Using internetbox2 as WLAN-Box

Gulleucheusch41

Hi,

I have recently switched to InternetBox3.

I was wondering if it's possible to re-purpose my Internetbox2 as a WLAN-Box/repeater? I tried plugging the internetbox2 to the wall ethernet socket but it doesn't seem to be able to access the internet.

Thanks in advance!

DomiP

Probably it should work. But i dont think that it is possible to repeat the Network by using WiFi on the IB2 to "repeat".

I think you should use a Wired Connection from the IB3 to the IB2 to forward the network.

Black Mamba

@Gulleucheusch41

to read WLAN-Repeater / IB3 from german Community

and to guarantee network compatibility it would be preferable to have a

WLAN-Box 2

On this page: Get technical information relating to the WLAN-Box and WLAN-Box 2 and find out how to change settings and take control of your energy consumption.

Device and ports

To improve WLAN reception, Swisscom offers the WLAN-Box; a home network accessory for the Internet-Box 3, Internet-Box 2, Internet-Box standard and Internet-Box plus. This increases the range of the existing WLAN network.

It can also be used to connect the Swisscom TV and Internet-Box and as a WLAN access point.

The WLAN-Box 2 supports the latest WLAN standard (Wi-Fi 6), providing noticeably higher WLAN speeds of up to 4.8 Gbit/s.

The WLAN Box 2 is also compatible with the older version of the WLAN Box.

The perforated side walls of the WLAN-Box 2 differentiate it visually from its predecessor, the WLAN-Box.

lucaberta

I believe that the OP is asking whether it is possible to repurpose an old Internet-box 2 and use it just as an wireless access point, and not as a router.

It could be interesting for me too, as I have just retired my IB2 and replaced it with a brand new Zyxel XMG3927-B50A, as written in this forum already.

Bye, Luca

Gulleucheusch41

Correct. Sorry if I was unclear in my original post.

Essentially I was hoping that I can plug the ethernet port of the IB2 to the wall (which is connected to the IB3) and use it as a router. But all I'm getting is a red light and no internet access.

I did check that the wall socket i'm connected to has internet connectivity.

lucaberta

Hi @Gulleucheusch41,

You are raising a very interesting point for me too, as I have just retired my old but still working IB2.

I have seen this work with other routers, so I will definitely try it out myself.

Like @DomiP says, I am sure that you have to have a wired connection between your real router, and one of the switch ports on the old IB2.

What remains to be seen is if the IB2 would correctly relay the IP packets received from the switch onto the wifi port.

I don't see why it wouldn't work, and if I can find a little time later today, I will go in the cellar and take the IB2 out of the box where I put it just a few days ago, reset it, reconfigure it, and test it.

I will report back to you on my testing.

Thanks for the great idea! 👍🏻🙏🏻

Bye, Luca

lucaberta

You have to have an ethernet port from the new router connected to one of the switched ports of the IB2, first of all. Nothing on the WAN port, especially in parallel with another working router!

The LED might remain red, I don't know the logic of that LED, but if it is linked the status of the WAN port, it will remain red as there will be NO connection on the WAN port.

Like I said in the message I wrote while you were writing yours, I should be able to test this later today, and will let you know.

Bye, Luca

Gulleucheusch41

Thanks Luca.

I got it working now. I was plugging the ethernet cable to the purple port because I thought it was "Internet In". I just plugged it to one of the yellow ports and it works now.

Anyways, for anyone who might be looking to re-purpose an IB2 as a router. I took the following steps:

1) Factory reset IB2

2) Plug ethernet cable from wall socket (which is connected to IB3) to one of IB2's yellow port.

lucaberta

Great news @Gulleucheusch41, congrats on reviving the old IB2 box! 😉

The one thing I would suggest you to check is that the LAN IP address on the IB2 does NOT conflict with the one from the new router, as the defaults might overlap, and you would NOT be able to access the web interface to configure wifi on the IB2 box.

The DHCP server on the IB2 must also be switched off, as having 2 different DHCP servers on the same LAN is asking for troubles... 😂🤣

May I ask you what color the LED is now?

If it's red, then it represents the status of the WAN link. If it's white, then the IB2 checks to see if there is internet connectivity, which there will be via the new default gateway which is the new router. These are just educated guesses of mine, of course!

Anyway, good job! 👍🏻

And thanks for sharing and giving me a new idea! 🙏🏻

Ciao, Luca

Gulleucheusch41

Thanks for all the useful information Luca.

Interestingly, my IB3's connection became very unstable after I got the IB2 working.

I tried to disable the DHCP server on the IB2 as you suggested but it didn't solve the issue. I'll tinker more with it tonight and report back. Need to get back to work 🙂

The LED was still red and blinking. That is most likely because I haven't set it up properly though.

I'll update my post if I can get it all sorted out.

Gulleucheusch41

Please see @lucaberta 's excellent post if you're looking to re-purpose your old IB or IB2 to use as a wifi-access point.

Key point is to disable DHCP by unchecking "Activate IP address distribution (DHCP)" in the "Network->Settings" page within the internetbox.

Destauneu27

Hello, i followed your instructions.

as I factory reseted my IB2, it appears at internet-box-245678. In order to connect I need to place a password which is not the one for my network.

which password should i use/ get it from? Thank you

r00t

Hi @Destauneu27

The default password for the internet-box GUI is 1234

Best,

r00t