topic Re: connection issues on wifi extender using old router in My Router

connection issues on wifi extender using old router

raj-18 — Mon, 20 Nov 2023 21:07:55 GMT

I am trying to use an old plusnet Hub One router to boost/extend wifi signal as described in the link

https://community.plus.net/t5/My-Router/Using-a-2nd-Plusnet-Hub1-as-a-Wireless-Access-point/m-p/1385192#M1845

I have factory reset (using a pin in the reset slot for 20+ seconds). I connected my laptop's ethernet port to the LAN yellow port on the old router with a CAT 6 ethernet cable. The old router is stand alone with no connection to anyother device except the laptop. The old router is also *not* connected to any network. Unfortunately when I open any browser and attempt to navigate to the routers IP address 192.168.1.254, I get error "Unable to connect" on Firefox or error "Safari can't open the page" with Safari. Ping and traceroute too fail on that address.

Appreciate any advice towards resolving above.

Re: connection issues on wifi extender using old router

Baldrick1 — Mon, 20 Nov 2023 22:01:56 GMT

Does your laptop also have a wireless connection to your main router? If so then this will be your problem, switch off your main router whilst you configure your access point.

Moderator's note:
Post moved from Broadband to My Router.

Re: connection issues on wifi extender using old router

raj-18 — Mon, 20 Nov 2023 22:20:08 GMT

Thank you Baldrick1 for the reply. The laptop too had no wifi connection or any other connection except to the said old hub one router while the configuration of the router was attempted.

Re: connection issues on wifi extender using old router

Baldrick1 — Tue, 21 Nov 2023 10:07:58 GMT

@raj-18

Assuming that it is a Windows PC, try opening a command prompt as an Administrator and entering:

ipconfig /release

ipconfig /renew

See if that fixes it.

Re: connection issues on wifi extender using old router

raj-18 — Tue, 21 Nov 2023 12:06:04 GMT

@Baldrick1

I have a Macbook Pro. Tried Windows equivalent IPCONFIG command in a Terminal Window with the commands

sudo ipconfig set en0 BOOTP
sudo ipconfig set en0 DHCP

Above didn't fix it.

Re: connection issues on wifi extender using old router

Dan_the_Van — Wed, 22 Nov 2023 07:55:53 GMT

@raj-18

To reset a Hub One you hold the pin in until the led turns off and then come back on as green and then you remove the pin.

After a successful factory reset and reboot the lights will be orange with a flashing 'b'. Is the Hub in this state?

Clicking this link http://192.168.1.254 will take you to the home page.

Regarding you mac are you able to confirm what the IP address is? if it the first DCHP device it will have an IP address of 192.168.1.64. If the IP Address start 169.xxx.xxx.xxx, then it is either not connected to the hub or the hub's DHCP server is not working. A reboot of the mac will also result in a DHCP request.

With the hub work as a wireless access point, it needs a permeant wired connection, the light will be orange and with a flashing 'b', these can not be turned off just dimmed. It is possible with care to peal the plastic film covering the flashing 'b' cover it with some dark tape and stick back the plastic film.

Come back if you need further assistance.

Dan.

Re: connection issues on wifi extender using old router

raj-18 — Thu, 23 Nov 2023 15:26:35 GMT

@Dan_the_Van

Many thanks for your reply and your guidance.

I did the following to resolve the issue on the basis of your advice and the preceeding ones from @Baldrick1 .

I had already factory reset the router as suggested. Nevertheless I did it again. Next checked the IP router of the Macbook that had Wifi turned off on reboot and was connected to the router through an ethernet cable in the lighting port of the Macbook and in the yellow LAN port of the router. The IP address of the was 192.168.1.213 as shown in Terminal Window with the ifconfig command under en4:. I got the same IP address again after I rebooted the Macbook.
I thus reset IP address in Terminal window with
sudo ipconfig set en4 BOOTP 

sudo ipconfig set en4 DHCP
The ifconfig command now showed the Macbook's IP address to be 192.168.1.64.
Opening the Firefox browser and navigating to 192.168.1.254 showed the familiar Plusnet fault page.
I then continued with the procedure that led me to seeking this help:

https://community.plus.net/t5/My-Router/Using-a-2nd-Plusnet-Hub1-as-a-Wireless-Access-point/m-p/1385192#M1845

Many thanks @Dan_the_Van and @Baldrick1 for all your help.

Raj