My home setup uses a modem/router with wifi and two additional wifi access points. I recently setup homekit on my iPad (as the hub) but have found that it only works when the iPad is connected to either of the access points, but not when connected to the router. The network is setup as one network with a common a SSID.
Anyone with ideas as to why?
iPad Air Wi-Fi
Thanks for the reply. One of the AP's uses a wired connection, the other is via a Ethernet over Power system. The router and EoP access point are both Netcomm (router NB9WMAXX and AP NP206) , the other AP is an unbranded unit (disconnected this unit from the system but the problem remained).
All devices roam seamlessly within the existing network as far as I can determine (iPhones, iPads and PC's).
The device I'm trying to connect to is a Raspberry Pi running homebridge which is (rather frustratingly) plugged into the offending Router. As you alluded to, I suspect there is an issue router config but not sure what what I should be looking for?
Are your additional APs connected to your home router directly via an Ethernet (wired) connection - or wirelessly? Are they the router and additional APs the same brand/manufacturer?
Lots of factors can influence the way that devices inter-operate. Without more insight into your network architecture, it is difficult to provide any definitive advice. Common issues are caused by the network switch dropping certain packets - or not forwarding broadcast packets to all ports.
Your comment regarding a common SSID suggests that you expect devices to seamlessly roam between your APs and WFi router. Roaming often requires specific protocol support for reliable operation.
Due to the mixed vendor environment - and mix of wired and wireless connections - you would likely require a protocol analyser to determine what data packets/protocols are being dropped (and where). This isn’t, necessarily, a simple process. Domestic network kit (in particular your “unbranded” AP) may not have sufficient configuration control to work through this problem.
You could try sending network pings from the console of your R-Pi to your central router and APs; this might temporarily clear any ARP-related problems.
So as to avoid problems of this nature, it is often simpler to connect all devices that provide common services at a central point in your network - such as the network switch-ports on your ISP-provided router, or the AP connected to it via the wired connection. This can often resolve immediate issues with ARP and other broadcast packets.
Hope this provides you with some rudimentary guidance - but, with respect, I believe this issue might be beyond your ability to work through the necessary network diagnostics.
Best of luck.
LP.
Homekit working with access points but not router
