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WiFi Channel locked to "Auto" and clashes
My brand new EX6200 has had the latest firmware applied and is generally functioning fine in all respects. Except... I've noticed that it is using Wifi channel 2, which directly clashes with the ro...
Thank you for your comments, apart from the presumption you lead off with. I've been deploying wifi networks successfully since 11a; this is not a new area to me, though this is the first time we've tried to use Netgear equipment of any kind.
1. Nowhere in the documentation - or anywhere else I can find - does it state that the EX6200 is compelled to use the same transmitting channel as the receiving channel. If that is indeed the case, it should be spelled out, since it does lead to increased use of that channel and possible consequences, which we certainly seem to be experiencing.
2. There are no networks within range (i.e. detectable by any means) that use channel 2 or indeed any of channels 1...6 - other than the AP which is being extended. Therefore the problems are more likely to be with the EX6200 and its forced channel clash than anything else I can surmise.
3. The fact that these problems occur even when the unit is close to the AP being extended as well as far from it, suggests an issue with the extender itself rather than with network or environmental conditions (the environment is pretty benign, as evidenced by the lack of other networks to get in the way).
4. Sadly, although the EX6200 supports Fastlane, we don't have 5GHz available as yet so that's not an option. Nor does this model support AP mode. So we're basically unable to get reliable extension with this unit unless I first upgrade something else to work around its strange and undocumented design limitation.
Again, thanks for your comment - it is far more comprehensive and informative than the half-baked response I eventually got from Netgear support after jumping through ridiculous registration hoops (ever tried to register for a religiously-rigid "requires a serial number"-based support process when the unit in question does not have a visible serial number? It's guaranteed to maximise customer frustration and discontent, quite apart from the original technical issue).
1. Nowhere in the documentation - or anywhere else I can find - does it state that the EX6200 is compelled to use the same transmitting channel as the receiving channel. If that is indeed the case, it should be spelled out, since it does lead to increased use of that channel and possible consequences, which we certainly seem to be experiencing.
2. There are no networks within range (i.e. detectable by any means) that use channel 2 or indeed any of channels 1...6 - other than the AP which is being extended. Therefore the problems are more likely to be with the EX6200 and its forced channel clash than anything else I can surmise.
3. The fact that these problems occur even when the unit is close to the AP being extended as well as far from it, suggests an issue with the extender itself rather than with network or environmental conditions (the environment is pretty benign, as evidenced by the lack of other networks to get in the way).
4. Sadly, although the EX6200 supports Fastlane, we don't have 5GHz available as yet so that's not an option. Nor does this model support AP mode. So we're basically unable to get reliable extension with this unit unless I first upgrade something else to work around its strange and undocumented design limitation.
Again, thanks for your comment - it is far more comprehensive and informative than the half-baked response I eventually got from Netgear support after jumping through ridiculous registration hoops (ever tried to register for a religiously-rigid "requires a serial number"-based support process when the unit in question does not have a visible serial number? It's guaranteed to maximise customer frustration and discontent, quite apart from the original technical issue).