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Using C7000 modem/router as access point and iphones drop wifi on 2.4 and 5 GHz channels

jamyarb
Aspirant

Using C7000 modem/router as access point and iphones drop wifi on 2.4 and 5 GHz channels

In order to use netgear wifi with frontier fios, had to configure the modem/router as an access point and use the Frontier device as the modem (it's junk but frontier only allows their equipment to receive their signal)...wifi works good with tv's, imac, and macbooks...but on iphone 6s (we have 3 of them) the wifi drops several times a day requiring a toggle of the wifi on and off to get back on until it drops off again. Happens on 2.4 and 5 GHz channels

 

Have already set 2.4GHz channel to 6 and 5GHz channel to 157.  Also configured the ip address of the Netgear "access point" to one outside the range on the frontier device and disabled DHCP on the Netgear device since it isn't functioning as a modem..only using the wifi on it it, we are a wifi house, no wired connections.

Message 1 of 6
antinode
Guru

Re: Using C7000 modem/router as access point and iphones drop wifi on 2.4 and 5 GHz channels

> [...] had to configure the modem/router as an access point [...]

   And you did that how, exactly?

> [...] and use the Frontier device as the modem [...]

   Modem+router?

> [...] Also configured the ip address of the Netgear "access point" to
> one outside the range on the frontier device and disabled DHCP on the
> Netgear device [...]

   What, exactly, did you set to what, exactly?  "range"?  Do you mean
the DHCP pool range?

> [...] since it isn't functioning as a modem.. [...]

   As a router?

> [...] no wired connections.

   Except between the (unspecified) "the Frontier device" and the C7000?

Message 2 of 6
jamyarb
Aspirant

Re: Using C7000 modem/router as access point and iphones drop wifi on 2.4 and 5 GHz channels

 

Thanks for the response, responding to your questions in order...sorry for any nomenclature mistakes on my part, just learning about these devices and the lingo.

 

to get modem to be access point:

  - disabled wifi on frontier modem/router

  - disabled DHCP on netgear C7000

  - connected netgear to frontierm modem via ethernet cable

  - set ip of netgear outside of range set on frontier device

  - see article : https://community.netgear.com/t5/Cable-Modems-Routers/Setup-C7000-as-an-Access-Point/td-p/1119878

followed the instructions here

 

Frontier device is only functioning as modem since wifi was disabled on it and DHCP disabled on netgear device (per link above)

 

IP range

  - modified allowable range on frontier device to 192.168.1.1 - 192.168.1.253 (max was 254)

  - set ip address of netgear device to 192.168.1.254 (prior max of frontier device)

  - (again see link above)

 

"as a router" question

  - see above for link to community article for making C7000 an access point

 

"no wired connections"

  - correction 2 wired connections

      - 1 is between the netgear and a lan port on the frontier device

      - 1 is from a Phillips Hue Bulb Hub to a frontier lan port

 

Any feedback/suggestions are welcome, I am going to check QOS and WMM settings as other articles recommend to disable QOS and enable WMM for iphone optimal performance and I don't know offhand what those are set to (haven't changed them so whatever the default is).  Also read somewhere to turn off MAC address authentication and ensure WPA2 personal with AES encryption is selected...again will check these later today.

Message 3 of 6
antinode
Guru

Re: Using C7000 modem/router as access point and iphones drop wifi on 2.4 and 5 GHz channels

>   - disabled wifi on frontier modem/router

   Why?

> Frontier device is only functioning as modem since wifi was disabled
> on it and DHCP disabled on netgear device (per link above)

   No, it's functioning as modem+router with its radio(s) disabled.
It's the only thing you have which can act as a router (when the C7000
co-ax connector is disconnected).

   If the iPhones are the only devices with a problem, then it sounds as
if you've successfully configured the C7000 as a wireless access point.

   It might be interesting to re-enable the radio(s) on your
(unspecified) "the Frontier device", and see if the iPhones do better
with it.  If there's a firmware problem on the C7000, then, even if
newer/better firmware existed, getting it loaded onto the C7000 could be
tough.

> [...] Also read somewhere [...]

   "Somewhere" is a big place.

> [...] to turn off MAC address authentication and ensure WPA2 personal
> with AES encryption is selected...

   I wouldn't expect any of that to matter if the initial connection
could be made, but a little experimentation should be harmless, and
might be educational.

Message 4 of 6
jamyarb
Aspirant

Re: Using C7000 modem/router as access point and iphones drop wifi on 2.4 and 5 GHz channels

 

Wifi was disabled on frontier device at recommendation of netgear support during initial phone call, the representative stated that having it enabled could cause conflict/issues with the netgear device's wifi signal.

 

The frontier device is an Actiontec MI424WR

 

The "somewhere" I mentioned was an apple support article

https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT202068

 

 

 

Message 5 of 6
antinode
Guru

Re: Using C7000 modem/router as access point and iphones drop wifi on 2.4 and 5 GHz channels

> Wifi was disabled on frontier device at recommendation of netgear
> support during initial phone call, the representative stated that having
> it enabled could cause conflict/issues with the netgear device's wifi
> signal.

   If the C7000 is situated close to the modem+router, then that makes
sense.  I normally think of a WAP as a remote device, used to extend
wireless coverage, rather than to replace the wireless function of a
(modem+) router.  If the WAP is distant from the router, and they're set
to use distinct radio channels, then I wouldn't expect significant
interference.

> [...] Actiontec MI424WR

   Ok.

> [...] an apple support article [...]

   Plausible, but it's not clear that any of that will help with this
problem.  (Only one way to find out, I suppose.)

Message 6 of 6
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