Access Point questions.

[de8212]

I have my main router and I have a second router that I use as an Access Point (Netgear N900. ). Been doing this for years. I'm having some weird issues with the AP so I unplugged it from my network and just connected a laptop to it and updated the firmware. Now I can't log in to the normal interface. So, if I wanted to change the network password or whatever, I can't.
Not sure it was necessary since I knew I'd put it in AP mode but I typically always do the same. I go in and change the default username and password, change the IP address, turn off dhcp, set my wifi passwords. Did all that and could still log into it with the laptop. Went to change it to AP mode and after a few minutes it kicked me out and that was it. Can't ping it, nothing. BUt it is working and I can connect to wifi.

So, unless something changed in the latest firmware, I am 100% certain this is abnormal behavior. .

Anyone have any tips?

 

[VirtualLarry]

The only suggestion that I have, is to factory reset it - the NVRAM values may be inconsistent and need to be re-set.

Barring that, possibly flash the firmware back. Does that router offer a recovery mode (either browser-based, or TFTP)? I know that my Netgear WNR2000v2 routers have a TFTP recovery mode in them.

When you disconnected the device, configured in AP mode, did you do a configuration reset inside the firmware, or a factory reset using a recessed RESET button on the back, before flashing the firmware? That's always a really good idea. Then follow up with same, after installing new firmware, just to get all settings at baseline with the new firmware.

Then re-configure as AP mode, set passwords, etc., not necessarily in that order.

 

[de8212]

Thanks Larry

I managed to find some stuff on google that helped me out. But to answer your question I did do a factory reset using the reset button before I flashed the new firmware. I did not afterwards. Maybe I'll try that next time.

I logged onto my main router and looked the the Client List and it showed the AP as a different IP address as the one I set. Now, this may not be anything new to you folks around here but I am 100% certain when I set it up in the past, the IP address I use is the same one I log into it with when I'm on my main PC. I have all my static IP addresses bookmarked in Chrome (main router, tivos, Printers, etc). So, maybe something in the newer firmware caused this. I don't know.

Either way, it's working now.

I noticed when I was straight wired into it with my laptop and after I got it back up on my actual network that it's very slow to respond while I am in the configuration. I'm thinking a new router is in my future.

 

[JackMDS]

. I'm thinking a new router is in my future.

Yeah Good idea, to begin with the N900 was nothing to write home about. Its current value is less than $20.