Configuring backup wireless access points (waps)

Abstract

The disclosure describes techniques for configuring wireless routers of a wireless mesh network with one or more secondary wireless access points (WAPs) such that client devices connected to the mesh network may remain online in the event that a primary WAP goes offline or otherwise becomes unavailable. For instance, a user of the wireless mesh network may specify a device, such as a mobile electronic device connected to a cellular network, to operate as a secondary WAP in the event that a primary WAP becomes unavailable. Thereafter, upon a wireless router of the mesh network detecting that the primary WAP is unavailable, the wireless router may perform a network scan to identify SSID(s) that are available within the environment. The wireless router may also instruct the other routers of the mesh network to perform a network scan.