Connecting LCS WiFi to a Home Network

Interesting.  Not sure I can help but the LCS WiFi I use for the Legacy demo had been disconnected from the router I use for the past 6 months and connected right up again when I prepared the demo.  I don't know of a reset either.  I use a Netgear Router Dual band router. 

Never connected it yet to the home router... not sure I want to either.  A truly unhelpful post.

I don't get it Marty, it works in AP mode, so I'm thinking the WiFi is obviously working.  It won't connect to any router I have, I even dug out an older router and configured it to see if that would work, still no joy.  It's like something got changed in the WiFi unit that prohibits any home network connection.

... and besides that, did you check that you haven't maxed the connections out?  Some home routers are relatively low... still that seems unlikely.  

I try to avoid WPS if possible - and always a good idea to make sure you routers firmware is up to date.

I'm sure I haven't maxed the connections, I've had many more devices connected at times.  The Asus RT-AC66U is a fairly high performance router, and should easily handle 40-50 connections without breaking a sweat.

The ASUS RT-AC66U is a 5th gen dual-band Wi-Fi router, and the launch platform for the new ASUS AiCloud service. Its speed reaches 1.75Gbps, utilizing the Broadcom 802.11ac Wi-Fi controller and working in 2.4GHz and 5GHz. The 5GHz band supports up to 1.3Gbps, exceeding current Gigabit wired transmission and 3X faster than 802.11n. The RT-AC66U offers smooth lag-resistant multitasking and super-fast streaming, while ASUS AiRadar intelligently strengthens wireless connections via powerful amplification, offering future-proof optimized performance.

As far as avoiding WPS, that's not possible with the Lionel LCS WiFi unit if you want to connect to a network and not run in Access Point mode. From the manual, the only way to connect to the network...

If your Wireless Router supports “WPS” (WiFi Protected Setup), then you may add LCS WiFi to your home network. Now your iPad (or other device) can seamlessly access the internet and run your layout. However, if your home network is busy, you may experience latency (slower response to your commands) when using the JOIN to NETWORK mode of operation.

I have used that ASUS RT-AC66U and it is a very nice router, I don't think that is going to be your problem. The web interface on that router may be able to help you troubleshoot the connection though.  You can monitor the current wifi connections, signal strength, and check to see if there are other networks close by that may be using the same wifi channels.  You can even imitate the WPS function without pressing the button on the router.

It's too bad the LCS doesn't have web interface that allows you to custom configure wireless connections to your home network environment so that you don't have to use WPS.

H1000

Well never tried the WPS mode before... but maybe I'll give it a shot later.  I agree the LCS could have more interfaces.

Can you manually ad its MAC address to the network or even see it with the router?

H1000 posted:

I have used that ASUS RT-AC66U and it is a very nice router, I don't think that is going to be your problem. The web interface on that router may be able to help you troubleshoot the connection though.  You can monitor the current wifi connections, signal strength, and check to see if there are other networks close by that may be using the same wifi channels.  You can even imitate the WPS function without pressing the button on the router.

It's too bad the LCS doesn't have web interface that allows you to custom configure wireless connections to your home network environment so that you don't have to use WPS.

H1000

I have tried following the progress of the connection on the router, but I don't see anything that helps.  The maddening thing is that once when I first got this, it actually connected.  I have checked to make sure I allow 802.11b connections, that seemed like a logical issue, but that's not it.

I live in a semi-rural setting, and my network is the big dog around here.  I see a couple of neighbors at very low levels, but they're on different channels.  I have fired off WPS from the WPS page, it reacts the same as when I use the back-panel WPS button.  I also have the latest firmware for the router.

I don't see anything pertaining to the LCS WiFi in my status in the router.

I suppose you don't have 2 LCS WiFi's?

I presume the lcs wifi works fine in the other mode e.g., you can connect to it when used as an access point and hooked to your legacy base?  Hoping the thing didn't just shoot craps

When the LCS is in AP Mode and broadcasting it's own wireless network, can the the ASUS Router see it when doing a site survey?

Yep, connects fine in AP mode, that's the only way I can use it.  I'm getting unimpressed by the LCS WiFi, it's a royal PITA to have it be it's own network, I have to change connections to use it, and then the iPad isn't on the Internet without swapping the WiFi connection back.  I can buy $10 cheap Chinese devices that connect to my network seamlessly, I am unimpressed that this unit doesn't work!

gunrunnerjohn posted:

 I can buy $10 cheap Chinese devices that connect to my network seamlessly, I am unimpressed that this unit doesn't work!

Are you thinking about a device that will connect wirelessly to the LCS and then wired to your Router? Basically a wireless bridge.

AFIK, the WPS protocol really hasn't changed much since the LCS was introduced. I could see some problems if you had some of the very early WPS equipment from 10 years ago.

Do you use WPA or WPA2 for wireless security?

I use WPA2 here.  How do you do a site survey on this router?  All I see is checking for connected devices.

It seems like the LCS WiFi and the router are connecting.  Can you look at the routers DHCP table and see if there is an address assigned to the LCS WiFi?  It most likely will show up as a GainSpan WiFi Module.  If it's properly connected, it will have a DHCP address

The WiFi does not appear in any fashion in the router's lists.  No DHCP table entry for the WiFi.

I see this in the log, when I try to connect using WPS.  It goes through and obviously initially sees the WPS request.

May  4 19:52:22 rc_service: httpd 301:notify_rc start_wps_method
May  4 19:52:49 rc_service: watchdog 307:notify_rc stop_wps_method

It also thinks the connection was a success, from the WPS page.

However, when looking in the DHCP table, no connection for the WiFi, and obviously trace of it in the list of connected wireless devices.

Since WPS on this router works for every other WPS device I've tried, including the MTH WiFi unit, I have to conclude the problem is not on my end.

Pardon me if you have done this. But in the lcs wifi manual .pdf page 14, it talks about changing the lcs wifi channel. You might check to make sure the router and lcs are on the same channel. PITA I know.  

My LCS works well using the wifi setting to an Apple router. Seems like early on I had some issues figuring out the best way to get it working and finally settled on wifi to the router. I think the instructions said that could be slow due to local traffic, but that has not been the case here.

Occasionally, I should add, there is the need for a search for an address.

John, it might just be time to go outside, walk around the stump three times , spit and bury a toad. 

TedW posted:

Pardon me if you have done this. But in the lcs wifi manual .pdf page 14, it talks about changing the lcs wifi channel. You might check to make sure the router and lcs are on the same channel. PITA I know.  

That's for the AP feature, and you actually want it on a different channel.  I did, however, put that on the same channel as a stab in the dark, but I didn't really expect it to do any good.  As expected, no change.

cjack posted:

My LCS works well using the wifi setting to an Apple router. Seems like early on I had some issues figuring out the best way to get it working and finally settled on wifi to the router. I think the instructions said that could be slow due to local traffic, but that has not been the case here.

Occasionally, I should add, there is the need for a search for an address.

I never get a connection to the router, so no need to search for any addresses.

TedW posted:

John, it might just be time to go outside, walk around the stump three times , spit and bury a toad. 

I did that, didn't help.

Find your largest hammer and lay that down right next to the LCS wifi unit overnight. Make sure the unit gets a good look at the hammer, especially the business end, before laying it down. 

I would agree that it seems to be pointing to the LCS WiFi module.  

I also have an LCS WiFi that's connected to my home network.  Its been connected and I haven't had any issues for about 2 years.  The only time it's required any attention was when I replaced my home router and I had to reconnect it.  I was able to reconnect without any difficulty.  

That experience rules out the LCS WiFi module retaining connection information that would prevent a connection to another network (router).  And it confirms that connecting to another network (router) is as straight forward as expected.  Which further supports the thought that the LCS WiFi module is not operating properly.

Maybe it just needs a trip to that spa/resort in Concord NC?

The Site survey can be found when you click "WIRELESS" in the left column and the "SITE SURVEY" tab at the top of the page.

One more thing to try is to set you Wireless channel spacing from 40 MHz to 20 MHz. The LCS operates in the 20 MHz zone only and if your router is switching between them that may cause a problem.

Hope this all helps John!

H1000

This doesn't likely help you a bit ... but I connected via wps first time.  Router is a linksys.  

After applying power to the LCS wifi connected to the base which I'd used previously only as an access point -- I selected the wps button on the router (via an admin utility).  Some linksys online documentation claimed I had 2 mins to form a wps connection with a device...

The admin utility indicated the router was waiting...

So I then flipped the switch on the LCS wifi to "join to network" from access point.

After that I depressed the wps button for a few seconds until I got a fast pulse on the green led ...

Moments after that my router claimed it was connected... and the green led went to its normal "heart beat" (slow pulse) pattern... 

But I didn't actually use it connected in this way-- meaning I didn't try to read any packets off the engines, etc.. didn't have time today for that ... maybe tomorrow. 

Due to the location of the router relative to the lcs wifi in my set up-- that is they are far apart with a bad signal to boot.  I'm not likely to keep it this way ...

John,

A couple of things I would try.

First, have you tried to disable the security altogether and see if it will connect?

Second, I seem to remember having a printer or something that was fussy about the type of encryption for WPA2.  I typically set mine to TKIP/AES but you may have some luck trying all 3 settings in there.

Finally this is a very rudimentary suggestion but you don't have any MAC filtering enabled do you?  

It sure seems weird it would work as an AP but not connect to the home network.

Tony

H1000 posted:

The Site survey can be found when you click "WIRELESS" in the left column and the "SITE SURVEY" tab at the top of the page.

...snip...

 One more thing to try is to set you Wireless channel spacing from 40 MHz to 20 MHz. The LCS operates in the 20 MHz zone only and if your router is switching between them that may cause a problem.

Hope this all helps John!

H1000

My router doesn't have the site Survey, hence the source of my confusion.  It is updated to the latest firmware from Asus for the RT-AC66U.  As you can see, I already run at the 20mhz channel bandwidth setting.

Here's the firmware I'm running, the latest on the Asus site for this router.

Tony_V posted:

John,

A couple of things I would try.

First, have you tried to disable the security altogether and see if it will connect?

Second, I seem to remember having a printer or something that was fussy about the type of encryption for WPA2.  I typically set mine to TKIP/AES but you may have some luck trying all 3 settings in there.

Finally this is a very rudimentary suggestion but you don't have any MAC filtering enabled do you?  

It sure seems weird it would work as an AP but not connect to the home network.

Tony

Well... disabling all my network security seems to be a generally bad idea.  If that's what it takes to connect the WiFi unit, something is seriously wrong!  First off, the whole point of WPS is to connect with security to the router, hence the name Wifi Protected Setup.  Also, WPS only works if you have WPA.

WPS stands for Wi-Fi Protected Setup and it is a wireless networking standard that tries to make connections between a router and wireless devices faster and easier. It works only for wireless networks that have WPA Personal or WPA2 Personal security.

No MAC filtering enabled.

gunrunnerjohn posted:

Tony_V posted:

John,

A couple of things I would try.

First, have you tried to disable the security altogether and see if it will connect?

Second, I seem to remember having a printer or something that was fussy about the type of encryption for WPA2.  I typically set mine to TKIP/AES but you may have some luck trying all 3 settings in there.

Finally this is a very rudimentary suggestion but you don't have any MAC filtering enabled do you?  

It sure seems weird it would work as an AP but not connect to the home network.

Tony

Well... disabling all my network security seems to be a generally bad idea.  If that's what it takes to connect the WiFi unit, something is seriously wrong!  First off, the whole point of WPS is to connect with security to the router, hence the name Wifi Protected Setup.  Also, WPS only works if you have WPA.

WPS stands for Wi-Fi Protected Setup and it is a wireless networking standard that tries to make connections between a router and wireless devices faster and easier. It works only for wireless networks that have WPA Personal or WPA2 Personal security.

No MAC filtering enabled.

Tony,

It's also not possible to connect the LCS WiFi without using WPS.  The only option for connection is to press a WPS Enable button. 

Ahh, yes the site survey function is not a part of the OEM ASUS firmware.  I am running a 3rd party firmware from Merlin. (https://asuswrt.lostrealm.ca/) It is based on the the OEM firmware from ASUS but adds more features and user "wants", one of which is the Site Survey function.

Your model is supported if you want to try it out, and gong back to the OEM ASUS firmware is just as easy as putting on the MERLIN firmware. You shouldn't lose any previously saved data or settings, but always make a backup just in case.

My whole thought process here is can the ASUS router see the LCS when the LCS is operating in AP mode. If not, maybe something can be adjusted on the router to see it.

H1000

3rd part firmware, a little pearl of information you failed to mention.

After looking at the documentation for Merlin, I may try that.  It does appear that I'm getting some action from the WPS try, but just no connection.  They have some additional settings that might have an effect.

gunrunnerjohn posted:

Tony_V posted:

John,

A couple of things I would try.

First, have you tried to disable the security altogether and see if it will connect?

Second, I seem to remember having a printer or something that was fussy about the type of encryption for WPA2.  I typically set mine to TKIP/AES but you may have some luck trying all 3 settings in there.

Finally this is a very rudimentary suggestion but you don't have any MAC filtering enabled do you?  

It sure seems weird it would work as an AP but not connect to the home network.

Tony

Well... disabling all my network security seems to be a generally bad idea.  If that's what it takes to connect the WiFi unit, something is seriously wrong!  First off, the whole point of WPS is to connect with security to the router, hence the name Wifi Protected Setup.  Also, WPS only works if you have WPA.

WPS stands for Wi-Fi Protected Setup and it is a wireless networking standard that tries to make connections between a router and wireless devices faster and easier. It works only for wireless networks that have WPA Personal or WPA2 Personal security.

No MAC filtering enabled.

I only recommend disabling the security for troubleshooting.  It just eliminates it as a potential issue.  However I wasn't aware that WPS requires WPA or WPA2 security (I don't use WPS often).  That kind of eliminates that as something you can try.  I would try the different encryption methods though.

Another thought is your wireless password.  Make it basic, a capital letter or 2 and a couple of numbers.  No special characters.  I have seen issues with some special characters.

Tony

WPS negotiates it's own passwords, your configured password has no effect on what the WPS conversation is.

gunrunnerjohn posted:

3rd part firmware, a little pearl of information you failed to mention.

Sorry, my bad.

I do like the Merlin firmware because it is based on & operates as close to OEM as possible and gives you a lot of extras that are just nice to have.

Have you tried connecting without a live internet connection?

Thats a stab in the dark - but something I might try in trouble shooting.

Hi John
First of all let me say " I feel your pain". I worked on computers and
networks for 30 years and when something that seems SO simple doesn't
work, aggravation sets in. I don't have the same scenario that you have but
something we use to do years ago was "share and compare" like "stare and compare"
See if you can borrow a know good LCS that is working with WPS, and plug it into your
configuration. If you can connect to that, than your origional unit is defective.
May be have the guys at Lionel fix or replace it.
Good luck!

Joe

gunrunnerjohn posted:

The WiFi does not appear in any fashion in the router's lists.  No DHCP table entry for the WiFi.

I see this in the log, when I try to connect using WPS.  It goes through and obviously initially sees the WPS request.

May  4 19:52:22 rc_service: httpd 301:notify_rc start_wps_method
May  4 19:52:49 rc_service: watchdog 307:notify_rc stop_wps_method

It also thinks the connection was a success, from the WPS page.

However, when looking in the DHCP table, no connection for the WiFi, and obviously trace of it in the list of connected wireless devices.

Since WPS on this router works for every other WPS device I've tried, including the MTH WiFi unit, I have to conclude the problem is not on my end.

Have you tried pushing that Reset button?

Anywho, the problems you are facing is one of the biggest reasons I'm going to pass on the WiFi modules.  Even my Nest products allow me to manually configure their wireless information.  I think that's what Lionel should of done.  The unit will create it's own network you log into with the app, then use the app to configure the device then when you hit apply, it switches over to those settings.

sinclair posted:

Anywho, the problems you are facing is one of the biggest reasons I'm going to pass on the WiFi modules. 

I hope you don't assume that the MTH WIU module is subject to the problem GRJ is having with the LCS. The WIU has a web interface page that allows you to customize the Wireless settings and connections. Not to mention it also has a wired Ethernet port for the upmost reliable connection to a computer or home router. Plug it in to a laptop via a CAT 5 cable and configure it without fuss.

JoeTheBro posted:

See if you can borrow a know good LCS that is working with WPS, and plug it into your
configuration. If you can connect to that, than your origional unit is defective.

Funny thing, that's my inclination.  I'm going to see if I can borrow one from the store and test to see if it'll connect.

gunrunnerjohn posted:

JoeTheBro posted:

See if you can borrow a know good LCS that is working with WPS, and plug it into your
configuration. If you can connect to that, than your origional unit is defective.

Funny thing, that's my inclination.  I'm going to see if I can borrow one from the store and test to see if it'll connect.

Sounds like the only thing you haven't ruled out.

I'm beginning to think something got corrupted in the WiFi unit and I can't clear it out.  It appears to start the handshake with the router and then the connection just dies.

I have no issues with the LCS WiFi connecting to my Netgear wireless router.  I the past, I installed Asus wireless access points and found them to be a bit quirky in WPA connections with some gear.  But since you can't connect to your Motorola router either, I would suspect the LCS WiFi to be the problem component.  Wish Lionel has added an Ethernet port for the "Infrastructure" option.

I have tried three different routers, none of them can get the LCS WiFi to connect.  It appears to be negotiating a connection, then just drops off with no connection.

I remember some broken in the box wifi units. I don't remember the issue though. Could be...

John, did you get to the bottom of this LCS WiFi problem. Was it a bad(defective) unit?  TW

Nope, or at least now I have two broken ones.  Rudy arranged for them to send me a replacement, and it doesn't connect either.  I tried to connect it to the Asus router, the Verizon router, and even a D-Link that I have in the closet.  The phones, and the MTH WiFi connect to all of them without a whimper, the Lionel LCS WiFi, deaf, dumb, mute!

I'm going to send one back, but I guess I'm just destined to be without a network connection for the Lionel LCS.  FWIW, we couldn't get the one at the club to connect to the Verizon router either.  I'm pretty disappointed that Lionel relied only on WPS automatic mode and doesn't have any fallback position.  If it were just one router, I'd say it was probably an issue here, but three that will connect to everything but the LCS WiFi stops being a router issue and starts being a LCS WiFi issue IMO.  I even bit the bullet and loaded some 3rd party firmware on my Asus router that supposedly fixes some wireless issues, but the LCS WiFi still has the same issue.

"I'm going to send one back, but I guess I'm just destined to be without a network connection for the Lionel LCS.  FWIW, we couldn't get the one at the club to connect to the Verizon router either.  I'm pretty disappointed that Lionel relied only on WPS automatic mode and doesn't have any fallback position.  If it were just one router, I'd say it was probably an issue here, but three that will connect to everything but the LCS WiFi stops being a router issue and starts being a LCS WiFi issue IMO.  I even bit the bullet and loaded some 3rd party firmware on my Asus router that supposedly fixes some wireless issues, but the LCS WiFi still has the same issue."

Have you contacted Jon at Lionel?  Worth a call Tuesday morning day after the holiday).  Good luck.

rthomps posted:

Have you contacted Jon at Lionel?  Worth a call Tuesday morning day after the holiday).  Good luck.

John is talking with Rudy now.  Hopefully Rudy and Jon talk about these issues at their staff meetings.

This is so weird. I have yet to have one not connect to a router. I do use a standalone router not connected to the internet but it combines several devices including the DCS WIU, Apple TV, and LCS Modules. I know of at least 3 other setups similar to this. 

I hope John and Rudy can work this out. 

Marty, I can't imagine what I'd be doing wrong, connecting to WPS is not exactly rocket science, push one button, push the other button, wait for a connection.  I've checked and rechecked my router settings, and given that I've tried three different routers, it doesn't seem to be a individual router issue.  A site survey shows up the LCS in bold print when in AP mode, and the router "appears" to react to the WPS connection, but then it just disappears in the status.  The Verizon Actiontec M424WR reacts similarly, the WPS seems to be recognized, but there's no hint of a connection when you go check status.

gunrunnerjohn posted:

Marty, I can't imagine what I'd be doing wrong, connecting to WPS is not exactly rocket science, push one button, push the other button, wait for a connection.  I've checked and rechecked my router settings, and given that I've tried three different routers, it doesn't seem to be a individual router issue.  A site survey shows up the LCS in bold print when in AP mode, and the router "appears" to react to the WPS connection, but then it just disappears in the status.  The Verizon Actiontec M424WR reacts similarly, the WPS seems to be recognized, but there's no hint of a connection when you go check status.

 

I do believe it's an "all routers are not alike" issue. I use a basic Netgear router. You've seen it on the Lug Demo setup. I gotta believe given your knowledge that you've covered all the basis. It would've been handy to have a nic on these as well as a web interface page to help in these issues. 

I must admit, the path of least resistance it to buy yet another router, but that's somewhat of a problem.  I specifically bought this router as it offers both bands and multiple SSID's for guest and private networks.  This is a requirement for me as my grandson is a tiny bit careless in where he goes on the Internet, and I don't want his mistakes to take out my data!   I get to repair his machine on a regular basis.  It's easy to delouse or restore his machine, not so easy to rebuild my whole network.

WPS "should" work on any router so equipped, and the fact that it doesn't work on multiple brands here seems to indicate something is missing in the implementation in the WiFi unit.  If all the other WPS devices didn't connected seamlessly, I'd be more inclined to blame my environment.

GUNRUNNERJOHN.... I am not well versed in routers and so on but I had a thought when you first were able to connect the lcs using wps did the router possibly have been on an older software version?

just thinking sorry for your issues and like a few others ill stick to command base/remote and or transformer running and even that can irritate ones happy place.

will be waiting to see what lionels thoughts on this is as to what the issue is and the cure.

It was when I first got the WiFi unit, but even then I couldn't get a reliable connection.  I did have it working, but the next time I turned on the WiFi unit, it wouldn't connect and I'd have to do the WPS connection sequence again.

As we have all experienced there is more than a little black magic to wi-fi.  Usually environmental peculiarities or signal distribution variables, one assumes. Apparently there is a move towards a more advanced approach, "mesh networking" that solves some of these problems.  Needless to say it's a bit more expensive.

https://www.nytimes.com/2017/0...-vs-router.html?_r=1

I'm afraid a mesh network has nothing to do with this issue.

TedW posted:

At the risk of thread jack, my router, Arris(Motorola) SBG6782-AC won't maintain a connection with any wifi printer. The router is located in a kitchen alcove surrounded by quartz counter, oak panels and a fridge behind an Imac(metal case). All my other handheld wireless devices(8 total) connect with no issues. Can't relocate to open position because the "Board" won't approve. Any thing similar to your situation?  Ted

Ted, can you put it on top on the cabinet?  The wifi signal will propagate better higher up and not surrounded by obstacles.  It may seem inconvenient but, once you set it up you rarely need to go back to it.

A little add-on for this issue.  I just upgraded my FiOS service, and part of the upgrade is a brand-new shiny router, the FiOS G1100 Gateway.

WOW I thought, here's a brand new router that is of the latest design and firmware, surely it'll connect using WPS!  Guess what!  It does!   Finally, it works like it should after only trying four routers!   The LCS finally shows up on the network!

Of course, not everything came up roses, now the MTH WiFi adapter won't connect!

Well, I guess you still have one system working at least. You think you will be able to get the MTH WiFi going again? Hope you can get that going again without too much difficulty.

You also now have me thinking about my setup. We switched to Google, they provided a router, and I have yet to attempt a connection with my MTH WiFi unit. I have still been using the remote, but I have now purchased the new Deluxe app and I've been wanting to try it out so the TIU/Remote upgrade is at the top of the to do list. I may be in the same boat soon.

We had Time Warner (now Spectrum, I think?) before and everything just connected right up with no problems. Fortunately the MTH WiFi is all I have, no LCS, at least not yet anyway.

I think I have to reset the MTH WiFi unit and start over, it was connected to the old router, that's probably part of the problem.  That one has a "manual" connection option, so I think I'll probably not have a big issue getting it working.

Here's to hoping you are correct and it is no big issue!! Hope you are successful with minimal to no problems. I may finally get around to trying it next week.

It does seem pretty odd that you had so many problems with the LCS WiFi and with an assortment of routers as well. Stranger things have happened I guess, another unsolved mystery.

As another unsolved mystery, I had a Linksys router years ago, had everything setup with static IP addresses. One day all the addresses got rearranged and I could no longer get the static addresses to stick. Finally, before pulling out my last hair, I got a new router and all was well again. No idea what happened there either?? Sometimes there is nothing like a 'large hammer' for some of these things! 

Id rather have the LCS working if I had to pick one

@Wanderer posted:

Tony,

It's also not possible to connect the LCS WiFi without using WPS.  The only option for connection is to press a WPS Enable button. 

I know this is a very old topic and I'm sure GRJ has overcome his problem with WPS connection of the LCS WiFI.  The statement above though regarding "only option for connection" is WPS is incorrect.  The free from Lionel LCS Wifi Monitor has a section that allows traditional connection to a wifi SSID and you enter the password as you would in connecting a standard PC to wifi.  I came across this when I watched the video link below.  Just wanted to pass along some discoveries...

LCS WiFi Monitor LE - Software Demonstration - YouTube

Correct, I got the LCS WiFi Monitor soon after my previous comments, makes all the difference in the world.  Why Lionel didn't offer that option in the first place is a total mystery!

So rather than start a new topic I thought I'd ask here...

I have my LCS WiFi joined to my home network.  Used the LCS monitor and it connected fine.  Viewing the router page it says it's "online" but my LCS iPad app and iCab randomly disconnect.  Anyone else experience this.  My LCS module is probably less than 20' from the router upstairs.  The LCS module is an early Beta version from Lion so I am getting a new one just to test but thought I'd ask here.  I used the LCS monitor to change channels with no difference.

Well, when you're connecting through the network, the iPad and iPhone would be connecting through the router, so do they stay connected when doing other functions with them on the network?

@gunrunnerjohn posted:

Well, when you're connecting through the network, the iPad and iPhone would be connecting through the router, so do they stay connected when doing other functions with them on the network?

Yep.  It just seems like the "bridge" between the LCS module and the iDevices loses connection.

Marty-

Attached is my cheat sheet for joining LCS WiFi connecting to existing network.  It also includes instructions for reserving an IP address through my router (Apple Airport Extreme).  The IP reservation process is specific to the router brand you have.  Hope this helps!

Tim

Marty, I used to have the problems you mentioned but since following GRJ's advice I have had a rock solid/predictable connection to my home network.  I hope you have the same luck that I did.

Wow, what a saga! My layout is in the garage and my home network is a Netgear Orbi mesh setup. I had to keep my LCS WiFi module in AP mode until I purchased another Orbi node to put in the garage. The signal (through a bunch of walls, etc) to the nearest node from the garage was too weak for the LCS WiFi module to maintain a good connection. Doesn't seem like this was John's issue, but thought I'd share anyway

Glad you finally got it working, @gunrunnerjohn! I agree it's much nicer to have LCS WiFi connected to your home network

@MartyE posted:

Yep.  It just seems like the "bridge" between the LCS module and the iDevices loses connection.

That's truly odd, I can't imagine what is going on there.  Do you have any issues using the LCS through the WiFi or just the Apple devices?

I had an issue with a Linksys wifi not hooking up a security camera. I read somewhere that there could be an issue with the wifi trying to put the camera on 5 GHz instead of 2.4 GHz. Anybody know about that?

There are different WiFi standards that use different WiFi Frequencies. All your equipment must be able and configured to operate on the same frequency band (ie. a 2.4GHz device can't talk to a 5GHz device). The LCS WiFi Users Guide is very lacking on any of the WiFi specifics, but it seems that it operates only with 2.4GHz frequency bands with WPS security. Generally speaking, a good number of current WiFi devices on the market support both 2.4GHz and 5GHz modes (even at the same time!). However, I have found many non-technical users assume 5GHz is bigger number and therefore better, unknowingly disable the 2.4GHz band and then get stymied when their older WiFi printer no longer connects (as it only operates on 2.4GHz) or other devises have not been re-configured for 5Ghz communications.

It all essentially loosely boils down to trying to use an AM radio to to communicate with a new-fangled FM broadcast. If supported, you can switch your AM radio over to FM, or get a new radio that has an FM mode.

_{Note: WiFi is technologically large topic and there are many many nuances and the above is a nonspecific simplification.}

Yes, I do understand the difference in frequencies, but the issue I was sharing was something about the wifi unit pushing devices to 5 GHz when the device is 2.4 GHz causing an issue…and there’s some button on the wifi app that can turn this feature off.

@bmoran4 posted:

There are different WiFi standards that use different WiFi Frequencies. All your equipment must be able and configured to operate on the same frequency band (ie. a 2.4GHz device can't talk to a 5GHz device).

Not in this scenario, we're talking about connecting the LCS WiFi to the network (aka, your router).  The only device that has any restrictions is the router, it must be able to talk on any band that any connected device is on.   There is no problem at all with the LCS WiFi talking through the router on the 2.4ghz band and the connected devices communicating on any type link.  My iPad connects only on the 5ghz band, and so does my laptop.  My main computer connects via a gigabit Ethernet cable to the router.  All of these devices communicate flawlessly with the LCS WiFi.

In practice the router access point does not push a frequency specification to the client. In fact, the The client specifies which band it can use. I have seen instances where dual band clients and dual band routers sometimes settle for a band that actually provides worse performance than due to the different propagation characteristics of the different frequencies but again we're getting real technical here and beyond the scope of the post even tangentially.

@gunrunnerjohn, we are saying the same thing from different perspectives. Your LCS Wi-Fi device connects its radio only to the router (in the home network scenario). As such they must be on compatible frequency bands. Your iPad also only uses its radio to talk to the router and must also be on a frequency band that matches. And on the instance you describe, the router is dual band and can speak on both 2.4 and 5 GHz.  In this scenario, the iPod radio never communicates directly with the LCS Wi-Fi radio.

Correct Bob, it just wasn't clear from your post what you were trying to say, at least to me.  I wanted to clarify the scenario we're dealing with. FWIW, I haven't seen a dual band router in years that won't freely connect to clients on all the supported bands and protocols.