Linux Device offline in Google Wifi (Home)

[abellaj]

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Original Poster:Derrick E

My current network consists of a modem from my ISP, routed to a TPOnHub with 3 NestWifi pucks.  After the OnHub is a switch for hard-wired devices.

I am running a home server, it's an Arch Linux distro, connected through ethernet to this switch. I use this server primarily as a home media server, but recently I've started using it as a gaming server for some friends and me. I managed to set up port forwarding and they seem to be working, but I've gotten some complaints that my friends "can't see the server" anymore.

When I go into port forwarding to check, I notice that the saved rules don't display an IP address any longer, only the named device. When I go to devices, it shows as offline!  Even though clearly the device is online.  The only way I can get it to show up again is to restart the network and also to restart that server. 

I considered running a normal router before the Google network, but I don't want double NAT and I've learned that you can't use the mesh network in bridge mode, so I'd have to configure each puck to work independently, which would defeat the purpose of having a mesh network.

I really don't want to go buy a whole other traditional router/mesh setup, considering I've spent a lot of money investing in all these google products. But this isn't the first time I've had issues with Google/Nest Wifi/Home and devices. 

Does anybody have any suggestions?

[Jeff]

Hi, Derrick E.

Sorry for the issues you're having with your network. It sounds like a frustrating experience to have to go through all those restarts and all that constant troubleshooting.

So there is a known issue right now with the Home app and managing port forwarding on the Nest and Google WiFi devices. It's something our team is working on and I hope to be able to share news of a fix soon. I'll keep things updated as I learn more, but it is something we're aware of.

If there's anything else I can do for you, please let me know. Thanks.

[Jeff]

Hey, Derrick.

I'm just checking in real fast to see if there's anything else you needed or if you were able to work this out. If you still need some help, just let me know and I'll be happy to keep working with you. I'm hoping with some of the recent updates to the app and devices that you were able to gain some traction in resolving this. Let me know!

Thanks.

[Jeff]

Hi, everyone.

As we haven't had any activity here recently I'm going to go ahead and close the thread. If you have more to add, feel free to start a new discussion.

Thanks