How To Make a Wireless Router Cooperate with your Network
Modern wireless home automation systems tend to use wi-fi for some of their functionality. By communicating directly through your router, home automation systems can be used to control everything from your lighting to your sound system. But what happens if your wireless router doesn’t cooperate? What do you do if your home automation or security system continually drops signals or loses IP addresses?
Wireless home automation and security have certainly come a long way over the last five or six years. In some cases, technology has surpassed that of older wi-fi routers. This is where a lot of router problems come from. Based on historic data we recommend three solutions if your wireless router doesn’t cooperate with you home automation or security systems.
1.Check for Firmware Updates
Wireless routers rely on embedded firmware for their operation. Firmware is similar to the OS that powers your computer or smartphone. As such, it can be updated by your router’s manufacturer. The difference is that while your computer or smartphone may update automatically, routers do not. This is with purpose. Automatically updating a router could jeopardize a home network, so manufacturers leave it to owners to do the updates themselves.
If your router is not working as well as it should, check with your manufacturer to see if a firmware update is available. If so, the manufacturer should supply both the software and instructions for deploying it. Make sure you follow the instructions to the letter. Upgrading the firmware may solve your performance issues.
2. Change the Router’s Location
Most people do not realize that routers are directional. In other words, routers look for wi-fi signals more strongly in whatever direction antennas are pointed at. Therefore, router performance can be influenced based on its location.
Make sure your wireless router is placed in a central location in your home. Also, place it at mid level. Routers that are too low or too high can be problematic – especially when the interior design of a home inhibits wi-fi signals from traveling freely.
3. Create a Bridged Network
Assuming your firmware is up to date and your router is in a central location, the third and final option is to create a bridged network consisting of multiple routers all working together in the same system to provide maximum coverage throughout your home.
To create a bridged network, you will need multiple routers capable of communicating with one another. Your primary router remains unchanged; each of your secondary routers should be set as bridges. There are plenty of online tutorials explaining how this is done. Just look up your particular model number for further details.
If all else fails, you may need to replace your router with a new model. In such a case, we recommend a dual band router rather than a single. Dual band routers allow you to dedicate one of the bands exclusively to your DIY home automation and security system so that it functions without interference from other devices. As long as you’re investing in a new router, it makes sense to go dual band for automation and security.
Uxari wireless home automation systems are designed to work out-of-the-box with wireless routers from most major manufacturers. Should you have trouble setting up your system, you can always contact our support department for help. We would be happy to answer any questions you might have and, where possible, troubleshoot issues related to our devices and software. If you are having issues with a router supplied by your cable or Internet provider, you may have to contact them for help.
