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R7500 'Limitations' in Access Point Mode (Nighthawk X4 r7500 ac2350, r7500v2)
When Configured in "Access Point Mode" (or when manually configured as a swtich by turning off DHCP), the r7500 has many limitations. A better know example is that the r7500 in "Access Point Mode...
Update: limited failover protection.
Netgear engineers seem to have identified the "problem" and written an updated firware that allows limited failover protection (using the WAN and a LAN port). Awesome, thanks! Now the WAN and LAN ports R7500 should function more like the R7000 while in Access Point Mode ("switch-like" with limited "failover")
It is nice to know that NetGear did get the message and took the issue seriously and fixed it. While it was a bit more painful than necessary to get the feedback through to the design team so they could make the change (I think most customers would have given up long before me), I am confident that NetGear does listen to their customers needs and is committed to getting their products to work in the way their customers need.
Thanks again.
DK
Update: My customer service Case was escalated and now an "expert" is also working to resolve the "issue". This has been very helpful, the customer service at this level are extremely professional, competent and attentive. I am quite impressed.
Failover: If the connection to the DNS/Gateway via the WAN completely failed (the equivlant of a disconnected a cable), it would be nice if the R7500 could to speak to the DNS/Gateway via a LAN port. The R7000 does this, as does R7500 in certain circumstances. The "expert" is currently looking into the reasons the units don't connect via the LAN (which is what is keeping me from getting the failover protection I desire). [Observation: It was my impression that the expert did, indeed, think the units were "malfunctioning" if they required a connection to the server via the WAN rather than any old LAN port. Yet they have yet to say anything "official" on the matter.]
Dynamic load balancing: It was helpful that the "expert" was able to explain to me why that the R7500 does NOT offer Dynamic Load Balancing. The R7500 does NOT have Link Aggregation features (LACP) by which the router monitors traffic on redundant (pre-designated) lines and choses which one to use (or which combination). This is a feature of more "advanced" switches/routers. The R7500 is expensive and fast, but it is not apparently that advanced. So no expect dynamic load balacing for the R7500.
... or for the R8500... at least as far as WAN connections are concerned. The R8500 advertises a very limited form of Link Aggregation (LACP), but this apparently not designed for upstream connections to the Gateway/DNS (WAN), only for certian downstream devices.
Update: limited failover protection.
Netgear engineers seem to have identified the "problem" and written an updated firware that allows limited failover protection (using the WAN and a LAN port). Awesome, thanks! Now the WAN and LAN ports R7500 should function more like the R7000 while in Access Point Mode ("switch-like" with limited "failover")
It is nice to know that NetGear did get the message and took the issue seriously and fixed it. While it was a bit more painful than necessary to get the feedback through to the design team so they could make the change (I think most customers would have given up long before me), I am confident that NetGear does listen to their customers needs and is committed to getting their products to work in the way their customers need.
Thanks again.
DK
Where can I download this firmware?
The latest version in Downloads is 1.0.0.22, which is dated Nov. 16, 2015.
I have a similar issue: does this fix also my problem? See https://community.netgear.com/t5/Nighthawk-WiFi-Routers/R7500-wireless-AP-Problems/td-p/1023401
Thanks,
Johan
I see now this firmware is for r7500v2. For the X4 R7500 (which I have) the latest version is 1.0.0.94. So... where can I download this newest version?
Thanks, Johan
If I understand what is happening in your setup, jvdstoel, when you try to connect your switch downstream of the R7500, the R7500 eventually shuts down.
Router 2 (Gbit)--> [WAN] R7500 [LAN] ---> Switch (GS742T)
Not exactly the same as mine, since my unit works fine when router/gateway is connected via the WAN
Router --> [WAN] R7500 [LAN] ---> Switch
and fails when the router/gateway is connected via a LAN Port with high traffic:
Router --> [LAN] R7500 [LAN] ---> Switch
Comments:
Based on my own discussions with NetGear about the problems I am seeing on my R7500, I suspect you are correct in identifying an error in the R7500 when in Access Point. And it is probably related to the error I am finding when I start running in high traffic through my downstream switch.
Clearly, NetGear's primary concern for Access Point operation is the WiFi, not the LAN ports. (The name "Access Point" describes what is happening with the WiFi, but says nothing about how the LAN ports should operate... and their documentation is silent as well). Quite dissappointing! The Nighthawk line is their flagship line, and for the price they charge you would expect the LAN ports in Access Point mode to work like a fully managed switch (QoS, Dynamic load balancing, aggregate links, etc), or at least like an unmanaged switch. But since their design team obviously gave very little thought to the LAN ports in Access Point mode, the functionality of the LAN ports is sub par on R7500 in Access Point mode (as you will see if you follow my thread).
I would guess that as the traffic increases (or perhaps it is only certian kinds of traffic), the wired features of the R7500 are unable to keep up, and that is causing both of our problems. I'm hoping the firmware update they gave me addresses the problem, but I'm out of time for the moment on troubleshooting and won't get back to this for a few months. I hope you are able to get somewhere.
You will have to contact NetGear directly for the firmware upgrade they provided me. I am not sure it solves either of our problem, but at least they tried. And if it doesn't, I'm relatively sure they will take the feedback and try again.
I have a R7500V2 running on V1.0.2.2.
When running as a router mode, R7500V2 behaves as designed.
When R7500V2 runs as an AP,
1. Devices connected to it via wireless work OK (i.e. wireless PC --> AP of R7500V2 - WAN port of R7500 --> gateway router). However, wifi guest can NO longer be restricted from accessing resources attached to R7500V2 as clearly the case under router mode.
2. Any device connected to R7500V2 via its LAN ports started working but then dropped out after a while. I tried it several times to be able to say that it was not an isolated incident. On reflection, I think DkinSwitzerland accurately described the symptom.
I agree with DkinSwitzerland that R7500V2 fails as an AP device. On this point, I understand his frustration having bought four units if R7500V2.
For me, I wait till an Open Source firmware available for R7500V2, I will flash it over R7500V2's original firmware. Netgear s/w dept needs to lift up its game. I do hope this is taken as a constructive comment.
>> Not exactly the same as mine, since my unit works fine when router/gateway is connected via the WAN
Router --> [WAN] R7500 [LAN] ---> Switch
This works in my situation as well.
This situation fails:
Router --> [WAN] R7500 [LAN] ---> Switch (works fine)
R7500 [WIFI] (fails)
To be more precise:
- the wifi connection remains operating (as my wifi client, mobile phone for example indicates the connection remains available).
- their is no data traffic between the wifi client and the internet after some time (I think WIFI data traffic stops when LAN data traffic starts).
- the Netgear logging reports a wifi security issue (so points you towards a wrong conclusion).
- there are no problems with the LAN devices.
- the problem can be cleared by saving the WIFI settings (after which the problem comes back some time later).
- my conclusion: software bug in R7500.
I posted too fast...
How to contact Netgear directly? I am not willing to pay them for solving obvious bugs as I bought the unit a few months ago. I learned through their website that you only can get support after 3 months when you are willing to pay them.
I found the NetGear support phone number on their website (under support). I don't remember which number I called. Good luck.
