Setting up homekit with a wireless access point

Question

Level 1

8 points

Setting up homekit with a wireless access point

I live in a two story house. We have a router on the main floor and a wireless access point upstairs.

I recently set up a smart light switch on the main floor and it is connected to the router. When I am on the main floor, my iPhone is connected to the router and I can manage the light switch through homekit. However, when I am upstairs, my phone automatically connects to the access point and the status of the light switch changes to "no response ".

I am assuming that this is because when I am upstairs, I am on a different network than the light switch. Is there a way I can set up homekit or my wireless access point so I can seamlessly use homekit to manage the light switch no matter where I am in my house?

Posted on Nov 17, 2017 12:55 AM

Reply

Answer 1

Nov 17, 2017 7:54 AM in response to MrSandhar

Hi. Are you actually on a different network when connected to the AP?. Is the second-last number (xxx) in the IP address (*.*.xxx.yyy) different? If it is, you should change the configuration of the AP to be a pure AP, with all DHCP being managed by the main router. This assumes that your AP is connected by ethernet cable to the router.

Reply

Answer 2

MrSandhar Author

Level 1

8 points

Nov 17, 2017 11:15 AM in response to Diana.McCall

Hi Diana, my AP is connected by ethernet cable to the router.Yes, I am on a different network when connected to the AP. When I check wifi settings in my iPhone, there are different IP addresses when I am connected to the router and AP. Additionally, if I turn off the AP my iPhone connects to the router and I can manage my smart light switch perfectly, no matter where I am in the house.

I am using a D-Link DAP 1650 range extender, configured as an access point. How can I change it so all DHCP are being managed by the main router?

Reply

Answer 3

MrSandhar Author

Level 1

8 points

Nov 17, 2017 2:05 PM in response to Diana.McCall

I seem to have found the root of the issue. My internet provider has installed a modem/router which has an ip address of 192.168.1.254. However, I do not use this as a router and have installed my own router that has an ip address of 192.168.0.1.

I have now set up the access point as a bridge, disabled DHCP and given it the static ip address of 192.168.0.2. However, in my iPhone's wifi settings, the router ip address is 192.168.1.254 (of my isp's modem/router).

I think I will have to set up both my router and access point as bridges and give them static ip address of 192.168.1.1 and 192.168.1.2. Does that seem correct?

Thanks.

Reply

Answer 4

MrSandhar Author

Level 1

8 points

Nov 17, 2017 11:25 AM in response to Diana.McCall

I just checked my AP setup and the IPv4 mode to be used by the access point is set up to DHCP. I am not sure if this is what you meant.

Reply

Answer 5

Nov 17, 2017 11:56 AM in response to MrSandhar

Yes. You need to turn off the DHCP server on the AP. That might be called "bridge mode". Take a look in the manual, as well as the settings.

Reply

Answer 6

MrSandhar Author

Level 1

8 points

Nov 17, 2017 3:36 PM in response to MrSandhar

SOLVED: I ended up turning off my router and using the router provided by the ISP. Now the IP addresses on the router and access point match and I can seamlessly use home kit throughout my house.

Reply