked up provide this path as the original AF24 was isolated or floating like a NanoStation which is why I never hooked up that ground lug. The AF24HD had an aluminum chassis so simply bolting it to tower provided ground path. The shorter the cable the better the path. Radios like Nanos or Plastic stem radios float and have no electrical bond to tower and usually never provide path to ground.

SO MANY IMPROVEMENTS, just 4 years behind schedule. THANKS COVID and BIDEN ADMIN.