topic Re: Will a new modem require reconfiguration of WAP's? in RUCKUS Support for Lennar Homes

Will a new modem require reconfiguration of WAP's?

david_austin_k6 — Thu, 23 Apr 2020 14:42:43 GMT

I have a Lennar smart home that came with three Ruckus ZoneFlex R510 WAP's and a Brocade ICX 7150-C12P switch. Amazon, whom Lennar contracted with to final install/setup all of this provides absolutely no support beyond the initial 90 days after install; i am about 26 months post-install.

I know just enough about this stuff to screw it all up. I have an old (~8 years) Cisco cable modem and a fairly new Linksys router. I have been having issues with extremely slow broadband and my cable company (Cox) is telling me that my modem is going bad and I need to replace it. Their option for modem will not fit in a smart panel, so I am looking at an Arris SURFoard SBG8300 modem/router combo.

I know that the slow speeds are probably attributed mostly to the Covid-19 BS and everyone is home using their service, slowing it down for everyone. Having said that, it probably wouldn't be bad to upgrade my modem anyway.

Would I just be able to connect everything, use the same SSID and passwords and have everything work? Is my ignorance making you guys laugh? Haha. Any input would be appreciated.

Re: Will a new modem require reconfiguration of WAP's?

simon_pollard — Thu, 23 Apr 2020 14:59:14 GMT

Hi David

So long as the new router is configured to match your old Cisco unit you will be fine, the SSIDs and everything else will work fine.

I think your assessment of why your broadband is slow is probably correct, It's difficult to believe that a router is "going bad" and causing performance issues, these things either work or they don't. But if you're on lockdown then a project is probably what you need right now so an upgrade won't hurt.

Re: Will a new modem require reconfiguration of WAP's?

david_austin_k6 — Thu, 23 Apr 2020 15:08:42 GMT

They said I had too high of a percentage of packet loss during ping tests, and that my modem was the cause.

So, if I am understanding you correctly, I can get the new Arris modem/router combo, install it in the smart panel and make the SSID's and passwords the same, and everything will work? Thank you for your response.

Re: Will a new modem require reconfiguration of WAP's?

diego_garcia_de — Thu, 23 Apr 2020 15:11:22 GMT

IT should work "as-is" as long as you configure your new cable modem in bridge mode (I asume the current one is in bridge mode). Was the linskys router part of the original build? If you connect to the router, do you see if getting a public IP on its WAN interface (not 192.168.x.x / 172.(16-31).x.x / 10.x.x.x.x) ? You might be able to collapse the router and cablemodem into a single device (by using the new cablemodem in routed mode) but make sure you disable the modem's built in wifi.

I don't know the specific details on what lennar was installing... but do you see more than one SSID (wifi network) or just a single one? I asume you have the credentals for the router? or the zone director?

Re: Will a new modem require reconfiguration of WAP's?

simon_pollard — Thu, 23 Apr 2020 15:18:24 GMT

Packet loss during a ping test could be caused by lots of things, including severe network congestion.

The SSIDs are configured on the Ruckus access points so these won't be affected by the router change.

Re: Will a new modem require reconfiguration of WAP's?

syamantakomer — Thu, 23 Apr 2020 15:21:55 GMT

Hi David,

Your existing Ruckus Unleashed wireless configuration will remain same because what you are going to do is just replacing the modem.

As long as ICX switch is getting internet connectivity from your new router, it will still provide the connectivity to Unleashed APs and APs will also still broadcast same SSIDs with same configuration (name and password).

Sharing a basic topology of your current setup would help here.

Regards,
Syamantak Omer

Re: Will a new modem require reconfiguration of WAP's?

david_austin_k6 — Thu, 23 Apr 2020 15:24:58 GMT

I have all the credentials for the router and and Ruckus devices. The Linksys router was not part of the original build; I brought it from my old house as it was new and Amazon installed it when they set everything up.

I logged into the router and the only IP addresses I see are the 192.168.x.x and a range of them for a total of 55 users, so I don't know about a public IP.

Re: Will a new modem require reconfiguration of WAP's?

david_austin_k6 — Thu, 23 Apr 2020 15:30:55 GMT

Thank you for your reply.

I have a Cisco cable modem linked to my Linksys router, which is then connected to the ICX switch, which then goes out to the three WAP's. Is that what you were saying would help here?

Re: Will a new modem require reconfiguration of WAP's?

diego_garcia_de — Thu, 23 Apr 2020 15:35:52 GMT

Are you able to access the webpage of the modem itself? Try browsing to 192.168.100.1 (most cablemodems will open a webpage at this address even if in bridge mode). You can see the signal levels in the status page usually.. but I agree that's very rarely the cablemodem going bad "gradually". At least you can check your signal levels there and it could be as simple as replacing an old coax splitter for example (or if there is a power amplifier it could very much be that).

Re: Will a new modem require reconfiguration of WAP's?

syamantakomer — Thu, 23 Apr 2020 15:48:06 GMT

Hi David,

Yes, this is what I wanted to know.

CISCO cable modem >> Linksys router >> ICX switch >> APs ) ) ) SSIDs

If I am understanding it correctly, then you are just replacing CISCO cable modem. If yes, then make sure you know how cable modem is configured and how it is passing traffic to Linksys router.

It is also worth checking where is the DHCP server configured, if it is on Linksys router or on ICX switch.

If DHCP server is configured on Linksys router or on ICX switch, then all you need to do is, configure new modem and pass the connectivity to Linksys.

There is another possible way to reduce count of devices in this topology but that needs configuration on ICX switch which may not easy or may break your already running setup. But I am just sharing my thoughts.

You can skip Linksys router from this topology and may feed the network connection from new cable modem directly to ICX and configure ICX to handle routing/DHCP/VLANs. Now new topology will look like below.

New cable modem >> ICX switch (acting as router/DHCP + switch) >> APs ) ) ) SSIDs

Regards,
Syamantak Omer

Re: Will a new modem require reconfiguration of WAP's?

david_austin_k6 — Thu, 23 Apr 2020 15:58:03 GMT

What should the levels be? My down shows between 3.7 to 4.4 dBmv over the eight channels with SNR of 39.7 to 40.1 dB. Up shows 43.2 on all channels but one, which is 43.0.

Re: Will a new modem require reconfiguration of WAP's?

david_austin_k6 — Thu, 23 Apr 2020 16:05:34 GMT

Thank you for your help. My DHCP server shows at the IP address for my router, so I am assuming it's configured on the router. I could be wrong, as this is all foreign to me! Ha

Re: Will a new modem require reconfiguration of WAP's?

diego_garcia_de — Thu, 23 Apr 2020 16:49:36 GMT

Those levels seem to be ok. Actually quite good for downstream. I'm currently at -8.5dBmV down and 47.2 up

I seriously doubt it's your modem.

If you have a spare port on the modem and connect with your laptop directly to it do you get an IP? What IP? Cause if the modem is in routed mode it should give you an IP and you can maybe get rid of the Linksys to remove one device.

Also, maybe try doing some speedtest / pings late at night to see if it changes with congestion.

Re: Will a new modem require reconfiguration of WAP's?

david_austin_k6 — Thu, 23 Apr 2020 17:00:40 GMT

I think my cable company is just telling me it's my modem to get me off the phone complaining about the slow broadband speeds I'm getting. It's fine right now, but come 6pm, it'll be less than 2mbps. Right now, it's around 100. I pay for 150.

I think I am going to let things be for the time being. Thank you for your help!

Re: Will a new modem require reconfiguration of WAP's?

diego_garcia_de — Thu, 23 Apr 2020 17:02:35 GMT

Wow. 2mbps seems really bad. Indeed it seems they are just trying to get you off their back. But if current speeds are ok it takes some blame off the modem.

Re: Will a new modem require reconfiguration of WAP's?

david_austin_k6 — Thu, 23 Apr 2020 19:12:28 GMT

Speeds are good now. I'm getting 97 down. Network congestion has to be the issue in the evenings.

Re: Will a new modem require reconfiguration of WAP's?

david_austin_k6 — Thu, 23 Apr 2020 20:34:41 GMT

Cox Cable came out to check my line and said my modem is fine and the problem is on their end. They need to send another tech out to fix whatever is broken in the box in the sidewalk. I appreciate all of your help anyway. I've had two issues with this system and this forum helped me immensely both times.

Re: Will a new modem require reconfiguration of WAP's?

mceik — Sat, 14 Jan 2023 00:47:41 GMT

Can you explain HOW the configuration will remain the same in just replacing the modem?? We had to replace our modem and the 2 AP's are no longer recognized, and i can NOT find how to get this corrected.

Sorry to hijack this thread, but I"m scouring all the posts trying to find my same problem, and would appreciate any help!!