If you are experiencing frequent stream drops, zones not appearing in the VSSL app and/or casting menus, weird volume control, or other issues regarding any network process, there may be some settings that need to be adjusted on your router.
Because VSSL units utilize your network for a variety of processes and features, your network is a very important factor in the overall operation of a VSSL device. If it's not configured properly, you WILL have issues.
Note: We have multiple warnings on our products that highlight the importance of configuring your network BEFORE installation.
This article will cover best practices and the suggested settings in order to reduce the possibility of connection issues with your VSSL zones, the VSSL app, and streaming disruptions. Due to the advancement of technology within the networking space, each networking product (WiFi routers, switches, access points, mesh points, etc...) comes with its own default settings and prescribed network topology.
New Installation Steps
When installing a VSSL amplifier into an existing network, follow these steps:
- DO NOT install your VSSL device before checking your network
- Analyze your existing network topology and follow "Network Topology Best Practices" section.
- Login to your network equipment (see "Equipment Access Instructions" section)
- Make adjustments according to specific and general network settings sections
- Reboot your networking equipment
- Now you are ready to install your VSSL device and start ROCKING!
Note: For VSSL's already installed and experiencing connection and playback issues, be sure to turn off the VSSL before making network changes. Once changes have been made to the network and the network has been rebooted, turn on all VSSL units and perform a factory reset. This is necessary as the VSSL needs to recognize the changes that have been made on the network.
Basic Network Recommendations
- Recommended - Download speeds of at least 1Mbps
- Not Recommended - Satellite Internet
- Not Recommended - 3G/4G/LTE Hotspot or Cellular Internet
- Not Recommended - Routers without Internet
- Not Supported - Guest WiFi networks
- Not Supported - Shared Networks
- Not Supported - CenturyLink's C4000 Modem/Router (Is not compatible with Google Home/Google Cast)
Network Topology Best Practices
- In homes with access points, it is recommended that an AP controller be present and all access points be consolidated to a single switch. The VSSL should be installed within that same switch.
- In homes with a switch, ensure the switch is placed downstream from the router.
- In homes with 2 routers (e.g., modem/router combo unit from ISP and 3rd party router) ensure the ISP router is placed in "Bridge Mode" in order to avoid a Double NAT.
- Do not connect your VSSL via Ethernet cable to access points, mesh points, network extenders, or powerline adapters. THIS WILL CAUSE ISSUES
Network Equipment Access Instructions
Every router is different. Even routers made by the same manufacturer may use different configuration tools, depending on the model. It is very important to consult the product manual that corresponds with your exact router model. Most modern routers provide an administration Control Panel that can be accessed through your web browser. To connect to this web interface:
- Connect a computer to your local network either wirelessly or with an Ethernet connection directly to your router.
- Open a new browser window and navigate to your routers local IP address (eg. 192.168.0.1, 10,0,0,1 etc...)
- Enter the administrator credentials of the router - these settings are frequently still set to factory default. Consult the manual for more information regarding access to your router.
Once settings have been changed within the network, ensure that the network is fully powered down and restarted. Also, ensure that the VSSL amplifier has been restarted after the network settings have taken. In some cases, the VSSL amplifier may require a factory reset after adjusting the network.
Suggested General Router Settings
- Ensure the router has the most up-to-date firmware installed
- Avoid Double NAT when using 3rd party router/mesh system by placing the ISP router in "Bridge Mode" (e.g., Google, Eero)
- Ensure that the Ethernet (patch) cable is fully functional Note: Ethernet cables commonly degrade over time. It's not very common but they can be faulty even if they are brand new.
- Separate the 2.4GHz and 5GHz WiFi bands and ensure that they maintain different SSID's
- Enable "UPnP" (Universal Plug and Play)
- When using access points, disable "AP Isolation" or "Client Isolation"
- Enable "Multicasting" (Multicast terminology differs between router companies)
- When using Apple devices, enable "Bonjour" or "ZeroConf Discovery"
- Disable "IPv6" and only use "IPv4"
- Enable "IGMP" (Internet Group Management Protocol)
- Note: Ensure managed switches and access point controllers follow the same network suggestions as detailed above
Specific Product Suggestions
-
Araknis
- Enable "Multicast Passthrough"
- Ensure "UPnP" and "Bonjour Client" are enabled
-
Bell
- Disable "Whole Home WiFi"
- Separate 2.4 and 5GHz bands
-
Eero
- Enable "UPnP"
- Disable "IPv6"
- Enable "Optimize for Conferencing and Gaming"
- Place ISP router in "Bridge Mode"
-
Google (WiFi or Nest WiFi)
-
Place ISP in "Bridge Mode"
- https://support.google.com/googlenest/answer/6240987?hl=en&visit_id=638519950599438574-864039775&rd=1 (See section called "Enable Bridge Mode on Your ISP-provided Modem/Router")
-
Place ISP in "Bridge Mode"
-
Linksys
- In Firewall settings, uncheck "Filter Multicast"
- Enable "IGMP Snooping"
-
Luxul
- Enable "IGMP Snooping" and "Unregistered IPMCv4 Flooding" (managed switches)
- Enable "UPnP" (managed switches)
-
Netgear (NightHawk or Orbi)
- Enable "IGMP Proxying"
- Enable "UPnP" and increase "Advertisement time to live in hops" to at least 10
- For Orbi mesh system, place ISP router in "Bridge Mode"
-
Ruckus
- Check "Enable Bonjour Gateway on AP"
-
Spectrum
- Enable "UPnP"
- Adjust "Advertisement Time To Live" to at least 10 hops
- Disable "IPv6"
- Change the DNS server from ISP Default to Google's (8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4)
- Uncheck "Same as 2.4GHz" under 5GHz SSID set up
- Uncheck "Block WAN Ping" (or allow for "Response to Ping Request from WAN" on newer routers)
- Enable "IPv4 Multicast Route" (Newer routers)
- Enable "IGMP" and "IGMP/MLD Snooping" (Newer routers)
- Ubiquiti UniFi
Change the following settings from their default to:
-
- WiFi - Disable "Band Steering"
- Network - Enable "IGMP Snooping"
- Internet - Enable "UPnP"
Confirm the following settings:
-
- WiFi - "Multicast Management" should be enabled
- WiFi - "Multicast and Broadcast Control" should be disabled
- WiFi - "Client Device Isolation" should be disabled
- Networks - "Multicast DNS" should be enabled
- Networks - "IPv6" should be disabled or set to "None"
- Internet - "IPv6 Connection" should be disabled
-
XFinity
- Advanced Tap - Device Discovery - Change "Time To Live" from 5 to 10 hops
- Advanced Tap - Device Discovery - Enable "Zero Config"
Port Information
- Zone discovery occurs over multicast UDP on ports 1800 and 1900
- The VSSL app communicates with the VSSL amplifier over all zones on ports 7777 and 50002
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