Frequent Visitor
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5 Messages
Pods (Generation 1) will not work if you don't broadcast your WiFi Name
If you have Generation 1 Pods you must broadcast your WiFi Name as of about 4 days ago.
I've spent a lot of time over the past 3 days trying to figure out why all of a sudden I was unable to connect to my WiFi or internet when using a pod. After my 3rd call with an xfinity rep, they changed my WiFi to broadcast it's name and now the pods all work fine. An illogical fix but it does work.
The original problem manifests itself when you try to connect to your WiFi when near a pod. The iPhone WiFi screen spins, eventually displays a "no internet connection", and will eventually fail. Occassionally it does connect to the WiFi but will not have internet access. If I stand next to my gateway or unplug all the pods, I can easily connect to the WiFi and internet.
Things that make you go hmmmmm ...
Ever since I've had a WiFi I've not broadcast the WiFi name because of security concerns. About 2 months ago, I bought a WiFi connected picture frame which wouldn't allow you to manually enter the WiFi name. I tried to configure my WiFi both by using xFi and going to localhost admin screen and the ability to broadcast the WiFi name had been disabled by xfinity. This was confirmed by the xfinity support contact as well. No you have the ability to turn broadcast on and off once again but if you have pods you must leave it on.
darkangelic
Gold Problem Solver
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2K Messages
5 years ago
Of course they won't work. The main purpose of the Pods is to provide multiple access points around your home so that devices can connect to the node with the strongest and most stable connection. Disabling SSID broadcasting will defeat that purpose, rendering the Pods essentially useless.
Besides, I"m not sure why you have security concerns as a home user. Disabling SSID broadcasting might deter a random drive by WiFi moocher, but a strong password will work just as well. Plus it won't stop a determined thief from breaking into your network.
https://www.howtogeek.com/howto/28653/debunking-myths-is-hiding-your-wireless-ssid-really-more-secure/
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BobFromTheBurgh
Frequent Visitor
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5 Messages
5 years ago
I only posted this to help others who may have encountered the same problem.
I've used these pods for over 2 years without broadcasting my WiFi name. I bought them when I move my gateway from my office, which is now a guest bedroom, to the other end of the house.
Not sure why you believe they aren't still providing the benefits as advertised just because I'm not broadcasting my WiFi name. Anyone I want can still access my WiFi once I provide the WiFi name and password. If they are at the other end of the house from the gateway, they recieve 50Mb speed rather than a unsteady 5Mb speed without the pods due to the distance from the gateway. I don't see any correlation between the benefits of pods and the broadcasting of WiFi name. Two totally different solutions until 4 days ago.
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