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Question

Problems with router as access point

Apr 16, 2018 10:48AM PDT

My internet access is through Verizon Fios. It's their "quantum" router which unfortunately only provides weak wlan coverage to part of my house. I am therefore wish to use a spare Asus RT-ACRH13 router as an access point to broaden the wlan reach but I'm having trouble getting it to work correctly.

- I know the Fios router's ip info via ipconfig.
- I reset the Asus router.
- connected the ASUS routerto my laptop via network cable
- I configured the Asus RT-ACRH13 as "Access point" mode
- I set the Asus router's ip address to an unused IP within the Fios Router IP range
- Not sure if I turned off the Asus DHCP because I do not know where to do that.
- SSID is a different name on each router
- password is the same for both ssids
- Disconnected Asus from laptop
- Connected the Asus RT-ACRH13 to the Fios router by network cable (Lan port to Lan) port.

Problem: When I enter the new Asus ip address in a browser it cannot connect.

What to do?

And now I can no longer access the settings page of the Asus router to try using same ssids. When I cable connect the Asus to my laptop, the laptop will connect to it but I cannot access its settings page by entering its old or new ip address in a browser.

Post was last edited on April 16, 2018 10:57 AM PDT

Discussion is locked

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Answer
If DHCP is enabled you will have problems.
Apr 16, 2018 11:35AM PDT

There's that and I see you connected the router as a WAP. The old way (see google about "router as a WAP") had us connect LAN to LAN port on first router to second router (as a WAP.)

WHY IT MENTION THIS is some new routers let us use the WAN port in such a configuration giving back the extra LAN port. I'm going to hunt down a manual next. REMEMBER folk, if you want this to go faster, supply links to the product manual so we read from the same book.

Since DHCP is not known I'd look into that.

Before I get into the manual I'll assume the Asus router is on Firmware Version 3.0.0.4.380.8228 .

The manual I'll use here is at http://dlcdnet.asus.com/pub/ASUS/wireless/RT-ACRH13/E11649_RT_ACRH13_Manual.pdf

1. Access Point Mode was woefully under documented. For this round I'm going to write that if it fails, let's go back to old school router as a WAP setups. Which is.
2. Put the router back to it's default config.
3. Set the IP of the router to as you wish as some IP inside your LAN space and don't connect it to your LAN yet.
4. Disable DHCP. See page 56.
5. Save if the router requires that step, reboot and remember the Asus router's IP for later. Connect the Asus with the usual LAN to LAN cable.

That should work.

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Problems with router as access point
Apr 16, 2018 8:06PM PDT

Thank you so much for replying. I've spent so much time and frustration getting this to work that I am so happy to get some knowledgeable help.

I assume WAP means Wireless Access Point. Correct?

As you noted the manual hardly mentions using the router as an Access Point beyond indicating where to select Access Point mode.

You say "2. Put the router back to it's default config"

I assume you mean press the reset on the router and then not switch it to Access Point mode as I have previously done. Right?

Should the ssid and password be the same on both routers?

Should the 2.4G channel be the same on both routers or can it be different?

Thank you again for helping. I really appreciate it.

It is late at night now, so I'll follow your instructions after work tomorrow.

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WAP = Wireless Access Point.
Apr 16, 2018 8:30PM PDT

Not to upset you, google?

2. The Access Point mode seemed to be something entirely different than what we want. I don't want to get into this since the manual was so lacking here. So why not the old fashioned way?

YOUR CHOICE ON SSID AND PASSWORD. I DON'T DO THIS since I want to know what AP I'm connecting to. I will not debate this as it's always your choice.

As to the channel, we don't want to overlap. This should always be different or just use the AUTO mode if the router./AP offers it.

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WAP
Apr 17, 2018 12:31PM PDT

Hi R. Proffitt, I hope you are still around.

I did:
2. Reset the router back to it's default config.
3. Set the IP of the router to in IP inside my LAN space (and didn't connect it to my LAN yet).
4. Disabled DHCP.
5. Saved in the router.
rebooted the laptop.
Connected the Asus with the usual LAN to LAN cable.

a. Now, When I enter the Asus's new IP in my browser, it will not connect and times out.
b. I am on a Windows 10 laptop, and I can see the Asus on my list of available networks and the laptop can connect to it but with "no internet"
c. When the laptop is connected to the ASUS network with no internet, I still cannot access its settings page with any ip address.

What should I do?

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There is a thing called CLIENT ISOLATION
Apr 17, 2018 12:35PM PDT

I take it you knew to put the router inside your LAN. If you don't share the current LAN IP setup like 192.168.9.x and Netmask 255.255.255.0 and your new WAP IP I can't check this for you.

Also, a firewall in the first router often has to be disabled along with Client Isolation. Remember we are in an advanced network discussion and I don't own your gear so I can only guide. If there are odd things or the IP is off your LAN then you can't reach it.

Let's hear more about the IP plan.

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client isolation
Apr 17, 2018 1:13PM PDT

I assigned the Asus an ip within my lan.

Wouldn't it be dangerous to put the information you request on the web?

I went into the settings of the (primary) fios router the Asus is connected to and it shows that there is one ethernet connection existing. (That must be the LAN to Lan cable) So it is connected. The connection type is "bridge". The connections are called 5.0Ghz Access Point 1 and 2.4Ghz Access Point 2.

When I go into the links these lead to on that Verizon page it takes me to a page titled "2.4GHz Wireless Access Point 2 Properties" where I see a lot of data about those access points including mac address and :

Name: 2.4GHz Wireless Access Point 2
Status: Connected
Connection Type: Wireless 802.11 2.4GHz Access Point
IP address distribution disabled
Received Packets: 39809122
Sent Packets: 44224405
Time Span: 25:27:50

What else should I do?

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client Isolation
Apr 17, 2018 1:24PM PDT

I think you pointed me in the right direction.

On the Fios router, I found a page called diagnostics. On it I was able to ping the ip address I gave the Asus router and the ping failed.
Maybe I should call Verizon tech support. They should know what to do on their router to make it work.

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No. It is not dangerous to publish 192.x.x.x and 10.x.x.x
Apr 17, 2018 1:34PM PDT

Addresses. I've had to step away from discussions when the member won't share this info.

It means I can't check your work. Why these IPs are not useful is covered in so many articles so I hope to not upset folk when I need this detail and they refuse. It means I have to leave them to call in networking specialist and for me to step back.

Since I don't know the IP plan, I can't proceed.

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No. It is not dangerous to publish 192.x.x.x and 10.x.x.x
Apr 18, 2018 6:15AM PDT

All it took for me to get it to work is
1. Change the mode to Access Mode in the Asus router's settings (contrary to what you advised)
2. When I did that the Asus configuration screen told me the ip had been changed and to download the Asus Discovery Tool to discover the new ip.
3. Discovery gave me the new ip which indeed had changed to a new one.
4. Entered the new ip in my browser and voila I could access the Asus settings screen which was now an Access Point.

How do I delete my cnet forum account?

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Just post in Forum Feedback
Apr 18, 2018 6:28AM PDT

And Admin will delete it. I hope you got it working but without those LAN IP addresses and netmask I can't do a basic check.

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No. It is not dangerous to publish 192.x.x.x and 10.x.x.x
Apr 18, 2018 6:40AM PDT

I understand. But I think you too can understand that with the advice you gave me (avoiding the simple "AP mode") being so contrary to what I needed to do that I could be suspicious of your motives. Anyway, I changed my cnet forums password and my AP now works great.

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I'm just someone
Apr 18, 2018 6:50AM PDT

That wrote router code years ago. Sorry that you feel my motives were suspect.

The router maker's documentation was lacking in their AP mode. It did allude it was for use with a second router by the maker so my thought was to try it the usual way.

Glad to read you did sort it out.

Post was last edited on April 18, 2018 7:17 AM PDT

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Apology
Apr 18, 2018 10:29AM PDT

I apologize. I did not mean to impune your intentions. With my poor knowledge of networking, I just became suspicious, probably with no real reason. Just insecurity and lack of knowledge on my part. I'm sorry.

Anyway all is well. Pings are sent and received and the WAP (see, I learned something) seems to be working as it should.

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Stay suspicious.
Apr 18, 2018 10:39AM PDT

There are forums where others will ask you to let them log into your PC and remote control. So far not one CNET Moderator has offered this. We just don't do that here.

I understand why folk are put off with sharing information so I try to stick to just what I need for the discussion.

Anyhow, all done and you are ready to support your new setup. So many today have a tech come in and if it fails, have to call the tech in again ($$$?)