JoeTheBro posted:
See if you can borrow a know good LCS that is working with WPS, and plug it into your
configuration. If you can connect to that, than your origional unit is defective.
Funny thing, that's my inclination. I'm going to see if I can borrow one from the store and test to see if it'll connect.
gunrunnerjohn posted:JoeTheBro posted:
See if you can borrow a know good LCS that is working with WPS, and plug it into your
configuration. If you can connect to that, than your origional unit is defective.Funny thing, that's my inclination. I'm going to see if I can borrow one from the store and test to see if it'll connect.
Sounds like the only thing you haven't ruled out.
I'm beginning to think something got corrupted in the WiFi unit and I can't clear it out. It appears to start the handshake with the router and then the connection just dies.
I have no issues with the LCS WiFi connecting to my Netgear wireless router. I the past, I installed Asus wireless access points and found them to be a bit quirky in WPA connections with some gear. But since you can't connect to your Motorola router either, I would suspect the LCS WiFi to be the problem component. Wish Lionel has added an Ethernet port for the "Infrastructure" option.
I have tried three different routers, none of them can get the LCS WiFi to connect. It appears to be negotiating a connection, then just drops off with no connection.
I remember some broken in the box wifi units. I don't remember the issue though. Could be...
John, did you get to the bottom of this LCS WiFi problem. Was it a bad(defective) unit? TW
Nope, or at least now I have two broken ones. Rudy arranged for them to send me a replacement, and it doesn't connect either. I tried to connect it to the Asus router, the Verizon router, and even a D-Link that I have in the closet. The phones, and the MTH WiFi connect to all of them without a whimper, the Lionel LCS WiFi, deaf, dumb, mute! 
I'm going to send one back, but I guess I'm just destined to be without a network connection for the Lionel LCS. FWIW, we couldn't get the one at the club to connect to the Verizon router either. I'm pretty disappointed that Lionel relied only on WPS automatic mode and doesn't have any fallback position. If it were just one router, I'd say it was probably an issue here, but three that will connect to everything but the LCS WiFi stops being a router issue and starts being a LCS WiFi issue IMO. I even bit the bullet and loaded some 3rd party firmware on my Asus router that supposedly fixes some wireless issues, but the LCS WiFi still has the same issue.
"I'm going to send one back, but I guess I'm just destined to be without a network connection for the Lionel LCS. FWIW, we couldn't get the one at the club to connect to the Verizon router either. I'm pretty disappointed that Lionel relied only on WPS automatic mode and doesn't have any fallback position. If it were just one router, I'd say it was probably an issue here, but three that will connect to everything but the LCS WiFi stops being a router issue and starts being a LCS WiFi issue IMO. I even bit the bullet and loaded some 3rd party firmware on my Asus router that supposedly fixes some wireless issues, but the LCS WiFi still has the same issue."
Have you contacted Jon at Lionel? Worth a call Tuesday morning day after the holiday). Good luck.
rthomps posted:Have you contacted Jon at Lionel? Worth a call Tuesday morning day after the holiday). Good luck.
John is talking with Rudy now. Hopefully Rudy and Jon talk about these issues at their staff meetings.
This is so weird. I have yet to have one not connect to a router. I do use a standalone router not connected to the internet but it combines several devices including the DCS WIU, Apple TV, and LCS Modules. I know of at least 3 other setups similar to this.
I hope John and Rudy can work this out.
Marty, I can't imagine what I'd be doing wrong, connecting to WPS is not exactly rocket science, push one button, push the other button, wait for a connection. I've checked and rechecked my router settings, and given that I've tried three different routers, it doesn't seem to be a individual router issue. A site survey shows up the LCS in bold print when in AP mode, and the router "appears" to react to the WPS connection, but then it just disappears in the status. The Verizon Actiontec M424WR reacts similarly, the WPS seems to be recognized, but there's no hint of a connection when you go check status.
gunrunnerjohn posted:Marty, I can't imagine what I'd be doing wrong, connecting to WPS is not exactly rocket science, push one button, push the other button, wait for a connection. I've checked and rechecked my router settings, and given that I've tried three different routers, it doesn't seem to be a individual router issue. A site survey shows up the LCS in bold print when in AP mode, and the router "appears" to react to the WPS connection, but then it just disappears in the status. The Verizon Actiontec M424WR reacts similarly, the WPS seems to be recognized, but there's no hint of a connection when you go check status.
I do believe it's an "all routers are not alike" issue. I use a basic Netgear router. You've seen it on the Lug Demo setup. I gotta believe given your knowledge that you've covered all the basis. It would've been handy to have a nic on these as well as a web interface page to help in these issues.
I must admit, the path of least resistance it to buy yet another router, but that's somewhat of a problem. I specifically bought this router as it offers both bands and multiple SSID's for guest and private networks. This is a requirement for me as my grandson is a tiny bit careless in where he goes on the Internet, and I don't want his mistakes to take out my data! 
I get to repair his machine on a regular basis. It's easy to delouse or restore his machine, not so easy to rebuild my whole network. 
WPS "should" work on any router so equipped, and the fact that it doesn't work on multiple brands here seems to indicate something is missing in the implementation in the WiFi unit. If all the other WPS devices didn't connected seamlessly, I'd be more inclined to blame my environment.
GUNRUNNERJOHN.... I am not well versed in routers and so on but I had a thought when you first were able to connect the lcs using wps did the router possibly have been on an older software version?
just thinking sorry for your issues and like a few others ill stick to command base/remote and or transformer running and even that can irritate ones happy place.
will be waiting to see what lionels thoughts on this is as to what the issue is and the cure.
It was when I first got the WiFi unit, but even then I couldn't get a reliable connection. I did have it working, but the next time I turned on the WiFi unit, it wouldn't connect and I'd have to do the WPS connection sequence again.
As we have all experienced there is more than a little black magic to wi-fi. Usually environmental peculiarities or signal distribution variables, one assumes. Apparently there is a move towards a more advanced approach, "mesh networking" that solves some of these problems. Needless to say it's a bit more expensive. 
I'm afraid a mesh network has nothing to do with this issue. 
TedW posted:At the risk of thread jack, my router, Arris(Motorola) SBG6782-AC won't maintain a connection with any wifi printer. The router is located in a kitchen alcove surrounded by quartz counter, oak panels and a fridge behind an Imac(metal case). All my other handheld wireless devices(8 total) connect with no issues. Can't relocate to open position because the "Board" won't approve. Any thing similar to your situation? Ted
Ted, can you put it on top on the cabinet? The wifi signal will propagate better higher up and not surrounded by obstacles. It may seem inconvenient but, once you set it up you rarely need to go back to it.
A little add-on for this issue. I just upgraded my FiOS service, and part of the upgrade is a brand-new shiny router, the FiOS G1100 Gateway.
WOW I thought, here's a brand new router that is of the latest design and firmware, surely it'll connect using WPS! Guess what! It does! 
Finally, it works like it should after only trying four routers! The LCS finally shows up on the network!
Of course, not everything came up roses, now the MTH WiFi adapter won't connect!
Well, I guess you still have one system working at least. You think you will be able to get the MTH WiFi going again? Hope you can get that going again without too much difficulty.
You also now have me thinking about my setup. We switched to Google, they provided a router, and I have yet to attempt a connection with my MTH WiFi unit. I have still been using the remote, but I have now purchased the new Deluxe app and I've been wanting to try it out so the TIU/Remote upgrade is at the top of the to do list. I may be in the same boat soon.
We had Time Warner (now Spectrum, I think?) before and everything just connected right up with no problems. Fortunately the MTH WiFi is all I have, no LCS, at least not yet anyway.
I think I have to reset the MTH WiFi unit and start over, it was connected to the old router, that's probably part of the problem. That one has a "manual" connection option, so I think I'll probably not have a big issue getting it working.
Here's to hoping you are correct and it is no big issue!! Hope you are successful with minimal to no problems. I may finally get around to trying it next week.
It does seem pretty odd that you had so many problems with the LCS WiFi and with an assortment of routers as well. Stranger things have happened I guess, another unsolved mystery.
As another unsolved mystery, I had a Linksys router years ago, had everything setup with static IP addresses. One day all the addresses got rearranged and I could no longer get the static addresses to stick. Finally, before pulling out my last hair, I got a new router and all was well again. No idea what happened there either?? Sometimes there is nothing like a 'large hammer' for some of these things!
Id rather have the LCS working if I had to pick one
@Wanderer posted:Tony,
It's also not possible to connect the LCS WiFi without using WPS. The only option for connection is to press a WPS Enable button.
I know this is a very old topic and I'm sure GRJ has overcome his problem with WPS connection of the LCS WiFI. The statement above though regarding "only option for connection" is WPS is incorrect. The free from Lionel LCS Wifi Monitor has a section that allows traditional connection to a wifi SSID and you enter the password as you would in connecting a standard PC to wifi. I came across this when I watched the video link below. Just wanted to pass along some discoveries...
Correct, I got the LCS WiFi Monitor soon after my previous comments, makes all the difference in the world. Why Lionel didn't offer that option in the first place is a total mystery!
So rather than start a new topic I thought I'd ask here...
I have my LCS WiFi joined to my home network. Used the LCS monitor and it connected fine. Viewing the router page it says it's "online" but my LCS iPad app and iCab randomly disconnect. Anyone else experience this. My LCS module is probably less than 20' from the router upstairs. The LCS module is an early Beta version from Lion so I am getting a new one just to test but thought I'd ask here. I used the LCS monitor to change channels with no difference.
Well, when you're connecting through the network, the iPad and iPhone would be connecting through the router, so do they stay connected when doing other functions with them on the network?
@gunrunnerjohn posted:Well, when you're connecting through the network, the iPad and iPhone would be connecting through the router, so do they stay connected when doing other functions with them on the network?
Yep. It just seems like the "bridge" between the LCS module and the iDevices loses connection.
Marty-
Attached is my cheat sheet for joining LCS WiFi connecting to existing network. It also includes instructions for reserving an IP address through my router (Apple Airport Extreme). The IP reservation process is specific to the router brand you have. Hope this helps!
Tim
Marty, I used to have the problems you mentioned but since following GRJ's advice I have had a rock solid/predictable connection to my home network. I hope you have the same luck that I did.
Wow, what a saga! My layout is in the garage and my home network is a Netgear Orbi mesh setup. I had to keep my LCS WiFi module in AP mode until I purchased another Orbi node to put in the garage. The signal (through a bunch of walls, etc) to the nearest node from the garage was too weak for the LCS WiFi module to maintain a good connection. Doesn't seem like this was John's issue, but thought I'd share anyway
Glad you finally got it working, @gunrunnerjohn! I agree it's much nicer to have LCS WiFi connected to your home network
@MartyE posted:Yep. It just seems like the "bridge" between the LCS module and the iDevices loses connection.
That's truly odd, I can't imagine what is going on there. Do you have any issues using the LCS through the WiFi or just the Apple devices?
I had an issue with a Linksys wifi not hooking up a security camera. I read somewhere that there could be an issue with the wifi trying to put the camera on 5 GHz instead of 2.4 GHz. Anybody know about that?
There are different WiFi standards that use different WiFi Frequencies. All your equipment must be able and configured to operate on the same frequency band (ie. a 2.4GHz device can't talk to a 5GHz device). The LCS WiFi Users Guide is very lacking on any of the WiFi specifics, but it seems that it operates only with 2.4GHz frequency bands with WPS security. Generally speaking, a good number of current WiFi devices on the market support both 2.4GHz and 5GHz modes (even at the same time!). However, I have found many non-technical users assume 5GHz is bigger number and therefore better, unknowingly disable the 2.4GHz band and then get stymied when their older WiFi printer no longer connects (as it only operates on 2.4GHz) or other devises have not been re-configured for 5Ghz communications.
It all essentially loosely boils down to trying to use an AM radio to to communicate with a new-fangled FM broadcast. If supported, you can switch your AM radio over to FM, or get a new radio that has an FM mode.
Note: WiFi is technologically large topic and there are many many nuances and the above is a nonspecific simplification.
Yes, I do understand the difference in frequencies, but the issue I was sharing was something about the wifi unit pushing devices to 5 GHz when the device is 2.4 GHz causing an issue…and there’s some button on the wifi app that can turn this feature off.
@bmoran4 posted:There are different WiFi standards that use different WiFi Frequencies. All your equipment must be able and configured to operate on the same frequency band (ie. a 2.4GHz device can't talk to a 5GHz device).
Not in this scenario, we're talking about connecting the LCS WiFi to the network (aka, your router). The only device that has any restrictions is the router, it must be able to talk on any band that any connected device is on. There is no problem at all with the LCS WiFi talking through the router on the 2.4ghz band and the connected devices communicating on any type link. My iPad connects only on the 5ghz band, and so does my laptop. My main computer connects via a gigabit Ethernet cable to the router. All of these devices communicate flawlessly with the LCS WiFi.
In practice the router access point does not push a frequency specification to the client. In fact, the The client specifies which band it can use. I have seen instances where dual band clients and dual band routers sometimes settle for a band that actually provides worse performance than due to the different propagation characteristics of the different frequencies but again we're getting real technical here and beyond the scope of the post even tangentially.
@gunrunnerjohn, we are saying the same thing from different perspectives. Your LCS Wi-Fi device connects its radio only to the router (in the home network scenario). As such they must be on compatible frequency bands. Your iPad also only uses its radio to talk to the router and must also be on a frequency band that matches. And on the instance you describe, the router is dual band and can speak on both 2.4 and 5 GHz. In this scenario, the iPod radio never communicates directly with the LCS Wi-Fi radio.
Correct Bob, it just wasn't clear from your post what you were trying to say, at least to me. I wanted to clarify the scenario we're dealing with. FWIW, I haven't seen a dual band router in years that won't freely connect to clients on all the supported bands and protocols.
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