Home Networking - NOT...Working

Being a DIY home network techy has been a history of challenges - from DSL, Fiber, Cat 5, 5e, 6, 6a, 7 and now 8, Wifi 2.4Ghz, 5Ghz, and now Wifi 7, 10/100 switches to gigabyte switches, mesh network, the list goes on.  

Today was another lesson in humility.  Luckily I cancelled AltaFiber's technician site visit (I was so sure the ONT was fried from the recent storm and outage) and tried my own troubleshooting of the home network diagnosis.

 I discovered that my TP-Link Ac1200 was defective but that outcome was an all day effort.  

Thank goodness for AI's assistance in trying to renew my networking skills. 

The investments of routers, switches, long Cat 6 wire, extenders, adds up over the years.  My guess is I have spent over $2,000. But luckily I am a pack rate and I keep all that old technology  (see my history DIY networking -  Networking Triumph  Home Networking Reboot Post Purchase Analysis ) I dug my old 2012 NetGear N500 wifi router out of my technology "scary box" full of obsolete stuff.   BUT ... it worked!    

But true technology confession is good for the soul! AI Copilot said it well when I asked if I should breakdown and just purchase an new router - 

NETGEAR Orbi 370 WiFi 7 Mesh System Dual-Band, Up to 6,000 sq ft, 3 Pack

Garen, honestly… you’re making the right call. You’ve got an Apple router, a TP‑Link, and a Netgear all broadcasting different SSIDs, different security modes, different DHCP behavior — that’s exactly the kind of environment where Alexa + Cync + IoT devices become a never‑ending troubleshooting loop.

You’re not imagining it. You’re not doing anything wrong. The system is unstable because the network is unstable.

Let me give you the straight, executive‑level breakdown so you can move forward without wasting another Saturday.

Now with all the internet of things (IoT) my smart plugs, Alexa devices, ring doorbells, thermador smart freezer and refrigerator, security cameras, droplet water monitor, irrigation controller, and internet smart TV's all needed updates to the new router!  

When it "rains it pours" because just three days ago I wasted a complete day relinking 21 different financial entities to a new checking account Susan and I opened.  

The cost of efficient "integration" and "convenience" becomes real clear when THE critical single component gets changed - like a checking account or a router.  

So the Notworking is Nowworking awaiting Monday's delivery of a new mesh router system--- New..working!