Vampyr:
Hello,
Does anyone have any experience with using a Google WiFi with a Spark fibre connection?
First question: Does the Google Wifi work with a Spark fibre connection?
Second question: If so, can it be connected straight to the ONT?
Third question: If so, how do I set that up?
Thanks.
Recently I moved from VDSL to Fibre after finally getting Fibre installed in our area, we were excited to make the transition to a faster internet connection. Whilst on VDSL we had connection issues with trying to get full coverage throughout our house as it is a decently sized home, the suggestion to use a mesh wifi system was a fairly straight forward option for us and in our case we opted for the Google Wifi setup.
The Google wifi setup is great for home use and does everything required of it. It is very easy to setup and use on a VDSL system but that tends to change when you switch to Fibre.
I spent a couple of weeks searching on the internet like most people for possible solutions to fix this problem and to my surprise I couldn't find any real explanation or fixes. There was either a VLAN 10 tagging issue that wasn't supported by the Google WIFI system or the Google WIFI system isn't good and doesn't work with a fibre setup without MAJOR network configuring is basically what was concluded.
Like most people who have Google WIFI, I returned to the store to talk to techies and look for a secondary product that could potentially do the job. Whilst talking to a techie sales rep after explaining my situation to him he said that the problem isn't the Google WIFI system, its the router setup where the problem is and here's why:
On a VDSL setup, the VDSL router is also the modem so when you plug your Google WIFI system into the router via ethernet it basically overwrites the network and becomes the network and changes the role of modem / router to just being a modem which is why its easier to setup.
On a Fibre connection the modem is the "ONT" system and then your 'router' is connected to the "ONT" system via ethernet which basically takes over the role of what your Google WIFI used to be on the previous setup. SO NOW when you try to connect your Google WIFI to the router via ethernet cable, its clashing with the existing network setup via your default router. THIS IS the CAUSE of the problem.
So what's the solution:
Basically it requires you to log into your admin page of your router and disable your WLAN. YES, disable it and totally turn it off!
Once you've done that connect your main Google Wifi point to the router via ethernet cable and then power it up. Now that you've turned the WLAN off on your router it means that the Google WIFI can now establish a network without clashing. VLAN10 tagging / capability has nothing to do with it.
On your computer under available WIFI connections you will see your Google WIFI come up under its default connection name. If you already have a network previously configured then you will see your old Google WIFI network come up. Log into your Google App and it should allow you to configure the connection and allow you to setup your network properly.
IF the available WIFI connections on your computer is default to the access point you can log directly into it by using the network key that is labeled on the actual access point.
Work through the standard Google WIFI setup as per the Google WIFI setup instructions. If you have any problems with access points you can reset them and then reconfigure them again. Once again check with your Google WIFI documentation which is available online to get this setup.
And to answer any further queries in relation to my Google WIFI mesh setup. IT works fantastically and I have full house coverage at great speeds.
I hope this helps.
