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ashtonaut

614 posts

Ultimate Geek


#304471 6-May-2023 21:26
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My parents have a Spark Smart Modem 3 doing routing and DHCP, and a pair of Deco X20s in AP mode (one with ethernet back to the SM3, the second wireless mesh to the first).

 

The Decos and the SM3 are both set up with the same SSID and password, so devices 'roam' between all three fine, and there are no issues with internet access.

 

However, it appears (I can't confirm 100% myself, but I am told) that there are issues when trying to communicate within the network:

 

  • The printer is connected via ethernet to the SM3. When client devices are connected to wifi from a Deco, printing doesn't appear to work. It does work when connected to wifi from the SM3.
  • Streaming via Airplay to the soundbar (which is via wifi to the SM3) appears not to work when connected to wifi via the Deco. Again, it works when connected to wifi via the SM3.

I'm not a networking guy, but I assume that there is something preventing or hindering LAN traffic here? Would someone be able to explain this in simple terms? Is it expected behaviour that devices on the two different 'sides' of this network setup can't communicate with each other, even though they are getting IPs within the same range from the same gateway?

 

I assume that the problem will go away if I purchase a third Deco to replace the SM3.

 

However, before I do, I wanted to check if this behaviour was expected, and if there was any device or network config setting that could fix this issue.


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RunningMan
8912 posts

Uber Geek


  #3073245 6-May-2023 21:30
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If the Decos are configured for NAT, then that would cause the issues being seen. Not familiar with them though, so can't tell you exactly where to check.




everettpsycho
611 posts

Ultimate Geek


  #3073252 6-May-2023 23:32
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Sounds like double nat, or in plain language, 2 routers routing traffic. The decos will likely have an "access point" mode that should turn off their routing capabilities and hopefully solve your problems.

I'm not sure if you'll also lose other functionality by doing this but it'll be the cheapest solution to the problem.

ashtonaut

614 posts

Ultimate Geek


  #3073266 7-May-2023 07:39
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I’m 98% sure that the Decos are already in AP mode, but I’ll check.



Spyware
3733 posts

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  #3073268 7-May-2023 07:48
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Routing occurs between different networks.





Spark Max Fibre using Mikrotik CCR1009-8G-1S-1S+, CRS125-24G-1S, Unifi UAP, U6-Pro, UAP-AC-M-Pro, Apple TV 4K (2022), Apple TV 4K (2017), iPad Air 1st gen, iPad Air 4th gen, iPhone 13, SkyNZ3151 (the white box). If it doesn't move then it's data cabled.


BlueOwl
85 posts

Master Geek

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  #3073271 7-May-2023 08:57
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It's not a routing issue, the fact that DHCP works and also most web access then routing is fine.

 

Airplay and Airprint use a variation of IP networking called multicast. Not many things use multicast but those are probably the most common. Multicast sits between unicast (host->host) and broadcast (host->all) in networking, and is used when a host wants to advertise services to clients. In multicast, clients can selectively choose whether to receive multicast services that they're interested in such as printing and media casting. Clients use the IGMP protocol to signal to the switches or WiFi APs whether they want to receive multicast for particular services. It gets really complicated in larger enterprise networks, and not a lot of people in the world are experts in the area. I could rattle on for hours about it .... which might be interesting but wouldn't solve the problem.

 

Anyway, I've never used the devices you've got so I don't know what the config is, but you should go into the Deco config and enable anything that looks like:

 

 - Multicast
 - IGMP
 - IGMP snooping

 

Same with the SM3 although from your description that seems to be OK.

 

Hosts usually send multicast advertisements every 30 secs, often less. So wait a minute before retesting. The mobile devices should then see the print and media casting services available.

 

 

 

[Edit: spelling]


cyril7
9052 posts

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  #3073274 7-May-2023 09:07
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Hi not sure if airplay uses multicast, but rather mdns, which is a form of multicast, but normal multicast tools will not assist it.

Cyril

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