LCS Wi-Fi Module Connection Issue

This problem has been discussed at length with no clear cut answers.  Most can connect via access point, however joining the network is less of a success story for a lot of us.  My module used to connect but for several weeks now I can only use access point.  It sees the network and goes through the early motions of connecting, however it never completes the process.  You're not the odd man out.  There are many having this issue.

Bruce 

Thank you for your reply.

I am a Lionel LCS Partner.  Lionel is going to take my first non-working unit and try to figure out what the problem is.  They will receive it on Tuesday. Hopefully they can fix it and tell me what to do to get my new non-working unit working again.  As soon as I hear something I will post.

Harvy posted:

Thank you for your reply.

I am a Lionel LCS Partner.  Lionel is going to take my first non-working unit and try to figure out what the problem is.  They will receive it on Tuesday. Hopefully they can fix it and tell me what to do to get my new non-working unit working again.  As soon as I hear something I will post.

Thanks!  Will look forward to your reply.

Harvy

I've been using the same WiFi box for years without issue connecting to a router BUT to be 100% transparent, that wireless router is stand alone and has no internet connection.  I use it only for train related WiFi device such as DCS, Ipads, and such.  I have never connected it to a true fully intenet enabled router.  Not sure that makes a difference.  Also the router is an older Netgear router they were tossing at work. 

Marty,

I have seen your previous posts on this and have tried the stand alone network with a couple of different routers.  I still can't get it to work and suspect it is the module that has failed since it once worked OK.  It's three years old, so out of warranty.  Be interested to see Lionel's response to Harvey once they receive his module. 

Maybe a good question for the LUG meeting at York.  It's not a meet that is convenient for me to attend, however I always watch the video and recap of the LUG meeting.  Thanks for doing this!

Bruce

Sounds similar to @gunrunnerjohn problem from a few months back.  

I had the same problem.  I had three different routers I tried to connect it to, none connected.  When Verizon upgraded my router to their latest model, suddenly I could connect to that router.  I could connect other devices using WPS no problem, even the MTH WiFi unit.  For some reason, the Lionel unit just didn't want to connect.

IMO, it was a significant mistake in the design of the Lionel WiFi not to have a fallback connection option where you could use a wired connection to get in and configure.

gunrunnerjohn posted:

 

IMO, it was a significant mistake in the design of the Lionel WiFi not to have a fallback connection option where you could use a wired connection to get in and configure.

I agree.  Even an option to have a wired connection to the router if one prefers.

That too Marty, I use a wired connection whenever it is possible.  I hear all about how good WiFi has gotten, but give me a wire anytime I can use one.

MartyE posted:

Harvy

I've been using the same WiFi box for years without issue connecting to a router BUT to be 100% transparent, that wireless router is stand alone and has no internet connection.  I use it only for train related WiFi device such as DCS, Ipads, and such.  I have never connected it to a true fully intenet enabled router.  Not sure that makes a difference.  Also the router is an older Netgear router they were tossing at work. 

Thank you.  It shouldn't matter if you have an Internet connection or not.  You are able to connect to a router and that means Join To Network mode works for you.

gunrunnerjohn posted:

I had the same problem.  I had three different routers I tried to connect it to, none connected.  When Verizon upgraded my router to their latest model, suddenly I could connect to that router.  I could connect other devices using WPS no problem, even the MTH WiFi unit.  For some reason, the Lionel unit just didn't want to connect.

IMO, it was a significant mistake in the design of the Lionel WiFi not to have a fallback connection option where you could use a wired connection to get in and configure.

I too can connect another device via WPS.  Just not the LCS Wi-Fi module.

Yep, I had three different brands of router, none would connect to the LCS Wifi, but all would connect to the MTH WiFi or my phone using WPS without an issue.  I can't say why the LCS is so picky, but it is.

gunrunnerjohn posted:

That too Marty, I use a wired connection whenever it is possible.  I hear all about how good WiFi has gotten, but give me a wire anytime I can use one.

I like wires too!! The only thing I use wifi for is my ipad, iphone etc. I don't have the Lionel Wifi unit, but I do have the MTH unit, but have not tried to connect it to my home network. I really have not used it that much so far either. I still like the remotes...a creature of habit I guess and an old one at that! I did finally get an iphone though, so there is still hope. 

When I am in play mode, I prefer the Cab-2.  However, I am a LCS Partner and I need the Wi-Fi module to develop with.  I prefer to have it in Join To Network mode so I can develop from my desktop.

Even if you aren't developing for LCS, it's a pain to switch wireless networks with your iDevice all the time. 

gunrunnerjohn posted:

Even if you aren't developing for LCS, it's a pain to switch wireless networks with your iDevice all the time. 

Agreed.

I certainly see where developing with all the connection problems would be a problem. That would be a real pain. I was just preferring the wired connections over wifi. Was also just agreeing with MartyE and GRJ about leaving wired network ports off of the LCS wifi device. Maybe Lionel will be able to come up with a solution for you soon.

rtr12 posted:

I certainly see where developing with all the connection problems would be a problem. That would be a real pain. I was just preferring the wired connections over wifi. Was also just agreeing with MartyE and GRJ about leaving wired network ports off of the LCS wifi device. Maybe Lionel will be able to come up with a solution for you soon.

I hope they can find a solution too.  Thank you.  Yes, it would be nice to have an Ethernet port on the LCS Wi-Fi module as a backup.

I imagine they will find a solution, they have some pretty knowledgeable folks there. As a partner it might be good to suggest they add a wired network port to their devices. Not that it will ever be added, but can't hurt to suggest and it's a good idea too, IMO. Maybe MartyE and GRJ will offer the same suggestion at York as well, if they haven't already. 

rtr12 posted:

I imagine they will find a solution, they have some pretty knowledgeable folks there. As a partner it might be good to suggest they add a wired network port to their devices. Not that it will ever be added, but can't hurt to suggest and it's a good idea too, IMO. Maybe MartyE and GRJ will offer the same suggestion at York as well, if they haven't already. 

I'm waiting for Rudy at Lionel to get it.  The Return Authorization sent it to Concord, NC.  Then they are supposed to send it to Rudy in Santa Clara, CA.  I would think he should have it by now, but I know everyone in that office is very busy.  I'm not sure when they will have time to look at it.  I can bring up the idea of adding an Ethernet port, but I know they monitor this forum.  They probably did not add an Ethernet port to keep the cost down.

I doubt we'll see an Ethernet port at this stage.  However, they could change the firmware to have a default client configuration when the WiFi unit is reset.  Since there's no "factory reset", at least in the manual, the "reset" could be a sequence of button pushes on the WPS Enable button to invoke the default client configuration.  This allows the change to be software only and solves the problem of WPS not connecting.

Harvy posted:

I'm waiting for Rudy at Lionel to get it.  The Return Authorization sent it to Concord, NC.  Then they are supposed to send it to Rudy in Santa Clara, CA.

I sent it to Rudy. He should get it today.

Dave Olson posted:

Harvy posted:

I'm waiting for Rudy at Lionel to get it.  The Return Authorization sent it to Concord, NC.  Then they are supposed to send it to Rudy in Santa Clara, CA.

I sent it to Rudy. He should get it today.

Thank you very much, Dave. 

See @rtr12.  I told you you Lionel monitors this forum.

gunrunnerjohn posted:

I doubt we'll see an Ethernet port at this stage.  However, they could change the firmware to have a default client configuration when the WiFi unit is reset.  Since there's no "factory reset", at least in the manual, the "reset" could be a sequence of button pushes on the WPS Enable button to invoke the default client configuration.  This allows the change to be software only and solves the problem of WPS not connecting.

How would you load the firmware?  RA to Lionel?  Could it be done via wireless?  Just curious as my firmware upgrades on other products have not always gone well, although the Cab 2 upgrades have always been successful.  

Bruce

That's probably a question for Lionel, I'm sure there's some provision for updating the firmware.

I upgraded from a Verizon router a couple of months back.  I was able to connect to the Verizon router with no issue.  I, the other day went to use the Legacy Utility and found I was not connected. I had not used the utility since acquiring a new Asus RT-AC3100. Using WPS as explained in the Lionel Manual and they connected right up. Remember it connects as some obscure name. Also mine connected on the 2.4 Gig channel.  I think it registered as McBain something something. 

I had the same experience.  When I went from the older Verizon router (red front panel) to the latest "wedge shaped" masterpiece from Verizon, I finally was able to connect.  I had previously tried three other routers, including the older Verizon router.

IMO, it simply shouldn't be this hard to connect to the WiFi box!

I just checked again and it registers as Gainspan something something. 

Loose-Caboose posted:

I just checked again and it registers as Gainspan something something. 

That's what mine said when it actually connected.  I have a Comcast router/modem.  Maybe I'll try to swap it out with another.

gunrunnerjohn posted:

I had the same experience.  When I went from the older Verizon router (red front panel) to the latest "wedge shaped" masterpiece from Verizon, I finally was able to connect.  I had previously tried three other routers, including the older Verizon router.

IMO, it simply shouldn't be this hard to connect to the WiFi box!

This one? Verizon Fios G1100 Quantum 

or this one...  Verizon Novatel T1114 Broadband Router

I have the Verizon FiOS G1100 Quantum Gateway, the WiFi connects to that one as a client just fine.  I also have older Linksys, D-Link, and the Verizon Actiontec MI424WR Rev I, none of those would allow the WiFi to connect.

Harvy posted:

Dave Olson posted:

Harvy posted:

I'm waiting for Rudy at Lionel to get it.  The Return Authorization sent it to Concord, NC.  Then they are supposed to send it to Rudy in Santa Clara, CA.

I sent it to Rudy. He should get it today.

Thank you very much, Dave. 

See @rtr12.  I told you you Lionel monitors this forum.

Yes, I see. I think it's nice to see the manufacturers participate! 

As you and GRJ also said above, probably too late for the Ethernet port though. I am sure they had their reasons during design. Doesn't hurt to ask...

After fooling around with it more, it looks like when you put it in Join to Network mode, it totally shuts off the wifi.  The green LED should be flashing, but its not. It's not that it can't connect to my router, it's that it isn't even visible by my router.  It's no longer broadcasting at all.

I also tried a different Comcast router.

It's VERY picky about the router, the only one I've ever joined the network with is the new Verizon one.  FWIW, mine connects and my iPad running LCS is able to operate the switches and trains.

gunrunnerjohn posted:

It's VERY picky about the router, the only one I've ever joined the network with is the new Verizon one.  FWIW, mine connects and my iPad running LCS is able to operate the switches and trains.

I don't think my router is the problem.  It's the LCS Wi-Fi module itself.  It is not broadcasting.  Therefore, no router will be able to find it.

That's different, are you saying you get nothing when you press the WPS button?

gunrunnerjohn posted:

That's different, are you saying you get nothing when you press the WPS button?

In my router's admin page I can't see the LCS wifi module.  I should be able to see the device whether it is connected or not.  The green LED does not flash when you put it in Join to Network mode.  It should be flashing at a medium rate.  It is just off.  When I hold down the WPS button, the green LED does flash very fast, but that really means nothing because it is still not broadcasting. 

Really?  My router only shows the devices that have authenticated and it has served up an IP address to.

I live in a complex, and if every wireless device showed up on my router without authentication, all my neighbors’ tens of devices would appear...which is not the case.

Okay, maybe I am wrong about that, but I still feel that my LCS wifi module is not broadcasting anything.