Internet speed test "Good", phone app shows 302.24 down, 23.91 up
Panel lights:
Power: Solid white
Internet: flashing white
2.4: solid white/flashing white
5:solid white/flashing white
And ethernet connections all white
(I have 2 R8000s but I can't access the second one via the IP address I was given even though it was working a day or so ago.)
Problem: I have a smart home with many connected devices--mostly light switches. But I can't get all my devices to connect. I bought a second router used as an access point and placed it down stairs--almost everythng is connected (it appears) but one light switch.
My house is 2880 sq ft. Small enough for one router.
20 light switches on 2 floors
7 smart tvs connected via ethernet
1 smart tv connected via WIFI
1 Alarm system (ethernet)
1 SmartThings (ethernet)
2 Nest Thermostats
11 smart speakers
8 smart plugs
9 wired security cameras connected via NVR
5 laptops or phones at any given time (not all at once typically)
3 other small devices
Totals:
18 via ethernet
50 via WIFI
(Few of TVs and/or laptops/phones are always on.)
The most devices I've ever seen connected (according to the app) were 52. I don't know if this includes the devices connected via ethernet or not.
The signal reaches every part of the house and is Good or Very Good based on my device settings. Before I got the second router, I got up to 49 devices after Comcast provised my CM1200 cable modem and NightHawk support changed my default settings. I may have gotten up to 51 devices. WIth one router, I was still having an issue wiht at least 3 devices not being connected. One router would span my whole house. Now I have 2 and I'm still having problems with my light switches. I've not tested all my plugs. Light switches are the easiest. Smart plugs are a lot more work.
Before the second router, connected/disconnected devices would be random. One day one light switch would not work and another day another would not work. For the last couple days, it seems to be the same light switch (I didn't have problems wiht this particular light switch before I added the 2nd router.)
With 2 routers, I should have way more than what I need to connect all my devices. Why am I still having problems. I felt certain a second router would take care of everything.
How to Configure WIFI with 2 Routers (R8000) One set up as access point
Hi guys,
I have two R8000s--one on each floor. My house is a 2880 sq ft smart home with ethernet connected and wifi devices.
I could not find any articles online that discusses whether to use 1 wifi network name on both routers, 2 wifi networks, or use the guest network on the main. I was told by a tech that i could not use guest on the access point.
Currently my main router uses Smart Connect with an wifi called Gladiator. The second router (used as an access point) still uses NETGEARXX. The bands are split on the second router by default and smart connect is not being used.
I understand that I have the following options:
1) Use Gladiator with smart connect on both (Both routers having the same network name)
2) Use Gladiator and smart connect (as above) but enable the guest network
3) Use Gladiator and smart connect on the main router and keep the SPLIT default setting of the second router
4) Same setup as #3 but wiht guest network enabled on the main
5) Use smart connect on both -- with Gladiator on the main and Soldier (using smart connect on the second one)
6) Don't use smart connect on either one. (I"m not interested in this one.)
I have no idea what difference these setting would make. I've read that Ideally I'd want my smart home on one network, my guests on another, and my devices (laptop/phone) on its own network for security reasons.
Is there an article that might explain this? How can i get more information?
So how do you have the 2nd router configured and connected?
Is the 2nd router in AP mode?
Where is the 2nd router connected? Behind the modem or behind the 1st router?
Answer to Question 1: The second router has all default settings. I had NetGear help me set it up and get it running so it would not take me all day to figure out what is wrong.
Answer to Question 2: Yes the 2nd router is in AP mode
Answer to Question 3: The second router is connected via the ethernet port on the first router. (It is not connected directly to the CM1200 cable modem.)
Update: Light switch i had problems with is now connected. But two other light switches on same floor not connected. This is the first time I've seen more than one light switch not connected since i added the two routers.
I still want to add two doorbells and a few other light switches and devices. I'm afraid doing this will make the situation worse.
How was the AP configuration set on the 2nd Router? Dynamic IP or Static IP? Static IP is recommended so you know where to access the 2nd routers web page at and the IP address doesn't change.
How are the wifi channels configuredon each? They should be far apart between each unit, router 1 at channel 1 and 40, AP mode router at channel 11 and 149 thru 161.
How was the AP configuration set on the 2nd Router? Dynamic IP or Static IP? Static IP is recommended so you know where to access the 2nd routers web page at and the IP address doesn't change.
How are the wifi channels configuredon each? They should be far apart between each unit, router 1 at channel 1 and 40, AP mode router at channel 11 and 149 thru 161.
I could be wrong but i'm pretty certain we didn't make any of those changes. I also cannot access my second router now to look at anything. I'll see what i can do between now and tomorrow. I'll try to get back to you. THANKS A MILLION FURRE38.
Look at the 1st routers connected clients page to see if the 2nd router appears there and check for a different IP address. Could have changed.
By connected clients you meant attached devices (FYI for future readers). Yes, that is right!!! There was a different IP Address and I was able to login to the router. Both of these routers say 48 devices are connected. That if 4 short of the typical total.
How was the AP configuration set on the 2nd Router? Dynamic IP or Static IP? Static IP is recommended so you know where to access the 2nd routers web page at and the IP address doesn't change.
How are the wifi channels configuredon each? They should be far apart between each unit,
Obviously it was set up via dynamic IP. lol i get it now. lol lol 😄😄
Primary Router:
2.4GHz Band: Channel 11
5.0GHz Band: Channel 48
5.0GHz Band: Channel 157
AP Router:
2.4GHz Band: Channel Auto
5.0GHz Band: Channel 44
5.0GHz Band: Channel 153
Looks like I need to change this. Any recommendations? I'm not a networking expert at all.
I did change all those settings. I was not able to change the AP from dynamic to static IP address.
It seems that for the most part all the lights upstairs generally have no problems staying connected. But at least one device drops downstairs and it doesn't matter how close it is to the router. Sometimes its more than one.
This concerns me because i want to add more devices and I should be able to given that I have 2 routers.I don't want to add a lot more devices but I would like to add more.
At what point should i consider a different/more reliable product? This thing is supposed to have good ratings.
What happens if you turn OFF these "lights" and then let the "one device" connect to the AP? Still see problems? Possible some "lights" could cause interference problems.
What happens if you turn OFF these "lights" and then let the "one device" connect to the AP? Still see problems? Possible some "lights" could cause interference problems.
I'm not sure how to cut them off except to go to the breaker box. These are light switches rather than light bulbs. There is only one that is not connecting. I've not tried all the smart plugs because they are behind desks and I'll have to go to each room and use commands. I will do that soon and typically upstairs everything works.
Question: How will turning off some switch expose an issue? Buy turning them off we can see if switches are still being dropped? I can go to the breaker box and turn off some rooms and see what happens.
Question: If there is some interference, what can be done about it?
Question: what about turning off SmartThings or abode alarm system?
Question: Would using smart connect on the AP help? (I explained my current setup in the post added to this thread.)
I apprepriate yoru help. I guess I'll go back to calling support. Everything seems to be up in the air with no clear idea what is going on or why. I'm becoming discouraged and looking for something more reliable. I thought since one router seemed to cover almost everything except 2 or 3 devices, two routers would double my reliability and be more than enough. But that is not the case.
If you still have some insight or some articles for me to consider. I'd appreciate it.
I notice too that my internet is buffering when i watch the news. This shouldn't be happening. I should have more than enough speed. I'm gong to disconnect the second router and see what happens. It buffers every 3 to 5 minutes. its ridiculous.
I recommend narrowing all this down and working with just 1 router and turning OFF all wifi devices that you can. Setup limited devices and see how things go with just 1 router. I use manual channels 1 on 2.4Ghz and 40 or 149 on 5GHz.
Smart Connect, Beamforming, WMM and MIMO enabled. 40Mhz only set.
If you can get to a stable operation with 1 router, then maybe start graduating adding more devices or putting a 2nd router online maybe in AP mode.
Thank Flurrye for all your help. I have paid support. They were supposed to contact me in 24 to 48 hrs. I've not heard back. I'm going to returnt the equipment. I may buy a more expensive solution or go with another company. I've not decided.
