Apex Fusion not connecting to internet
- Thread starter griss
- Start date
Sorry Ned, for some reason I thought you were familiar with Apex. I have an Apex Jr with the following components connected to it:
- Temperature Probe
- PM1 Module (for monitoring pH) with a pH probe
- LSM Module (for lunar simulation) with 2-string lunar LEDs
- (2) EB8 Energy Bars - I have my return pump, heaters, lights, etc all plugged into the EB8s
The Apex is connected to my router via a LAN cable. I usually use the Apex Fusion App (on my iPhone XR) to view temperature, pH, and to turn items (like pumps) on and off manually as needed for maintenance.
About once a month, when I open the Fusion app, I get the message, "Apex Disconnected - This Apex isn't presently connected to Fusion." Usually, when this happens, I unplug the Apex and both EB8s for a couple of minutes, plug them back in and the issue is resolved. However, yesterday, doing this and also rebooting my router didn't resolve the issue.
Another way I can access the Apex is via Apex Classic Dashboard. This is done by putting the IP address of the Apex into a web browser either on my phone or on the computer. Whenever I haven't been able to connect to the Apex via the Fusion app, I've always been able to connect using Apex Classis via a browser using the Apex's IP address. Yesterday and today, I'm unable to access the dashboard via Safari (phone) or the browser (computer).
I've gone to Apex's forums to search for help but, I don't really understand a lot of the technical advice people are giving there. I'm just not very computer/network savvy and most of the answers there look like gibberish to me.
- Temperature Probe
- PM1 Module (for monitoring pH) with a pH probe
- LSM Module (for lunar simulation) with 2-string lunar LEDs
- (2) EB8 Energy Bars - I have my return pump, heaters, lights, etc all plugged into the EB8s
The Apex is connected to my router via a LAN cable. I usually use the Apex Fusion App (on my iPhone XR) to view temperature, pH, and to turn items (like pumps) on and off manually as needed for maintenance.
About once a month, when I open the Fusion app, I get the message, "Apex Disconnected - This Apex isn't presently connected to Fusion." Usually, when this happens, I unplug the Apex and both EB8s for a couple of minutes, plug them back in and the issue is resolved. However, yesterday, doing this and also rebooting my router didn't resolve the issue.
Another way I can access the Apex is via Apex Classic Dashboard. This is done by putting the IP address of the Apex into a web browser either on my phone or on the computer. Whenever I haven't been able to connect to the Apex via the Fusion app, I've always been able to connect using Apex Classis via a browser using the Apex's IP address. Yesterday and today, I'm unable to access the dashboard via Safari (phone) or the browser (computer).
I've gone to Apex's forums to search for help but, I don't really understand a lot of the technical advice people are giving there. I'm just not very computer/network savvy and most of the answers there look like gibberish to me.
wvned
Well-known member
I scanned the docs and it is complicated. So dont feel bad.
Do you have a display? Can you see the IP address in the Apex?
Fusion doesn't work means you Apex isnt talking to the net.
Classic doesnt work means it isnt talking on your local network either. So bad ethernet cable is easiest answer. Beyond that are unusual problems like IP address conflicts and things.
Can you log into your routher to see info in it?
Do you have a display? Can you see the IP address in the Apex?
Fusion doesn't work means you Apex isnt talking to the net.
Classic doesnt work means it isnt talking on your local network either. So bad ethernet cable is easiest answer. Beyond that are unusual problems like IP address conflicts and things.
Can you log into your routher to see info in it?
Thanks Ned. I do have a display and can view the IP address of the Apex in the display. The ethernet cable is fairly new (less than a year old), could it still be an issue?
Re: logging into my router, I'm not sure exactly how to do that. Is that putting the router's IP address into a web browser? If so, I can check that when I get home tonight since I'm at work now.
wvned
Well-known member
LOL
You log into a router the same way you log into an Apex. IP address in a browser will produce a login window. User name and password. Some internet providers give you this and some dont.
From what I remember you have the apex plugged into a port on your router. I would change the cable first.
You log into a router the same way you log into an Apex. IP address in a browser will produce a login window. User name and password. Some internet providers give you this and some dont.
From what I remember you have the apex plugged into a port on your router. I would change the cable first.
Thanks, I told you I'm not very tech savvy.
That said, the router is in the second story of the house and the Apex is in the basement...it's a pretty long cable. I wonder, instead of replacing the cable, if I could take a laptop down there, plug the cable into it and see if the internet works. That should tell me if the cable is good.
Okay, I think I determined it’s a bad ethernet cable. I took a laptop to the basement, turned off the laptop WiFi, unplugged the cable from the Apex, plugged it into the laptop and can’t get internet.
So, now I need to figure out how to get the Apex back to a WiFi connection without being able to access the classic dashboard or fusion. Everything I’m reading starts with hitting the reset button. However, that’s for newer model Apex units, mine doesn’t have a reset button.
Or, I need to buy another long cable, and snake it through the walls like I did with this one from the 2nd story down to the basement. That will involve time in the attic in what is very cold temps.
If anyone knows how to set the Apex back to WiFi, I’d greatly appreciate it.
So, now I need to figure out how to get the Apex back to a WiFi connection without being able to access the classic dashboard or fusion. Everything I’m reading starts with hitting the reset button. However, that’s for newer model Apex units, mine doesn’t have a reset button.
Or, I need to buy another long cable, and snake it through the walls like I did with this one from the 2nd story down to the basement. That will involve time in the attic in what is very cold temps.
If anyone knows how to set the Apex back to WiFi, I’d greatly appreciate it.
Definitely a bad cable. I took a different cable and connected the Apex to the WiFi extender and can now access the Classic Dashboard via a web browser.
Still unable to connect on the Fusion app. Either later tonight or tomorrow I’ll try the unplug everything and plug back in to see if that works.
Still unable to connect on the Fusion app. Either later tonight or tomorrow I’ll try the unplug everything and plug back in to see if that works.
I need to buy a lottery ticket. I got Fusion app figured out. A combination of things finally got it working.
I had the router IP address as the DNS. Changed that to 8.8.8.8.
I didn’t not have a secondary DNS input. Changed that to 4.2.2.1
I also, somehow, had a wrong gateway put in the dashboard. Corrected that.
I’m not that I know what any of that really means, but….
Correcting that still didn’t get fixed. So, on a whim, I turned DHCP back on (again, have no idea what that means/does) but, that was the final item that got the Fusion app working again.
I had the router IP address as the DNS. Changed that to 8.8.8.8.
I didn’t not have a secondary DNS input. Changed that to 4.2.2.1
I also, somehow, had a wrong gateway put in the dashboard. Corrected that.
I’m not that I know what any of that really means, but….
Correcting that still didn’t get fixed. So, on a whim, I turned DHCP back on (again, have no idea what that means/does) but, that was the final item that got the Fusion app working again.
wvned
Well-known member
DHCP stands for dynamic host configuration protocol. It assigns the correct values for an IP connection including those you fixed automatically to anything that wants to join a network. It also makes sure no devices get duplicate IP addresses.
DNS lets devices use names instead of IP addresses by translating names into addresses for them.
Glad you fixed it.
DNS lets devices use names instead of IP addresses by translating names into addresses for them.
Glad you fixed it.
shred5
Premium Member
Sorry I have not been on in a while. I really am not a expert on the Apex. I still have a classic but I had issues so I mainly use the Hydros. Just easier.
I do some IT work though.
wvned described it well.
I will try to explain it too, sometimes one way may click or confuse you more.
With DHCP the router assigns the info to your device to get that device on your network.
Static IP means you assign the info.
The difference is every time you reboot your device it may be assigned a different ip address with DHCP.
With static it is the same every time which is useful in allot of situations.
A IP address is like the address on your house. It allow everything on the network to find something.
If you use static you need to have a range of addresses set up in your router for static ip's.
This does require some networking knowledge to do.
I do some IT work though.
wvned described it well.
I will try to explain it too, sometimes one way may click or confuse you more.
With DHCP the router assigns the info to your device to get that device on your network.
Static IP means you assign the info.
The difference is every time you reboot your device it may be assigned a different ip address with DHCP.
With static it is the same every time which is useful in allot of situations.
A IP address is like the address on your house. It allow everything on the network to find something.
If you use static you need to have a range of addresses set up in your router for static ip's.
This does require some networking knowledge to do.
My router lets you "reserve" an IP for any connected device. DHCP assigns the IP but if you choose the reserve option for a specific device, it always assigns the same one. It makes it brain-dead easy.
wvned
Well-known member
DHCP uses a concept called a "lease" with lease time. All network devices in the world, have a unique numerical identifier called a MAC address. DHCP keeps a MAC address associated with a particular IP address for the lease time and automatically renews the lease time as long as the device is on, so a device always on a network keeps the same IP address. This has made the need for static IP addresses almost nonexistent.
It may also explain why your network capable printer needs to be found as a device in Windows if you keep it turned off except for when you use it infrequently.
If a device like your friend's phone comes to your house and then leaves not to be there again for weeks, the lease time expires and the association between it's network MAC address and an IP address is erased and it will be given a new one from the pool of addresses DHCP uses when it comes again. It may or may not be the same one.
You can look in a router and determine a device's IP address by reading the lease table if you can find the MAC address. It is usually found on the label of a network device.
Static IPs are created by making the number of IP addresses administrated by DHCP less than the number available on the network. This leaves some numbers you can type into an adapter that will stay there, and DHCP will never assign them to anything else or try to use them in any way.
All this network stuff is hard but it isnt. Just detailed. One wrong character in a form and its broke.
You can look at any device on a network like your phone and find the correct answer to all the lines on the form above except the last 1-3 digits of the IP address that will be unique to each device. Once put in manually, it will stay that way until set back to automatic DHCP.
Just an old phone guy that had to fix miles long wires for communication outside and make computers work in a 911 environment and cell towers communicate with the world from the middle of nowhere and set up communication centers if the president visited and let headquarters call Ranger Bob in his jeep in the next county over on the radio from the right tower.
In WV, our work group was like the Seal Team 6 of communications. In a night you could go from one side of the state to the other, making things work that had to. Many 30 hour work days.
Plus large phone system installations of medical and government facilities. An IP phone in China that worked on a phone system in WV for a wood products company.
Which is all fine until your brain throws a rod and cracks the block, so to speak.
Some would not try because in many instances you are personally liable if you cause someone to be harmed by dropping a vital communication.
Not a job for everyone.
It may also explain why your network capable printer needs to be found as a device in Windows if you keep it turned off except for when you use it infrequently.
If a device like your friend's phone comes to your house and then leaves not to be there again for weeks, the lease time expires and the association between it's network MAC address and an IP address is erased and it will be given a new one from the pool of addresses DHCP uses when it comes again. It may or may not be the same one.
You can look in a router and determine a device's IP address by reading the lease table if you can find the MAC address. It is usually found on the label of a network device.
Static IPs are created by making the number of IP addresses administrated by DHCP less than the number available on the network. This leaves some numbers you can type into an adapter that will stay there, and DHCP will never assign them to anything else or try to use them in any way.
All this network stuff is hard but it isnt. Just detailed. One wrong character in a form and its broke.
You can look at any device on a network like your phone and find the correct answer to all the lines on the form above except the last 1-3 digits of the IP address that will be unique to each device. Once put in manually, it will stay that way until set back to automatic DHCP.
Just an old phone guy that had to fix miles long wires for communication outside and make computers work in a 911 environment and cell towers communicate with the world from the middle of nowhere and set up communication centers if the president visited and let headquarters call Ranger Bob in his jeep in the next county over on the radio from the right tower.
In WV, our work group was like the Seal Team 6 of communications. In a night you could go from one side of the state to the other, making things work that had to. Many 30 hour work days.
Plus large phone system installations of medical and government facilities. An IP phone in China that worked on a phone system in WV for a wood products company.
Which is all fine until your brain throws a rod and cracks the block, so to speak.
Some would not try because in many instances you are personally liable if you cause someone to be harmed by dropping a vital communication.
Not a job for everyone.
