Failed Intercommunication Among Local Network Devices on the Same Wi-Fi Frequency

[cedric108]

I have multiple updates below, please check my latest reply.

Dear Netduma Team,

I have just received my R3, this is my first Netduma product, I am satisfied with my purchase, but I am currently experiencing a weird issue and I need your help.

Some mobile apps provide a Wi-Fi server feature, essentially functioning as a local HTTP server for sharing files, a feature you must have already used previously. However, after having switched to R3, I am unable to establish a connection from my computer to my iPad at its IP address, in this case 10.0.1.86 (I've adjusted the settings to use the 10.0.x.x range), 80 is the default port, I have already tried other ports.

I've tried multiple apps on both my iPad and iPhone, but none of them seem to be effective.

On the other hand, Apple AirDrop (wireless) works fine and my Synology NAS (wire) can be accessed using its local IP address in any browser.

I don't use VLAN, there is no ISP router either.

Thanks in advance.

Edited December 21, 2023 by cedric108
Make the title clear

[cedric108]

I also tried the SMB file sharing protocol. My iPad can't connect to my Mac with SMB enabled, but it can connect to my NAS. The difference is my Mac is connected to Wi-Fi and my NAS is hard wired.

I will buy a USB-C to Ethernet dongle to do more tests.

ps.

1. The default 192.168.77.x range (if I remember correctly) has also been tested, not working.

2. If you want to reproduce this issue, I recommend to download an iOS app called nPlayer Lite, it's a free video player with local file sharing feature through http. Just tap + and choose Using Browser.

[cedric108]

I think devices under same Wi-Fi frequency can’t see each other, as reported by

https://forum.netduma.com/topic/52834-wifi-client-isolation-issue/

Another post talking about a similar issue https://forum.netduma.com/topic/52879-issues-with-r3-connecting-to-home-pods/

[cedric108]

New Update:

I tested with an old phone with only 2.4GHz Wi-Fi support. It worked, the phone can see my iPad on 5GHz band.

I can confirm that my issue is exactly as same as https://forum.netduma.com/topic/52834-wifi-client-isolation-issue/

Please help.

[cedric108]

Steps to reproduce:

1. Connect two devices wirelessly to R3's Wi-Fi, make sure they use the same Wi-Fi frequency, either both 5GHz or both 2.4GHz.
2. Ping each other.

Expected result:

Both devices should be able to communicate with each other.

Actual result:

They can't communicate with each other.

Firmware versions tested: v4.0.19 and v4.0.20

Remarks:

• 2.4GHz <-> 5GHz works.
• WLAN <-> LAN works.
• I haven't tested two wired devices.

This is a serious issue, it would impact local file sharing, smart home devices, printers, wireless debugging, etc. Please help.

[Netduma Fraser]

Firstly thank you very much for identifying the issue and providing easy to follow reproduceable steps, this really helps the development team identify the issue quickly and speeds up a potential fix, I will certainly pass this on to them as well as the other topic you mentioned.

Just as a test, could you make traffic rules for the affected devices to allow ALL traffic to them and see if they work the way you want them to then please?

[cedric108]

1 hour ago, Netduma Fraser said:

Firstly thank you very much for identifying the issue and providing easy to follow reproduceable steps, this really helps the development team identify the issue quickly and speeds up a potential fix, I will certainly pass this on to them as well as the other topic you mentioned.

Just as a test, could you make traffic rules for the affected devices to allow ALL traffic to them and see if they work the way you want them to then please?

Hello, I did the test.

Please check the attached screenshot. I created a rule that allows all traffic to all devices (a rule that only applies to my laptop and my iPad also tested).

Unfortunately it didn't solve the problem.

By the way, I also tested with SmartQoS disabled and Steady Ping disabled, still not working.

Based on my knowledge, certain routers, such as Netgear, Asus, and Ubiquiti, have a feature known as AP Isolation or Client Isolation. This security feature, typically intended for guest networks, prevents local devices from communicating with each other. This issue reminds me of AP Isolation. It's possible that, in the current firmware, this feature was unintentionally enabled for the main network.

I am grateful for the continued active support from the Netduma team, especially appreciated during the busy holiday season. Thank you again.

ps. some results of pining two wireless devices from my laptop (5GHz). 10.0.1.182 is my iPad, 5GHz as well, packets were all lost. 10.0.1.159 is my 2.4GHz phone, which is reachable from my laptop. 

[Netduma Fraser]

Thank you for this, having a look over some correspondence I believe we have identified the issue (manifested in a different way to you), I'm hoping we can get a fix available tomorrow but it may be in the new year due to the holiday season.

[Spdsk8race]

Is there a new update that's been pushed, .21 ? I don't see the option is available to update 

[PharmDawgg]

1 hour ago, Spdsk8race said:

Is there a new update that's been pushed, .21 ? I don't see the option is available to update 

The only difference between .20 vs .21 is it fixes the vlan id issue. Also the devs haven't pushed it to the public domain yet.  

[cedric108]

9 hours ago, Netduma Fraser said:

Thank you for this, having a look over some correspondence I believe we have identified the issue (manifested in a different way to you), I'm hoping we can get a fix available tomorrow but it may be in the new year due to the holiday season.

Thank you. No hurry, enjoy your holiday season.

[Netduma Fraser]

10 hours ago, Spdsk8race said:

Is there a new update that's been pushed, .21 ? I don't see the option is available to update 

As Pharm mentioned above

1 hour ago, cedric108 said:

Thank you. No hurry, enjoy your holiday season.

Thank you, you too!