Upgrading to Flint 2 - Seeking Advice on Network Setup and WiFi Scheduling

Technical Support for Routers
1

Hey everyone,

I’m currently running a network with a Flint 1 as my main router and an old TP-Link Archer D9 acting as an access point (AP). I've got all my NAS, Plex, Sonos, nodes, etc. sorted, but I’m thinking about upgrading my setup.

Here’s my plan:

  1. Replace the Flint 1 with a Flint 2 as the main router.
  2. Use the current Flint 1 as an AP or bridge, and potentially retire the Archer D9.

Main Goals:

  • Enable a WiFi scheduling feature (turning off the AP's WiFi at certain times since it’s right next to me).
  • Keep all my network settings without causing issues (ideally with a backup/restore process).

Questions:

  1. Has anyone successfully migrated settings from Flint 1 to Flint 2? Would a backup suffice for keeping settings, or would I run into any compatibility issues between the two?

  2. AP mode concerns: I’ve read this post, and it seems like I might lose control over WiFi scheduling and webUI if I use Flint 1 in AP mode. Is that true? Any workarounds?

  3. Could using a mesh setup with both Flint 1 and Flint 2 solve these issues, or am I better off sticking with the AP mode?

  4. Lastly, I’ve got a long cable from the main router to the AP, which is connected to my PC, NAS, and nodes. Should I consider using a switchboard here instead?

Any advice or suggestions would be appreciated, especially on WiFi scheduling and ensuring a smooth transition from Flint 1 to Flint 2 without causing network headaches!

Thanks in advance!

2

Hi,

  1. The hardware platforms of Flint and Flint 2 are different, so the codes are different. I am not sure whether I can export from Flint backup and import it into Flint 2. For convenience, you can try it. If it doesn't work, just set one by one.
  2. In AP mode, you can also access the AP's (Flint) WebUI, but since it is already used as an AP, probably there is nothing to configure.
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WiFi schedule need to be manually set separately on Flint and Flint2

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  1. GL routers have not supported Mesh for the time being, but we are evaluating and considering adding this feature.
  2. When Flint is wired connect and as an AP, it still has 4 LAN ports available. If there are enough, the switch is not needed.
1 Like
4

Excellent, thanks for the swift response.

  1. I will try export Flint backup 1 and import into Flint 2. I suppose what I am really wanting to avoid is having to reset static IP's etc.

If it is manually replicating the settings in main router - flint 1 to flint 2... what is the best way to practically do that, if the backup / import doesn't work?

What should I be aware of to not replicate exactly? or would that be ok? e.g. if I set the Router Ip address as exactly the same (flint 2 as flint 1) -- because Flint 1 is going to become AP anyway?

Is it possible for Flint 2 to just slide on in... and all the LAN -> address reservation's remain the same?

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How to get a backup file? Or do I need to take screenshots? anyway to export the lan list?

  1. So what happens if I give them the same SSID? Same network name? Would that not just let them operate and devices go to the one with faster connection?
5

  1. This part of the DHCP reservation probably able to be export and import backup.
    If it involves unsupported configurations, you can only configure them one by one. stupid method Sorry but avoid mistakes.

  2. It should be connected the one which is the best signal

6

Thanks.

  1. I don't see where I can export of import the LAN / Mac address reservation stuff?
  2. So this is kind of a poor man's version of a 'mesh network' just call them the same name?
7

No. Mesh is waaaay more and better.

By naming APs the same, the device will decide which might be the better AP and connects to this. This isn't Mesh, it's just more or less "Repeating"

8

Ok, understood. But still works if I am using a Router and AP? Same names? Devices choose which is 'better'?

9

Ok, I am doing it manually...

I have got the Flint 2 --- powered up and no internet yet, but connecting via wifi on an ipad and updating each as it goes.

The LAN and mac address reservation thing - surely there is a better / another way to possibly define all these before I make the formal final switch? I want to make it seamless...

  1. Unplug Flint 1
  2. Plug in Flint 2 that has same settings
  3. Unplug TP Link Archer D9 (AP)
  4. Plug in Flint 1 as new AP

What happens if I do 1, then 2 - and none of the MAC addresses / IP's / etc. are set?
I have NAS, Plex, Sonos, VM's etc. that need static addresses.
They will remain on those and the same old IP's will come up? Or they will get assigned NEW IP's etc?

I just noticed the Ipad on the Flint 2 network, has a different mac address and a different IP. I made the IP the same.

Anything else to be aware of?

10

The closest to or better signal radio I think.

Don't worry too much about priorities 1 or 2.

As long as DHCP address reservation is configured, when the devices are reconnected later or offline/online, their IPs will become your configured IP.
It is better to configure address reservation first.

Probably your iPad's WIFI has enabled private MAC.

11

Are you suggesting I disable this - it will not automatically assign new IP's, and then I can manually configure it?

Or - I have the same start and end address for IP's and enabled currently... with just the iPad IP updated.

Adding a new reservation manually - I should copy across the MAC and IP and description and then that's good to go technically? (Besides e.g. apple giving Ipad new MAC?)

12

Problem connecting my PC to Flint 1.
Wanted to have Flint 1 admin page open, then change wifi connection to Flint 2 - and open new admin page, to then simply copy across. It wouldn't let me connect to Flint 2, although I can on my Ipad to change router settings (no internet yet).

I changed the router's IP - still didn't work.

13

Can‘t you just do screenshots?

14

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Well JFC that was a pain in the ass. And I only had like 20 to manually add (LAN -> Address Reservation).

For whatever reason wouldn't let me connect to the new Flint 2 router via a disconnected from ethernet pc usually connected to Flint 1. So I managed to manually add all the IP reservations on the ipad which could connect to the new Flint 2.

Does it matter if the MAC address is not in capitals at the start? Those few letters?

I think I'm ready to now try switching the Flint 2 with the Flint 1...
Then make the Flint 1, the Access Point... and replace the Archer D9.

15

Ok... I've done all this:

1. Unplug Flint 1
2. Plug in Flint 2 that has same settings
3. Unplug TP Link Archer D9 (AP)
4. Plug in Flint 1 as new AP

I changed the Flint 2 Router now - to avoid confusion, so having to for e.g. TV - put in new wifi.

What I am wondering if how to connect to the Flint 1 which is now connected in the place of the Archer D9 --- but I have not put it in AP mode yet? Should I just reset it?

It has the same IP address; so I can't connect directly... because Flint 2 is on that?

Wireless Access Point - Dumb Access Point - Examples

This section describes in detail how to configure your device as a wireless access point (AP) connected to an existing network with a main router. This is often called a dumb AP since it will not perform duties such as routing, firewall, DHCP, or DNS, as these would be performed by the router or other device.

This is commonly used to add additional wireless coverage to an existing network, maybe on a different floor or to cover a dead zone. This setup is sufficient for small home or office network, but for larger networks a more sophisticated approach is often used.

Overview of configuration for a Wireless AP:

  1. The wireless AP is connected LAN-to-LAN to the router by some means e.g. ethernet, 802.11s mesh, etc.
  2. The wireless AP bridges its SSID wireless interface to its LAN bridge interface. WiFi traffic goes to its bridge LAN interface, then to the main router.
  3. The wireless AP bridge LAN may have either a static or DHCP address on the same subnet as the main router bridge LAN interface.
  4. The wireless AP gateway IP address is set to the address of the main router, either in the configuration or by DHCP.
  5. The wireless AP does not provide services such as DHCP, DNS, or firewall as this is done on the main router or other device.
    https://openwrt.org/docs/guide-user/network/wifi/wifiextenders/bridgedap

Edit: The old wifi network was still being broadcast when I plugged in the non-reset Flint 1 in as AP. I can briefly access it but it tends to kick me off.

I need to know what to do with the Flint 1 interface, and Flint 2 (main router) - how can I set it up properly so the Flint 1 is the dumb wireless access point?

Edit II:

I realised I had to change the Flint 1 WAN to LAN. I can now be connected to Flint 2 router etc.

I am constantly being kicked though from the admin page... and I am unsure how I can change the IP of the Flint 1 (AP) now? I think this is part of the issue, although not directly connected (I take out the ethernet connection to the AP, and connect via Wifi to Flint 2 (main router) and vice versa.

16

Flint: Reset -> Plugin the wired cable to WAN -> Switch to AP access point (GL GUI -> Network -> Network Mode).

Flint 2: Get the Flint IP (for login the manage Web UI) in the GL GUI -> Clients.

1 Like
17

Ok, finally got there.

The Client names don't get brought across, although all on same system? :thinking:

18

Seems yes, the clients hostname which connected to the AP (Flint) did not display in the Main router(Flint 2).

This issue known, ask R&D to check, await.

Update: submitted this issue to R&D.

Update2: this is not issue confirmed with R&D and PM.

Main router:

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AP:
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19

I mean when looking at the AP list of clients, all the known names from main router area not there/unknown etc.

20

This should be by design. The AP will only know clients directly connected to it.

1 Like