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Re: AC1200 R6230 can't connect as access point

butlerds
Aspirant

AC1200 R6230 can't connect as access point

Brand new R6230.  Trying to connect as Access Point.  Followed directions, but no Internet access.  Device is showing up in my main router as R6230, IP 192.168.1.145, but shows as inactive.

 

Tried power cycling the R6230 but no good.

 

Any ideas?

 

Thanks.

Model: R6230|AC1200 Smart WiFi Router Dual Band Gigabit
Message 1 of 10

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butlerds
Aspirant

Re: AC1200 R6230 can't connect as access point

Apparently, the router is very sensitive to cable length.  Brought it downstairs and connected it to a port with a shorter cable and it worked immediately, just like the instructions.  Was able to connect to the Internet and then put it into access point mode in about two minutes.

 

Yes, both cables run directly to the master router (a G1100), and yes multiple routers from other manufacturers have had no problem connecting in either room (a Linksys E1200 is upstairs now).  And no, the firmware version had no effect (tried .68, .80, and .86 in both rooms).

 

So just a tidbit to keep in mind about this particular router.

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Message 6 of 10

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antinode
Guru

Re: AC1200 R6230 can't connect as access point

> Brand new R6230. [...]

 

   Firmware version?  (Try a different one?)

 

> [...] Trying to connect as Access Point. [...]

 

   "connect" to what?

 

> Followed directions, [...]

 

   Not a very detailed description of what you did.

 

> [...] but no Internet access. [...]

 

   Not a very detailed description of what happened when you did it.

 

   Can you get a wireless client device to connect to the
R6230-as-wireless-access point?  Does it get reasonable IP parameters
(address, gateway/router, DNS, ...)?  What about a wired device
connected to the R6230-as-WAP?

 

> [...] Device is showing up in my main router as R6230, IP
> 192.168.1.145, but shows as inactive. [...]

 

   I don't know what "inactive" means in this context.

Message 2 of 10
butlerds
Aspirant

Re: AC1200 R6230 can't connect as access point

“Followed the instructions” means exactly that: went to the manual and did what it said to do (which h is basically connect a cable to the WAN port and click the “Enable as Access Point” box.

What I’m asking is whether there are other instructions not in the manual, a step I missed, or are there known issues with this model not connecting to the master router when configured as an access point?

If the answers are “no”, “no”, and “no”, then the router is broken and I’ll return it for a different brand. I have multiple routers already connected in my network; just looking to replace one with dual-band.

Message 3 of 10
antinode
Guru

Re: AC1200 R6230 can't connect as access point

> [...] which h is basically [...]

 

   "basically" what you did is not very useful.  No one here ever says
that he didn't "follow the instructions".

 

> [...] connect a cable to the WAN port [...]

 

   That's one end of a cable, which I'd expect to have two ends.

 

> What I'm asking is whether there are other instructions not in the
> manual, [...]

 

   I haven't touched an R6230, and the R6230 User Manual is a bit light
on details for this topic, so I know nothing, but, based on experience
with other models, I'd expect the router to offer a choice between "Get
dynamically from existing router" and "Use fixed IP Address (not
recommended)".  I have no idea how you might have chosen, if you even
saw such a question.


> [...] a step I missed, [...]


   Apparently not.  I have it on good authority that you "Followed the
instructions", and, with my weak psychic powers, I have no other useful
information on what you did.  (Multiple questions having gone
unanswered.)

 

> [...] then the router is broken and I'll return it for a different
> brand. [...]

 

   Fine with me.  At this rate, I wouldn't expect to make any progress
here.

Message 4 of 10

Re: AC1200 R6230 can't connect as access point


@butlerds wrote:

 

Tried power cycling the R6230 but no good.

 

Tried power cycling the whole network, including whatever router sits bvefore the R6230?

 

And do it in the right order:

 

  • Turn off and unplug modem.
  • Turn off router and access point.
  • Plug in modem and turn it on. Wait 2 minutes.
  • Turn on router and wait 2 minutes.
  • Turn on access point

 

 

Message 5 of 10
butlerds
Aspirant

Re: AC1200 R6230 can't connect as access point

Apparently, the router is very sensitive to cable length.  Brought it downstairs and connected it to a port with a shorter cable and it worked immediately, just like the instructions.  Was able to connect to the Internet and then put it into access point mode in about two minutes.

 

Yes, both cables run directly to the master router (a G1100), and yes multiple routers from other manufacturers have had no problem connecting in either room (a Linksys E1200 is upstairs now).  And no, the firmware version had no effect (tried .68, .80, and .86 in both rooms).

 

So just a tidbit to keep in mind about this particular router.

Message 6 of 10
schumaku
Guru

Re: AC1200 R6230 can't connect as access point

When reading this I would be more suspect about the cable and installation quality.

 

Just curious - beyond the "I had one at hand" - why adding routers (which make crappy wireless APs) instead of inexpensive wireless access points?

Message 7 of 10
butlerds
Aspirant

Re: AC1200 R6230 can't connect as access point

"Cable and installation quality".  Ha ha ha!  Like most installations, it was the exact same cable and same installer.  And no other router has ever has the same problem.  So doesn't take a genius to figure it out.  Cable length matters.

 

A router makes a fine access point, and it was cheap ($50).  And routers are more flexible so I can use them in other scenarios if/when I change my mind in the future.  But if you'd prefer buying access points, can't blame you.

Message 8 of 10
schumaku
Guru

Re: AC1200 R6230 can't connect as access point

Good cables make 100 meters on GbE reliably. In some decades of installing data centers and large scale office buildings I've seen almost anything in cabling. Even cables with were tested as "good" during installation ... oh well. 

 

Ok, 50 bucks is OK for what you get. Probably not many using a 100 meter cable for the Internet Ethernet uplink connection.

Message 9 of 10
butlerds
Aspirant

Re: AC1200 R6230 can't connect as access point

Let's see:  Router A works with Cable A and Cable B.  Router B works with Cable A and Cable B.  Router C works with Cable A and Cable B.  Router D doesn't work with Cable A but does work with Cable B.  Logic says it's not a problem with Cable A, but with Router D.  Standard troubleshooting process.  So spouting cable statistics won't help the next person looking at this thread.

Message 10 of 10
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