Re: [PLUG] Any Ubiquiti Experts?
Yeah, some of those hotspots I have really grown to hate. TMobile is currently sending out a hotspot that - and I kid you not - says right in the instructions that you must not leave it plugged into the charger for more than 8 hours at a time or the battery will overcharge and be ruined. They actually enforce this with software on the hotspot that makes it turn off if you leave it plugged into the charger. Apparently the concept of sticking a 50 cent battery management chip into the device to manage the rechargeable Li-Ion battery in the piece of crap was beyond the capabilities of their engineers. Ted -Original Message- From: PLUG On Behalf Of Ben Koenig Sent: Friday, May 12, 2023 2:32 PM To: plug@pdxlinux.org Subject: Re: [PLUG] Any Ubiquiti Experts? Yeah they usually have a couple options, but only a couple. There are some really wacky issues from years ago that typically require a software update to resolve. Even knowing what the hotspot is currently broadcasting can be helpful in narrowing it down or ruling it out. Try connecting a MBP from 2013/2014 to a wpa 2/3 network and youll see what I mean. It works on paper :) -Ben Sent from ProtonMail mobile Original Message On May 12, 2023, 2:22 PM, Ted Mittelstaedt < t...@portlandia-it.com> wrote: -Original Message- From: PLUG On Behalf Of Ben Koenig Sent: Friday, May 12, 2023 5:47 AM To: Portland Linux/Unix Group Subject: Re: [PLUG] Any Ubiquiti Experts? >Something about this Verizon hotspot network is different from the others. What is it? >By far the easiest thing to do here is change the Verizon hotspot to broadcast an OPEN network, no >encryption. If that works then we know more-or-less where the problem is. >Not saying this is a solution. OPEN encryption should not fail on any device and will tell us if the Verizon >hotspot is using an encryption scheme that the Bullet M2 can't handle. I have worked with some of these cell hotspot devices before and they are most definitely KISS devices and his may not even permit him to make any changes whatsoever to the encryption. Instructions that come with them are on the order of "plug it in and it will display the SSID and password on screen" and that's pretty much it. The cell companies don't want to offer any kind of support on them at all so it's like "get this on a 30 day return and if you can't make it work send it back to us, but don't call for support unless the device tells you "no cell signal" on screen" . Ted
Re: [PLUG] Any Ubiquiti Experts?
Yeah they usually have a couple options, but only a couple. There are some really wacky issues from years ago that typically require a software update to resolve. Even knowing what the hotspot is currently broadcasting can be helpful in narrowing it down or ruling it out. Try connecting a MBP from 2013/2014 to a wpa 2/3 network and youll see what I mean. It works on paper :) -Ben Sent from ProtonMail mobile Original Message On May 12, 2023, 2:22 PM, Ted Mittelstaedt < t...@portlandia-it.com> wrote: -Original Message- From: PLUG On Behalf Of Ben Koenig Sent: Friday, May 12, 2023 5:47 AM To: Portland Linux/Unix Group Subject: Re: [PLUG] Any Ubiquiti Experts? >Something about this Verizon hotspot network is different from the others. What is it? >By far the easiest thing to do here is change the Verizon hotspot to broadcast an OPEN network, no >encryption. If that works then we know more-or-less where the problem is. >Not saying this is a solution. OPEN encryption should not fail on any device and will tell us if the Verizon >hotspot is using an encryption scheme that the Bullet M2 can't handle. I have worked with some of these cell hotspot devices before and they are most definitely KISS devices and his may not even permit him to make any changes whatsoever to the encryption. Instructions that come with them are on the order of "plug it in and it will display the SSID and password on screen" and that's pretty much it. The cell companies don't want to offer any kind of support on them at all so it's like "get this on a 30 day return and if you can't make it work send it back to us, but don't call for support unless the device tells you "no cell signal" on screen" . Ted
Re: [PLUG] Any Ubiquiti Experts?
-Original Message- From: PLUG On Behalf Of Ben Koenig Sent: Friday, May 12, 2023 5:47 AM To: Portland Linux/Unix Group Subject: Re: [PLUG] Any Ubiquiti Experts? >Something about this Verizon hotspot network is different from the others. >What is it? >By far the easiest thing to do here is change the Verizon hotspot to broadcast >an OPEN network, no >encryption. If that works then we know more-or-less where >the problem is. >Not saying this is a solution. OPEN encryption should not fail on any device >and will tell us if the Verizon >hotspot is using an encryption scheme that >the Bullet M2 can't handle. I have worked with some of these cell hotspot devices before and they are most definitely KISS devices and his may not even permit him to make any changes whatsoever to the encryption. Instructions that come with them are on the order of "plug it in and it will display the SSID and password on screen" and that's pretty much it. The cell companies don't want to offer any kind of support on them at all so it's like "get this on a 30 day return and if you can't make it work send it back to us, but don't call for support unless the device tells you "no cell signal" on screen" . Ted
Re: [PLUG] Any Ubiquiti Experts?
If you have created a backup config, you can restore it after the factory reset, if necessary or desirable. The goal of my suggestion is just to rule out an accidental misconfiguration of some obscure setting that might be preventing the connection. On Fri, May 12, 2023, 05:47 Ben Koenig wrote: > --- Original Message --- > On Friday, May 12th, 2023 at 5:15 AM, Tomas Kuchta < > tomas.kuchta.li...@gmail.com> wrote: > > > > > . > > > > > > I'd think that Russell's suggestion about backup + reset to factory + > > update to the latest firmware + reconfigure is the least costly and > > intrusive option to start with. > > > > If you still cannot connect to the wifi hotspot after that - then it > would > > be prudent to start trouble shoot. Let's cross that bridge when > > > > -T > > A factory reset is the MOST intrusive option because you are little wiping > out all data and preferences on a device and taking it offline. Remember > that the device is currently functioning as intended on other networks so > why mess with that? So before making changes to the configuration or > firmware we should try to isolate the point of failure. Isolate the > problem then root cause. > > Something about this Verizon hotspot network is different from the others. > What is it? > > By far the easiest thing to do here is change the Verizon hotspot to > broadcast an OPEN network, no encryption. If that works then we know > more-or-less where the problem is. > > Not saying this is a solution. OPEN encryption should not fail on any > device and will tell us if the Verizon hotspot is using an encryption > scheme that the Bullet M2 can't handle. > -Ben >
Re: [PLUG] Any Ubiquiti Experts?
--- Original Message --- On Friday, May 12th, 2023 at 5:15 AM, Tomas Kuchta wrote: > > . > > > I'd think that Russell's suggestion about backup + reset to factory + > update to the latest firmware + reconfigure is the least costly and > intrusive option to start with. > > If you still cannot connect to the wifi hotspot after that - then it would > be prudent to start trouble shoot. Let's cross that bridge when > > -T A factory reset is the MOST intrusive option because you are little wiping out all data and preferences on a device and taking it offline. Remember that the device is currently functioning as intended on other networks so why mess with that? So before making changes to the configuration or firmware we should try to isolate the point of failure. Isolate the problem then root cause. Something about this Verizon hotspot network is different from the others. What is it? By far the easiest thing to do here is change the Verizon hotspot to broadcast an OPEN network, no encryption. If that works then we know more-or-less where the problem is. Not saying this is a solution. OPEN encryption should not fail on any device and will tell us if the Verizon hotspot is using an encryption scheme that the Bullet M2 can't handle. -Ben
Re: [PLUG] Any Ubiquiti Experts?
> > . > I'd think that Russell's suggestion about backup + reset to factory + update to the latest firmware + reconfigure is the least costly and intrusive option to start with. If you still cannot connect to the wifi hotspot after that - then it would be prudent to start trouble shoot. Let's cross that bridge when -T >
Re: [PLUG] Any Ubiquiti Experts?
> > . Before disposing of your hotspot + cell provider and getting someone elses phone replacing the hotspot. I would very carefully study the terms and conditions. I cannot believe that someone here would be promoting any "Unlimited" plan as unlimited in dictionary terms when it comes to telco (mono/duo)polies. "Cost on an unlimited plan is likely cheaper than cost on the Verizon hotspot AND the AT cell plan. And I'll even throw in a dd-wrt router that will connect to the S9 when it's running it's wifi tethering."
Re: [PLUG] Any Ubiquiti Experts?
OK here is something simpler. All you need is something that will replace the bullet and connect to the Verizon hotspot and to your netgear wan port. You can keep using the bullet to connect to the unnamed "distant" wifi whatever that is, and to your AT phone when you turn on tethering since that works. I'll send you out a couple routers you can play with one configured with a dd-wrt version that has a working client bridge and the other configured with openwrt. You can then either use the instructions here for openwrt: https://openwrt.org/docs/guide-user/network/routedclient or here for dd-wrt: https://wiki.dd-wrt.com/wiki/index.php/Client_Bridge whichever one you find easiest to use, to connect to the hotspot. OR THERE IS SOMETHING EVEN SIMPLER THAN THAT: I have a nice used Samsung S9 that originated on the Verizon network that I'm no longer using. Since you know you got good signal on the Verizon network, I'll send you that phone and you can contact Verizon and cancel the hotspot account, then contact AT and cancel your existing cell phone account, then get an unlimited data plan from Verizon and have them send you a sim out for the S9. Cost on an unlimited plan is likely cheaper than cost on the Verizon hotspot AND the AT cell plan. And I'll even throw in a dd-wrt router that will connect to the S9 when it's running it's wifi tethering. Ted -Original Message- From: PLUG On Behalf Of Michael Barnes Sent: Thursday, May 11, 2023 9:08 PM To: Portland Linux/Unix Group Subject: Re: [PLUG] Any Ubiquiti Experts? Thanks anyhow, folks. I was hoping for something simple. I'm afraid 80-90% of this disussion has gone way over my head. As I age, I think I have forgotten more about this networking stuff than I knew in the first place. I didn't think it was all that difficult to understand the layout, it is pretty simple. Outside gain antenna > Ubiquiti Bullet > Netgear WAN port > wifi/ethernet to devices. Log into Bullet and select available wifi network from scan list. Sometimes the available wifi network is distant or very weak, hence the big gain antenna. At times, no network was available, so I connected to my phone as a hotspot. Sometimes adequate AT signal is not available or I used up my monthly data allocation, so I acquired the Verizon hotspot. The Bullet shows the Verizon device on the scanned network list, but does not allow it to be selected. I have a very limited budget and even more limited skillset anymore. Obtaining the Verizon equipment and service was a huge hit. Acquiring additional equipment is simply out of the question for both financial and logistical reasons. Thank you all for your time anyhow. Unfortunately, it was more an exercise in frustration and futility for me. Michael On Thu, May 11, 2023, 21:55 Ted Mittelstaedt wrote: > > -Original Message- > From: PLUG On Behalf Of Russell Senior > Sent: Thursday, May 11, 2023 2:46 PM > To: Portland Linux/Unix Group > Subject: Re: [PLUG] Any Ubiquiti Experts? > > On Thu, May 11, 2023 at 1:07 PM Ted Mittelstaedt > > > >Bridging when both ends are cooperating is not difficult (see > >4-address > mode). The Verizon hotspot is not >cooperating. > > I've had no issues bridging using dd-wrt to my phone in portable > setups where a device with an ethernet port needed to get on the > Internet and there was no Ethernet port available. Possibly if you > have never used dd-wrt you are drawing conclusions based on inferior > wifi bridging implementations in openwrt?? > > >I always recommend routing at the station over trying to bridge > >*UNLESS > YOU CONTROL BOTH ENDS*. > > I have to disagree with this one. Inserting routers at both ends of a > wifi bridge is actually best network practices. And I mean a real > router not an address translator. For starters it eliminates all the > TCP/IP broadcast traffic which just adds useless traffic to the wifi link. > > The issue is not in the network design on this one. The issue is in > the "ISP handoff" or rather the border. Best practices is to have the > ISP handoff a PUBLIC IP address whether it's DHCP supplied or static. > > The moment the ISP hands you a PRIVATE number you are off in the weeds > and you really need to recognize you are in the insane asylum. And > you are in an insane asylum inside of a sinking ship if you don't have > control over the NAT device. > > >My recollection of the ubiquiti firmware on the M-class devices is > >that > station-mode implies routing. I use >a lot of ubiquiti hardware, but > rarely their software. > > My go-to is Ubiquiti hardware and software for corporate WDS installs. > But I don't judge them to be "the best" Their propensity for the > software update of the month is highly annoying, frankly. They are > just the cheapest out there that is "corporatized" LOL > > >OpenWrt is for people who want to treat their device as a tiny > >computer > that happens to have wifi
