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Forum Discussion
Nighthawk AC1900 Smart WiFi Router (R6900P) in AP Mode, Second R6900P
All connections are Ethernet. Buried Ethernet and feeder cable to buildings #2 and #3; Ethernet and utility feeder cabling are ~12" separation as appropriate.
Router is Nighthawk X6S, AC3600 (Model 7960), connected to fiber. Additional hardware in network: 2-WAC104 in AP mode, building #1; 1-WAC104 in AP mode (building #2), Model R6900P in AP mode, building #2. I want to add a second Model R6900P in AP mode in building #3. Multiple 8-port Netgear GS108 switches. ALL devices share same SSID.
This is a problem of longstanding, I go back to from time to time. Hoping. (I admit I am not the sharpest knife in the drawer, network wise.)
Yesterday I backed up configuration of building #2's R6900P and restored it to the building #3 R6900P. Wireless results were both mixed and inconsistent. Reading this morning I realized they were on the same Channel and Mode by my genius restore! I am confused by the Advanced | Wireless Settings (2.4GHz and 5GHz.) I did NOT try wired Ethernet connection; it was freezing and unheated.
CURRENT SETTINGS:
2.4GHz: Channel - Auto (7(P)+ 11(S)); Mode - Up to 600 Mbps; Wireless AP - On; Broadcast Name - On.
5GHz: Channel - 149 + 153(P) + 157 + 161; Mode - Up to 1300 Mbps.
Can you tell me what channels to set second R6900P to (Building #3)? If I connected a device via 4-integrated Ethernet ports, it would treat that R6900P as a switch, Correct?
The person who did all the groundwork here passed and I don't have another local resource. TIA! FBF
PS: I have screenshots of entire setup of R6900P, building #2.
9 Replies
If I connected a device via 4-integrated Ethernet ports, it would treat that R6900P as a switch, Correct?
Yes, the LAN ports on the R6900P function as a switch.
It would be useful to connect a laptop to the ethernet going into the WAN port of the router, and then run a speedtest. Either speedtest.net or speed.cloudflare.com will work. That will confirm that the feed to the building is working correctly.
Reading this morning I realized they were on the same Channel and Mode by my genius restore!
How far apart are the two buildings? What is the construction? Can you get a connection to building 2 from building 3 when you have the new AP turned off?
Normally you won't get much (if any) wifi interference unless the buildings are quite close.
I tried speedtest.net yesterday and that's where I got conflicting and inconsistent results, sometimes great other times barely registering. That was my clue I had a problem(s)! Not from a laptop though, from iPhone. I can try a laptop, ... If I can find my scarf and hat!
Building #2 is common wood frame construction. R6900P is in window closest to Building #3 (it belongs in the high-center of 42' X 32' room and will be returned there after problem addressed/solved.) Building #3 is actually a wishing well (not a building per se.) I called it B-3 for clarity. And yes, I can connect from #2 to B-3; I just want better WiFi connections. I have remote cameras 150'-200' further; this was the closest I could trench and get Ethernet and utility feeder.
Do you have any guidance on the channels for #3 (vs #2)? I'm pretty sure that's where my problem is. And FYI, until recently I didn't realize glass really interfered with WiFi transmission. I have an WAC-104 (wired, AP mode) on a (protected) ledge, outside a window. (I buy used and otherwise out-of-date/obsolete hardware. That's how I can afford my 'tweaking'. WAC-104s are old and slow but good enough for my modest needs. THANK YOU for your interest in sharing your knowledge. Thanks again. Fred
Fred B Feins
And FYI, until recently I didn't realize glass really interfered with WiFi transmission.
Low-E glass and privacy-tinted glass can block wifi, due to metallic coatings. Normal window glass won't.
I tried speedtest.net yesterday and that's where I got conflicting and inconsistent results, sometimes great other times barely registering. That was my clue I had a problem(s)! Not from a laptop though, from iPhone.
That test checks the cable+extender wifi. Connecting directly to the cable (with no R6900P) would confirm that the cable you buried is good.
Then connecting up the R6900P, and then connecting the laptop to one of the LAN ports would check the wired performance. If that is inconsistent, then your problem is not WiFi.
Do you have any guidance on the channels for #3 (vs #2)?
If the goal is to connect the remote cameras, then what matters is 2.4 ghz. 200' is a stretch for wifi, and 2.4 ghz carries further than 5 ghz. In that scenario, I'd turn 5 ghz off.
The non-overlapping channels for 2.4 ghz are 1, 6, and 11. So you could set #2 to channel 1 and #3 to channel 11 to get max separation.
I'd try changing the 2.4 ghz mode to "up to 289 mbps". Although that is slower, it is less subject to interference and I think will give you a longer range.
First, *THANK YOU* for sharing your knowledge. Buried Ethernet is functioning properly; I ran speedtest.net a number of times and it was consistent and throughput was ~as expected. (I have an upgrade kit to 1GB that I haven't implemented; I think Frontier is purposely degrading current service to force the issue. These kind of problems are what concern me.) And on top of it all, running on generator my UPS didn't warn me it wasn't accepting generator power, ran dry and my desktop died. Died like it won't boot except in Repair Mode (which is useless.) It's under warranty so I'm not terribly concerned, just inconvenienced. (I happened to do a backup just last week, ... If it took.) Dell-Costco support is very good; I had to use it once before. Here's a 'stupid' question: Connected directly to the router, why is everything soooooo slow? Consistently.
When it finally gets me into wireless settings I can move forward and report my/any progress. Coffee, dinner then back to my routers issue. THANK YOU for your time and consideration. MUCH appreciated. Expecting snow in the morning and I had a trailer full of 4-yards of wood chips to unload. The last yd will wait until the morning. F
Recommend setting 1st router to manual channesl 1 and 40, set 2nd router to far appart channels 11 and 48 or one of the higher 5Ghz channels. Or vice versa.
Thank you, a question though: I don't understand, "channels 11 and 48 or one of the higher 5Ghz channels." Thank you, Fred
Fred B Feins
5Ghz has higher channels 149 up thru 161.
I tried speedtest.net yesterday and that's where I got conflicting and inconsistent responses, sometimes great other times barely registering. That was my clue I had a problem(s)! Not from a laptop though, from iPhone. I can try a laptop, ... If I can find my scarf and hat! Thanks again. FBF
THANK YOU for sharing your knowledge! I got 1-40 and 11-48. The next wasn't clear where you answered 5Ghz has higher channels. Was that just responding to my question? It's a totally separate issue, right? I confuse so easily it's almost criminal. Thank you again. Fred
