VF HG659 router as AP, no internet

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GSVNoFixedAbode

55 posts

Master Geek

#293351 15-Jan-2022 22:13

Ok, this is an odd one, and I'm hoping someone can advise on what I've missed:

replaced old Vodafone HG659 with a TP-Link AX 1800 after getting fed up with the limited # of devices available on the '659.
attempting to use the '659 as an AP in the far corner of the house using Dlink Powerline for the Ethernet connection, plugged into LAN port (not WAN port)
turned off DHCP on the '659
assigned static IP (10.1.1.253), with main router range for DHCP set to 10.1.1.2-240 on the AX 1800
changed the SSID on the '659 to avoid confusion and confirmed subnet mask is 255.255.255.0 in LAN Interface settings on '659

All good so far:

I can connect to the '659 via a web page at the 10.1.1.253 address when on the AX 1800 WiFi
I can connect to the new SSID directly, and when connected can see all the other devices on the main network eg can connect to a webcam at 10.1.1.10 from my phone using the new SSID
However, I cannot connect to or see the internet from the new SSID on the '659.

Any suggestions? (apart from "ditch the old kit" 😉)

richms

28218 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#2851297 16-Jan-2022 00:50

Check the IP assignment on the device is correct from the DHCP in the internet facing router. IPCONFIG /all will show all the details on the DHCP lease and the time etc.

Check that it has a default gateway and default route. IPCONFIG output as well as doing ROUTE PRINT and looking at the top one in the IPv4 section to check that its actually picked it up.

Check the arp table that the mac address of the default gateway is really that of the new tp link router. ARP -A will list all the IPs and the mac address it has associated with it, if that varys between devices on your extended network and something on the main router, then a device is playing sillybuggers and doing arp spoofing which breaks things more often than fixing them.

Richard rich.ms

robjg63

4101 posts

Uber Geek

Subscriber

#2851322 16-Jan-2022 08:37

Not an answer to your question, but how are you finding the coverage/signal strength of the TP-Link AX 1800?

I have been thinking about replacing my HG659 (for the same reasons as you) with maybe a mesh system https://www.geekzone.co.nz/forums.asp?forumid=66&topicid=293332

Though a straight router upgrade would probably work ok - the HG659 does give quite good coverage through our house.

Interested in your thoughts on the AX 1800 (I presume its actually an archer AX20).

Nothing is impossible for the man who doesn't have to do it himself - A. H. Weiler

GSVNoFixedAbode

55 posts

Master Geek

#2852751 18-Jan-2022 11:34

AX 1800 seems a solid router and better coverage than the older Vodafone one, no question.

Resolved my issue, so for anyone else tumbling this particular rabbit hole, here's how I fixed it:

Ended up Resetting to factory defaults - to clear out any odd/partial/historic/hidden settings
Turn off IPV6 DHCP & save (wasn't showing as enabled previously), then
Turn off IPV4 DHCP & save (had done previously)
Ethernet cable plugged into LAN port (not WAN)
Different SSID, but same /24 range (10.1.1.xxx)
Allocated static IP address (10.1.1.253)

... and then it just worked!