Ex6100 connected/no internet

[Lethal57]

Hi,

There is a similar question in this forum, however the proposed answer is not commented on.

Separately, I have an ex6100v2 that of recent times struggled to connect to my mesh home network.

I reset it, and some battles with 'You are not connected to your extender's WiFi network.'...and where that doesnt lead, I was able to find the url that saved the day 1921.168 etc.

I have used genie to set it up, not WPS...and have done so twice (expecting a different result, perhaps misguidedly)...unsuccessfully.

Getting 'connected - no internet' each time on laptop/pc & mobile.

Seems little explanation is available on this on the netgear pages, and would appreciate some guidance.

thx

[rasimore]

To find the IP address 192.168.x.x for your device, follow these steps: Windows: Open the Command Prompt. You can do this by searching for "cmd" in the Start menu. Type ipconfig and press Enter. Look for the "Default Gateway" under the network adapter you are using. The IP address listed is likely to be in the range of 192.168.x.x. Mac: Open Terminal, which you can find in the Utilities folder within Applications. Type netstat -nr | grep default and press Enter. The IP address next to "default" is your router's IP, typically 192.168.x.x. Router Label: Check the label on your router. Many routers have the default IP address printed on the bottom or back. Router Settings Page: Open a web browser and type the router's IP address into the address bar. This is often 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1. Check your router's manual for the specific address. Mobile Devices: On a smartphone or tablet, go to your Wi-Fi settings. Click on the connected network. The router's IP address should be listed there.

[Lethal57]

Hi Rasimore,

Thanks for your response (and the nomination), however that url (and finding it), isnt the issue, indeed I commented that it 'saved the day'..much more than NG genie's help.

Still getting 'connected no internet', on three separate device types...so a little bewildered at that.

Looking forward to further suggestions etc

regards

[michaelkenward]

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@Lethal57 wrote:

Separately, I have an ex6100v2 that of recent times struggled to connect to my mesh home network.

I reset it, and some battles with 'You are not connected to your extender's WiFi network.'...and where that doesnt lead, I was able to find the url that saved the day 1921.168 etc.

What is that mesh home network?

Can you access it with a web browser and the graphical user interface (GUI)?

If so, the router should have a list of "attached devices". One of these should be the ex6100v2 extender.

While many questions about routers are generic and could be answered anywhere, some things need specialist knowledge.

You might get more help, and find earlier questions and answers specific to your device, in the appropriate section for your hardware. That's probably here:

WiFi Range Extenders & Nighthawk Mesh - NETGEAR Communities

You might like to search there for messages related to your issue.

In the meantime you could visit the support pages:

Support | NETGEAR

Feed in your model number and check the documentation for your hardware. Look at the label on the device for the model number.

Check for various troubleshooting tips.

You may have done this already. I can't tell from your message.

I mention it because Netgear stopped supplying printed manuals and CD versions some years ago and people sometimes miss the downloads.

[Lethal57]

Hi michaelkenward,

Thanks for your response.

Yes, I have trolled the netgear help pages before coming here, and admittedly it was a 'circular experience' (going round in....circles).

The Mesh system has no web interface that I am aware of, and it has also been a god-send after 'fluffing' round with extenders (3 or 4 of them), with various ssid's, for some years.

It is a Mercusys mesh system, made and owned by TP Link.

The router I use is a standard Optus router (telephone box type), made by sagecom.

Maybe I didnt make the right decision in resetting the ex6100, however the coverage was non-existent of recent days...so no purpose.

Look forward to your further advises.

[michaelkenward]

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@Lethal57 wrote:

The Mesh system has no web interface that I am aware of, and it has also been a god-send after 'fluffing' round with extenders (3 or 4 of them), with various ssid's, for some years.

It is a Mercusys mesh system, made and owned by TP Link.

The router I use is a standard Optus router (telephone box type), made by sagecom.

---

That's a confusing blend of hardware.

Why do you need the Ex6100 as well as the Mercusys mesh system?

Unfortunately, "a standard Optus router" could be one of many things. If it really is a router, and not just a  modem, then it runs the risk of clashing with the Mercusys mesh system, which is also likely to have a router.

At least, that is what it looks like on the Mercusys web site. If so, there is a web interface, but you haven't found it.

http://mwlogin.net

Two routers on your network can cause headaches. For example, you can end up with local problems with address on your network. Among other things, the other router can misdirect addresses that the Netgear router usually handles, such as routerlogin.net or the usual default IP address for a router, 192.168.1.1.

This explains some of the other drawbacks.

What is Double NAT? | Answer | NETGEAR Support

It could also frustrate your efforts to add the EX6100.

[Lethal57]

Hi again Michaelkenward,

Happy to clarify..

The Mercusys mesh system has 2 satelilites/repeaters with the same ssid to the end of the house. (3 separate boosters, if thats the right word).

The mesh system has no 'router' per se.

The Optus Sagemcom is simply a router with the wi-fi turned off.

It connects to the initial mercusys satelite by ethernet cable, and is the only device connected to the NBN (white device), modem.

The ex6100 I use in my garage (other branded devices did not pick up the closest mesh repeater).

It worked quite well for at least 12-18 months, until recent times.

I may reset the ex6100 again, and try the setup this evening...not sure on time constraints though.

Look forward to your further communication.

regards

[michaelkenward]

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@Lethal57 wrote:

It connects to the initial mercusys satelite by ethernet cable, and is the only device connected to the NBN (white device), modem.

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That is the first mention of NBN in this conversation. It takes us off in a completely different direction.

NBN is not an Internet technology but the system that Ausltralia uses to get broadband out to people  over a whole raft if #Internet service providers. It uses various technologies, including DSL and fibre optic cables to the home.

Talk of a "NBN (white device), modem" doesn't narrow things down.

If the  NBN device really is just  modem, with no router cinp0ents, then the thing that plugs into it, would be a router. But you tell us that the initial mercusys is not a router.

Sadly, without a model number, we can't check what this actually does. My scan of the mercusys website tells me that it provides the usual Mesh technology, a router that feeds a set of satellites.

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The mesh system has no 'router' per se.

That is hard to understand. Every Mesh system I have seen has a router at its front end.

Then you throw this into the mix.

The Optus Sagemcom is simply a router with the wi-fi turned off.

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Again, Optus Sagemcom is a brand name, not a model number. So we don't know what it cab do and how it fits into your network.

Where does it sit in the network?

The usual layout would be:

modem >> router >> satellites (or extenders)

The bottom line is that you have yet to tell us anything useful about the chain of devices on your network, from the NBN plug in the wall (the white device) through the mercusys and the Optus to the Ex6100 which is the only device with a model number.

[Lethal57]

HI, micghaelkenward,

Apols if my explanation of the set-up confused.

Yes the NBN is the roll out of internet to the populace.

There are four main connection types used, but these are largely irrelevant here.

No matter what technology (short of wireless), every nbn connection in Australia has the white box/modem

I have the NBN MODEM, which is a white box, and it connects to the Optus Sagencom modem/router, by an ethernet cable.

The wifi is turned off the optus device...as, by another ethernet cable from optus device connects to the first of the mercusys mesh satelites.

Perhaps my understanding of what a router does encouraged me to say the mercusys isnt one. As it simply connects to each subsequent satelite box, after being 'fed' by the ethernet cable from the optus router.

The ex6100 ties into the mesh wifi, and I use a different ssid for it.

As far as 'I am yet to tell us anything useful'. No offence taken; however I continue happy to provide ANY detail when asked.

I havent given model number, as (I thought) I had provided the 'layout'.

If you want model numbers (not sure how much this would help), let me know.

Hope this is clear now.

I tried again tonite, and must admit getting a little impatient (and know well this isnt the time).

This is what I saw tonite in order:

[michaelkenward]

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@Lethal57 wrote:

If you want model numbers (not sure how much this would help), let me know.

---

Without model numbers we have no idea what these devices are on your network.

You admit that you don't know how the mercusys works. Nor do we, because you haven't told us enough to go pout and fill this gap in our knowledge.

Likewise the Optus Sagemcom modem/router.

If your layout goes:

white box >> Optus Sagemcom >> mercusys

That makes three unknown devices. Any one of them could be a router. (Turning off the wifi, does not turn off the router bit.)

The worst possible scenario is that you have three routers in a row. That is  a recipe for chaos.

Two in a row is bad enough and could get in the way of your EX6100.

[Lethal57]

Hi Michaelkenward,

Thanks for clarifying.

You have the order of devices correct (white box >> Optus Sagemcom >> mercusys).

The mercusys only ever responds to the ethernet connection from the Sagemcom, and other mercusys satelites. 

The best way to provide the detail you now mention, is I figured photos of the identity stickers (or what eva they are called. And here they are:

(looking forward to your further advises)...

L=-

[michaelkenward]

As I suspected, those model numbers make all the different. We can now see what may be going on.

The picture is even more complicated than I first thought.

The white box does seem to be a simple modem for NBN's eccentric implementation of DSL. However, the Sagemcom 5366 TN is also a  modem/router. That's why it has a DSL socket.

I can't see where the connections are to the Sagemcom. I assume that there is a connection from the white box to a WAN/Internet input and that there is a wired connection from a LAN port on the Sagemcom to the Mercusys.

The Mercusys Halo S12 describes all of its boxes in the manual as routers. In reality, in Mesh talk one acts as a router and the others are "satellites"

The bottom line is that you are adding router to router, Sagemcom followed by Mercusys.

When you try to add the EX6100, it may be getting confused as which which router is in charge of its Internet connection. If it latches on to the Mercusys, if the Sagemcom handles the Internet connection, the EX6100 get lost. It may be connected to the Mercusys, but not to the Internet. Anything that tries to connect to the wifi from the EX6100 sees gets those "connected - no internet" messages.

You seem to have three different sources of wifi there, more if you count the Mercusys satellites. Do you need them all?

If you want to continue with the Sagemcom followed by Mercusys, the simplest option would be to work out how to use the Mercusys in access point (AP) mode. You will have to ask Mercusys how to do that.

[Lethal57]

Hi Michaelkenward,

Thanks for your subsequent note.

More complicated?...my setup and operation/reliance on the ex6100 WORKED fairly well (nothings perfect) for over 18 months, until recently.

Yes you are correct a WAN input to the sagemcom, and LAN out from sagemcom to mercusys.

Given the way the Mercusys was setup initially, it was reliant on proximity of the 'satelites', to the primary mesh box (located next to the Sagemcom);

I experienced no other signals/devices being affected at the time. As a result I still struggle to call the Mercusys a router, but by definition they are (perhaps 'limited router') may be more appropriate for us here.

The EX6100 simply has to pick up the SINGLE SSID that is repeated in the sagemcom and mercusys. It did so initially, and I then renamed the signal eminating from the it. As mentioned earlier, it worked well for quite sometime. I'd like to get back there, as it DOES work.

You say I have sources of wifi. I loose count.

1/ optus/sagemcom

2/ Initial Mesh box

3/ ?

The white nbn box does not emit anything, only via ethernet.

My experience with access points has not been great, so i prefer to avoid.

regards

[michaelkenward]

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@Lethal57 wrote:

More complicated?...my setup and operation/reliance on the ex6100 WORKED fairly well (nothings perfect) for over 18 months, until recently.

When you set up the system, there is a chance that one or other of the routers detected the second router and set itself to match that. (Hard to tell as neither of these boxes is a Netgear device.)

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The EX6100 simply has to pick up the SINGLE SSID that is repeated in the sagemcom and mercusys. It did so initially, and I then renamed the signal eminating from the it.

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As soon as you start changing things, those settings can fail. This can explain why something that worked for months suddenly fails.

I find it hard to see how you can get the same SSID to emanate from both the sagemcom and mercusys routers. But they are nothing to do with Netgear, so my experience is no help. You'll have to talk the the people who make them about their systems.

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Given the way the Mercusys was setup initially, it was reliant on proximity of the 'satelites', to the primary mesh box (located next to the Sagemcom);

I experienced no other signals/devices being affected at the time. As a result I still struggle to call the Mercusys a router, but by definition they are (perhaps 'limited router') may be more appropriate for us here.

There is no "limited" about it. I read the manual. It calls all the Halo devices "routers". The first one in the change acts like a router as most people recognise it while the others set themselves into a "satellite" mode.

Have you tracked down the manual for your Mercusys system?

How to build a Mesh Network with MERCUSYS Whole Home Mesh Wi-Fi router? - Welcome to MERCUSYS

Download for Halo S12 - Welcome to MERCUSYS

I found it after looking at the picture you posted of the label. That said that you have a Halo S12.

This clearly says:

The router, Halo S12, or Halo devices mentioned in this User Guide stands for Halo
S12 1200Mbps Whole Home Mesh Wi-Fi System without any explanations.

It then goes on to tell you how to Connect the Router.

So we are talking about a Halo router. 

The next bit says:

If your internet connection is through an Ethernet cable from the wall instead of
through a DSL/Cable/Satellite modem, connect the cable directly to either Ethernet
port on your router, and follow Step 3 only to complete the hardware connection.

In your case, you have connected the Halo 12 router to another router, the Sagemcom.

This is a recipe for chaos:

What is Double NAT? | Answer | NETGEAR Support

Adding an extender to this just makes things even messier.

The simplest solution to your problems would be to remove the sagemcom from your network and to connect your Halo 12 router to the FTTC Network Connection Device.

Then, if you still need it, connect the EX6100 to the network from your Halo Mercusys network.

Setting up the network before you get to the EX6100 really has nothing to do with Netgear. It is all down to the bits between that and the Internet.

Perhaps this is clearer now that you have been told that, whatever you have been calling it, the Halo S12 is a router.

[Lethal57]

Thanks for the advise MichaelKenward,

You may have seen I add some 'kudos' for your response in another post when u said words to the effect of moving/reliance on app and killing of Genie, is not a logical way to go.

Back to this one...I am aware that my ISP tracks the router/routers I am using, and in providing support for connectivity issues (nbn), it does not do so, if I am not using the stated modem...so basically I am not comfortable in taking the sagemcom out, but will give it a go.

I did use a R6400v2 for months prior to the above being identified. It work fine with both the Mercusys and then by default, the ex6100.

Where the ex6100 was located, it would not have a hope of picking up anything from the sagemcom, even IF the wifi on the sagemcom was enabled.

Hence the mesh/router system.

The mercusys (and satelites) is at the end of the day, a 'repeater'...boosting the same ssid and signal throught the house. I dont follow/understand how that is 'hard to see'.

Question - what is a router if it does not extend/repeat wifi signals?

It is interesting when Mercusys state (as you have flagged) :

If your internet connection is through an Ethernet cable from the wall instead of
through a DSL/Cable/Satellite modem, connect the cable directly to either Ethernet
port on your router, and follow Step 3 only to complete the hardware connection.

Are we assuming 'port on your router' means the Mercusys router..

As the mesh system is design to repeat and boost signals to satelites, perhaps they do not mean the Mercusys router? Possibility only.

I WILL however try the network set-up without the sagemcom, to see how I go, and if it allows more reliable setup of the ex6100, and report back.

In the interim and otherwise it is all a part of the learning curve.

 regards

[michaelkenward]

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@Lethal57 wrote:

Question - what is a router if it does not extend/repeat wifi signals?

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A router manages the flow, or routing, of the traffic from all of the devices on a network. It hands out an internal IP address for each of the things on your network that try to connect to the Internet using the external (WAN) IP address that your ISP gives you.

Most people also use their routers as a wifi source, but that isn't essential. It is perfectly possible to turn off the wifi on a router and leave it to something else to provide the wifi. But it is still down to the router to play that traffic cop" role.

A router does not repeat or extend wifi signals.

The devices that do that are called wireless repeaters or extenders.

These can be connected back to the wifi source either by wifi (that's an extender or repeater) or plugged into the router (that's a wireless access point, AP).

In a Mesh system, most brands use the term "satellite" to denote repeaters and extenders. Satellites can also connect to the router over wifi or "wired backhaul", their equivalent of AP mode. Again, all the traffic is managed by the router at the heart of the network.

One thing about Mesh systems is that their "router" can also works as an AP that feeds the signal to satellites.

Most routers can also work in AP mode. But if they do that there has to be a router – and preferably only one router – that connects to the Internet.

As you can see, there are plenty of places where things can get confused. The bottom lime is that to be easy to use, a network starts with one router that feeds on to, and manages, everything else. Your network has a mixture of things that may be fighting with each other to control things.