of late , I found that one of our home security cameras that supports Apple ’s HomeKit framework and HomeKit Secure Video for iCloud clip repositing had started to flip on and off the local web . I would often see scores of “ [ name ] is offline ” and “ [ name ] is on-line ” messages scroll across notifications every 24-hour interval . Sometimes it would stay offline for hours at a sentence , even though it is within line of sight to a router in the same room and had functioned for month at a time without a problem . Because the camera is inexpensive and a few geezerhood honest-to-goodness , I purchase a replacement to test whether the original was dying – the newfangled photographic camera immediately exhibited the same connexion issues in the same location .
Was the hardware give out ? Turns out it was a Wi - Fi joining offspring .
Foundry
Was the hardware failing? Turns out it was a Wi-Fi connection issue.
There was a root . A few month ago , our HomeKit - enabled bright thermoregulator refused to reconnect to Wi - Fi after a local power outage . I reckon out the result there by configuring a dissimilar option on my router . I tested out this solution on both the honest-to-goodness and switch cameras , and it worked . I produce a discrete Wi - Fi web to which I connect all smart devices that can be configure to join a specific Wi - Fi meshing . To explain why and how that works , let ’s originate with a refresher course on Wi - Fi .
Wi-Fi hits the wall
Wi - Fi was launched in the late 1990s on the unlicenced 2.4 gigahertz ( Gc ) banding , a range of frequencies divided into narrow , overlapping channels that anyone can use but which is n’t guarantee to be barren of other users ( unlike cellular frequencies , which are licensed and exclusive to each carrier wave ) .
This worked well enough for the initial low maximal speed of 11Mbps . As Wi - Fi amend , it expanded into a much large area of unlicensed spectrum at 5GHz and , more recently , 6GHz . These higher - frequency band have unretentive wavelength ( a function of the number of cps per s they vacillate at ) and have wider channels , which together countenance vastly high data throughput . Modern Wi - Fi in the 5GHz and 6GHz circle can exceed 1Gbps .
Those short wavelength , however , have not bad trouble passing through walls , ceilings , furniture , and other objects . The longer 2.4GHz wavelength do a better job of getting through without as much absorption , meaning more sign – thus more data point – progress to a outstanding space across rooms and floor . The 2.4GHz banding maxes out at about half of 5GHz and 6GHz ’s top rate , and typically delivers only in the high 10 and low hundreds of megabyte per second of data . However , that ’s enough for smart equipment , which often pass very small information . Even a 4 K security system tv camera has a datastream that fit comfortably inside 2.4GHz ’s window .
This configuration on a NetGear router locks connected devices to a strong, nearby signal while also letting them interact with the primary network.
You likely never noticed the carrying into action difference between frequency bands because all mod routers are double - lot 2.4GHz/5GHz or tri - band 2.4GHz/5GHz/6GHz and your devices always strive to find fault the fastest data rate , regardless of set . Router Jehovah kept 2.4GHz in their Wi - Fi base station originally for backward compatibility because possibly hundreds of millions of computer , telephone , and other devices had been sold with just 2.4GHz build in ( some percent of those stay in utilisation ) . But it also helps with range when a router is lay in an area in which 5GHz or 6GHz signals are absorbed a elbow room or more by .
HomeKit and other smart devices often admit only a low - major power Wi - Fi radio receiver , especially if they ’re battery - powered . Many are stick around in the past by only supporting 2.4GHz , too , as that reduce the toll and world power consumption .
How can you leverage your router and 2.4GHz to better smart twist connections ? Set up a separate Edgar Albert Guest 2.4GHz on a router ( or routers ) near your overbold equipment .
Separate networks improve consistency
When you position up a Wi - Fi connection in your theatre , you may have a single router or several , or have choose for a meshing connection ( like that created by where you add “ nodes ” that self - configure with other node .
In most cases , the default configuration has all dance band and all router using the same connection name and Wi - Fi password . This allow seamless roaming across your home . However , each of your devices picks which router and ring it connects to based on logic built into the gadget . If your iPhone or security camera selects a weak , distant router ’s 5GHz programme , you ca n’t wedge it to switch .
The way to nibble a band and router is to name networks clearly . Nearly all routers sell in the last decade provide a couple of options for this :
The first is less useful , as it can affect cast . Using a guest web makes more sentience , as it will your main net untouched but dedicate you the advantage of survival . If you have router around your sign of the zodiac , you may even be able to set up each router ’s guest meshwork ’s 2.4GHz radiocommunication with a unique name ( the password can be identical ) .
For instance , on the router closest to my smart home twist , a NetGear Nighthawk , I have start the guest web , set its SSID or web name to circularise ( making it selectable from a menu ) , and check “ provide invitee to see each other and access my local mesh . ” That last item is very important : without “ guests ” seeing your local web , your smart rest home devices will be unable to progress to your HomeKit hub . The language will alter by router maker and sometimes even among models made by the same party , but there should always be a transposition you could rig to turnoff“guest isolation ” or turnon“see devices on the local connection . ”
This contour on a NetGear router locks connected devices to a strong , nearby signaling while also lease them interact with the elementary internet .
Once I had that connection set up , I used the app for cameras , both Eufy modeling . While they are HomeKit compatible , Eufy also more detail configuration and other choice within its own app , including update firmware . It ’s there that I was able-bodied to select the guest 2.4GHz Wi - Fi connection and the offline / online toggling immediately stopped .
Months in the first place , I had used the strong-arm interface on my smart thermostat and a gibe app to plug in to that guest 2.4GHz internet . That was more Byzantine : I had to put the thermoregulator into a special connexion mode from its panel , connect to its myopic - range individual Wi - Fi constellation web , and use the thermoregulator ’s app to select the new 2.4GHz electronic internet .
Your mileage will vary
Not all HomeKit devices can have their Wi - Fi meshing changed : some are locked to the connection on your iPhone , iPad , or Mac when you add them as an supplement . But those with apps or interfaces may allow you pick a Wi - Fi web without disrupt their association with your HomeKit hub and specify abode in the Home app .
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