No access point for almond+?!?!?!?

[araposo]

I bought the almond plus to use as an access point and zwave controller and I'm super disappointing to see that its not an access point. When is the firmware update coming to make it an access point?


----Alex

[LGNilsson]

Sorry to hear that, but you're not going to have to wait for long as we're expecting the new firmware that adds the access point and range extender functions to be released in about two weeks.

[YTN]

I have also been struggling to get my Almond+ setup thinking it already supported AP mode.

Is there a beta release of the software we could use?

Or is there some workaround in the current software?

[CB]

Confused. What AP feature is missing?

[YTN]

It doesn't look like you can set the Almond+ in pure AP mode without enabling the router functionality (at least none that I can see). This poses a bit of a problem if you already have a router setup to handle connecting to the internet.

[LGNilsson]

The Almond+ works just fine as a router behind most  routers, but as I mentioned, AP mode is coming very soon, so please have a little bit more patience and we'll get all the missing features sorted out.

[y99]

I hope this comes soon, unfortunately it does not work perfectly behind an existing router due to double NAT related issues. If you have devices like Sonos, Roku etc. that you connect to your network, you add Almond+ then add a few client - say your phone to the Almond+ it won't ever find your Roku or your Sonos.

[LGNilsson]

That's true. As mentioned, this firmware should be release in about two weeks, so it's coming very soon.

[jjbiese]

You can still have it function like an Access point.  Turn off DHCP on the Almond and connect the cable coming from your existing router into one of the LAN switch ports. Leaving the WAN port disconnected.

All of your WiFi devices will get DHCP from your existing router.

[YTN]

How do you turn off DHCP? I'm assuming you mean turn off the DHCP server on the LAN side. I tried this multiple times and the Almond+ doesn't seem to disable it... status still shows enabled.

Also, do you setup the LAN side with a static IP (same as your network) or do you set up the LAN side as a DHCP client?

I've tried all these with no success.

Currently I'm just running the Almond+ with the WAN side enabled (as a DHCP client) and the LAN side setup with the defaults (i.e. the 10.10.* address and DHCP server enabled). This works, but I am not happy with this setup since you end up with a double NAT and my almond+ clients don't get a correct IPv6 address.

[jjbiese]

Hmm.....Unfortunately I have not received my Almond+ yet so I can't be of much help with specifics. The setup would require DHCP to be turned off on the LAN side and given a static IP so you essentially are left with a 4 port switch with WiFi. 

We setup WiFi routers this way for customers who want inexpensive access points and already have routers/ASA's as part of there network. 

[TEmp]

I thought under the hood Almond+ runs Openwrt, if so can you not just configure it into AP mode manually?

http://wiki.openwrt.org/doc/recipes/dumbap

I will also require to keep my current router due to IPTV reasons and configure the Almond+ as a switch with AP functionality.

[LGNilsson]

Sadly it's not that simple, as it comes down to the drivers.
The new firmware update will contain a new driver which enables us to add the access point and range extender features.
Admittedly it is possible to turn off the DHCP server, but it's currently a bit quirky to do.
Once the new firmware is out, all this will be doable by a few taps on the LCD display.

[pbot]

Hi Lars,
Any word on the update? Having the same unable to connect the Sonos type issues.

Sorry to hear that, but you're not going to have to wait for long as we're expecting the new firmware that adds the access point and range extender functions to be released in about two weeks.

[LGNilsson]

Tomorrow