Proper WDS Extender for RV180W

[RobertHessenauer]

I recently replaced my working WRVS4400N v2 Router with an RV180W.  Unfortunately I am now stymied, as I am unable to use WDS to connect my WAP4410N to the RV180W to fill a dead spot. I tried calling support (case # 623405011) but we were unable to get communications working correctly - even when the two devices were less than 5 feet apart. The engineer's final suggestion wwas to put the WAP4410N bact to factory default, connect it to a laptop, and compare settings side-by-side...thats 2 hours of my life I will never get back as it was a useless endeavor. And before anybody asks, the WAP4410N is on 2.0.5.3, and the RV180W is on 1.0.1.9 (Both are on the latest available firmware).

My question would be what Cisco device would be best matched with this RV180W so I can use WDS and fill in the hole.  I have no problem, just as long as it works and stays stable, as I had with the WRVS4400N / WAP4410N setup. Optionally, is there some other setting the engineer missed?  The RV180W is my gateway router and primary wireless access point, I just need to fill some spaces where there is interference.

Thanks in advance for any help

[RobertHessenauer]

Eric,

We may be approaching another dealbreaker with this device.  When considering the original purchase, I called Small Business Support for advice. One of the features I wanted to be sure was available was DHCPv6-PD, as I am a Comcast customer and they require this so they can provide both an IPv6 /128 WAN address as well as an IPv6 /64 subnet for use on the LAN side of the device.  Once again I should have left the phone on the hook, because now that I have gotten 2 RV180W devices, I am being told that this functionality is NOT included in the device (I have another post asking about this).  Unfortunately, I need this functionality available (DLink has it in their latest devices - it can't be that hard) and may need to replace both RV180W devices with another alternative (as yet unknown, Cisco's actions will determine which hardware I use).

Bottom line, if DHCPv6-PD is not,  and cannot, be made available in these devices - I must reconsider my purchases.  If there is a Small Business Device that has a feature set that mirrors this device and includes DHCPv6-PD (I use the WDS, VPN, etc), and it is reasonably priced (as well as has your stamp of approval), then I will stay with Cisco. Otherwise I will be forced to pay restocking fees for both RV180W devices as I will be returning them (they are only useful as a matched pair) and taking my business to another vendor (probably DLink).

If necessary, show this posting and my other thread to the higher-ups. At this point I am so frustrated with phone support that I will not even waste my time with them - they have proven unhelpful and incompitent, their advice is useless and downright wrong, and they refuse to take ownership of their mistakes.

My anger is not with you, YOU have been a beacon of knowledge and hope...and I have communicated this to management when they last called my house. I just wanted to give you a heads up so you don't waste your time troubleshooting when BOTH devices are headed for the return bin if I find this is yet another broken promise by the SB Phone advisors.

Robert Hessenauer

[Eric Moyers]

I have your info and I am sending out some inquiries on this feature. I have not worked much with IPv6 but will get some useful info for you.

If not available for the RV180W I can most definitely send it up as a feature request.

Eric

[RobertHessenauer]

Eric,

Doing some research on the Comcast forums I can report that the Linksys E2500 DOES support this feature.  There are others from other vendors, but I wanted to find a Linksys/Cisco device so your firmware programmers had a reference point to work from.  I would very much like to see this resolved with a firmware update (and yes I volunteer to test it if that helps) as I am HIGHLY impressed with the stability shown by this device.  Prior to this upgrade I was rebooting my WRVS4400Nv2 every other week, and have not had to reboot since configuring these devices as a matched pair.

And again, let me thank you for your continued helpfulness and eagerness to RESOLVE problems instead of passing the buck.

May the day find you well,

Robert Hessenauer

Additional Devices:

Linksys E1200 v2

Linksys EA-4500

Linksys E4200v2

PS - ALL of these products are in your Home line.  This is what makes me so frustrated, that your HOME products can do this but your Small Business line (which is MORE likely to need and effectively use these features) do not.  Hopefully it is is a simple matter of stealing and retrofitting the code from your home product line to the Small Business series as a firmware update.

Message was edited by: Robert Hessenauer

[RobertHessenauer]

Eric,

The DHCPv6-PD issue is being worked on another thread.  I do appreciate your efforts as well, and wanted to ask if you have had a chance to put the steps together to resolve the issue of not being able to access the management interface of the 2nd RV180W?

Not pressuring, as I know you are busy (the best engineers usually are)...just asking.

Robert Hessenauer

[Eric Moyers]

Sorry about the delay, I am one of 4 SME's in this facility and currently 2 are delivering training session to either new hires or current employees and the other is out of the country doing the same.

I actually have been talking with Tom about that case. He and I work in the same area, and have been collaborating. Also, I actually have been slowly detailing out what steps I took to get the management interface when I set the  RV180w up and it worked.

Eric

[Tom Watts]

Hi Robert, here is the resolution to your inquiry.

1.) Change to the AP mode

2.) The device will reboot, the IP address will default to 192.168.1.245. Physically connect your devices and computer, connect your computer to anything different than the "ap rv180w".

3.) Log in to the 192.168.1.245

4.) Set the LAN connection correctly, in my case my gateway is 192.168.1.1

-Tom
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