Many devices state they are only compatible with 2.4 GHz networks or may prevent you from connecting them if your mobile is currently connected on 5 GHz. Usually, these devices tend to be IoT devices that require you to use their app to set up the Wi-Fi connection for the device.
The Vast majority of these devices will connect to Plume without issue. However, since Plume SSIDs broadcast on both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz simultaneously, you may run into a situation where some of these devices are unable to join your Plume network because of their simplified Wi-Fi implementation.
Workarounds
- Contact Plume Support by phone.
- We may be able to force your mobile device to connect on 2.4 GHz temporarily, so you can complete the IoT device setup.
- Depending on how many of these devices you intend to connect, the process may take a bit of time and cannot be completed over email.
- Use a 2.4 GHz only mobile device to run the device's App and complete setup.
- Since your mobile device is connected on 2.4 GHz, this can sometimes allow the App to continue with the setup process.
- Once set up, you can usually continue to operate the device using your regular mobile.
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Android users can force the mobile to connect on 2.4 GHz and once connected on 2.4 GHz, you set up the device.
- Android 7 or higher
- Download and install Wifi Analyzer by Farproc the Android device.
- Forget the Plume network on the Android device.
- Open Wifi Analyzer and swipe right until you get to the AP List page or use the VIEW button on the top of the screen and then select the AP List.
- Get close to the IoT device being installed.
- You will see several pods broadcasting on different bands.
- Tap on the signal with the Plume network name.
- This will display a list with all the AP and channels available to connect. Ask the customer to connect on the strongest one broadcasting on a 2.4 GHz channel (1,6,11) and choose Connect.
- Enter the Wi-Fi password and then the phone will now be connected on 2.4 GHz to that pod.
- Use the IoT device App to set up the device.
- Once the devices are connected, forget the network on your Android device.
- Repeat steps 3-9 if there are other devices to be connected through your home. If no other devices need to be connected proceed to step 12.
- Once all devices are installed, forget the network once again and connect your mobile back to the Plume network using the Wi-Fi settings on the phone.
Important: If this last step is not followed, the mobile will always stay connected to the same BSSID and will not roam. - Make sure that the customer knows that because the IoT software is actually using the BBSID to connect, that each device will now always connect to their respective "assigned" pod. They should keep this in mind when moving these devices and pods around.
Twin Network
A Twin network can be set up using a Windows computer, an Android phone, or an old wireless router. This will allow the device to learn the Plume network information to, later on, connect automatically to Plume.
On this workaround, you will need to create a twin network using the "Mobile Hotspot" option of an Android device or a Windows computer or creating it directly from a Wi-Fi router. This means that you will need to use the exact same SSID (Network name) and password and then configure this "Hotspot" only on 2.4GHz.1. Configure the Twin network.
Windows Computer Mobile Hotspot Configuration
A. Select the Start button, then select Settings > Network & Internet > Mobile hotspot.
B. Go to the "Edit" button.
C. On the "Network name" you should add the same name as the one being used for the Plume network.
D. On the "Network password" you should add the same password as the one being used for the Home zone.
E. "Network band" should be set to 2.4GHz and then click "Save".
F. Turn on the Mobile Hotspot.
Android Mobile Hotspot Configuration
A. Swipe down from the top of the screen.
B. On this menu you should look for the Hotspot option. If you don’t find Hotspot, at the bottom, tap Edit or the Pencil icon and drag Hotspot into your Quick Settings.
C. Long press over the Hotspot icon to access the settings
D. Once on the Hotspot & Tethering menu, you should access the "Wi-Fi hotspot" section.
E. From this menu, you should edit hotspot information.
- Hotspot name = Exact same name as the Plume network.- Security = WPA2 PSK
- Hotspot password = Exact same password used for the Home zone of the Plume network.F. Click on Advanced.
G. From the advanced menu, you should make sure that the AP Band has been set to 2.4 GHz.
H. Turn on the Hotspot.
Wi-Fi Router Configuration
A. Access your router GUI (Graphic User Interface), usually done by typing the IP address of the router on a web browser.
B. Configure the SSID (network name) using the exact same name as the Plume network and then for the password used for the Home zone of the Plume network.
C. Go to the Wi-Fi or Wireless section and disable the 5 GHz frequency leaving only enabled the 2.4 GHz frequency.
D. Make sure the network is now up.
IMPORTANT: This configuration will vary depending on the model and brand of the router. You can check the router manufacturer manual for further information on how to perform the configuration.
2. Once the Twin network is up and running, go to the Plume app, go to the main menu, and then go to the Access menu. Here you will need to add one extra character to the network name (usually adding a number 1 after the network name is good enough). Then click Done.
WARNING: Once you save the changes this will cause that all the devices connected to the Plume network will disconnect from it and then automatically connect to the Twin network that was previously created.
3. Confirm that the phone with the IoT device app installed on it has successfully connected to the Twin network.
4. Proceed with the onboarding of the IoT device.
5. Once the IoT device has been successfully configured, the next step will be to go back to the Plume app and then change the network name back to how it was before the change. Then click Done.
6. Proceed to turn off the Hotspot and that will cause that the devices will automatically disconnect from the Twin network and then connect back to the Plume network including the IoT device that was just configured. - Android 7 or higher