Devices Connecting After Restricting Number of IP Addresses

[thinkhard42]

I have a mesh network setup with Nest Wifi and two additional access points.

I have restricted the DHCP address pool to just two IP addresses ending in .2 and .3. I want the two APs to get those IP addresses and I do not want any other device connecting directly to the New Wifi.

(If you are interested in why I have it setup like this, I am running a Firewalla Gold and have the home network setup like this: https://help.firewalla.com/hc/en-us/articles/360048869274-Firewalla-Gold-Tutorial-Google-Wifi-or-Nes...)

Everything is working, except recently I noticed a number of Wifi devices connecting to Nest Wifi without being allocated an IP address. All of my devices have network/internet connection from the Firewalla side of the network, I am just trying to figure out why devices are also connecting to the Nest Wifi when it is setup to not issue any IP addresses.

Any thought? Thanks.

[carguy143]

The devices will not know the Nest isn't dishing out new IP addresses and the Nest won't know the devices in question until they connect to it. I'm not sure how you will get around this, though. 

[LovelyM]

Hi folks, 

I appreciate your help here, @carguy143.

@thinkhard42, it might be that the Nest Wifi router and two access points power cycle without your knowledge, causing this issue that you have. You may try to change your WiFi password and ensure your access points connect to the IP addresses ending with .2 and .3 first.

Let me know how it goes.

Thanks, 
Lovely 

[AbigailF]

Hey everyone,

Checking back in should you still have some questions here. Let us know by replying to this thread. 

Best, 
Abi

[thinkhard42]

Lovely,

Thanks so much for the suggestion. 

This is exactly how I set the network up. I changed the Wifi password so all of my devices fell off the network, the Nest Wifi points took the .2 and .3 IP addresses. I then changed the password back to the original.

Only the Nest wifi devices get IP addresses, all of the other devices get IP addresses from my Firewalla network, but somehow join the Nest network without being assigned an IP address.

If I block a device in Firewalla from network/Internet access, it cannot access the internet, even if it also appears to be connected to the Nest Wifi.

[AbigailF]

Hi thinkhard42,

Thanks for the update and my apologies for the late reply. I'm sorry to hear that you're still having an issue with your Google Nest Wifi. We'd like to take a deeper look into this — could you fill out this form and let us know once you're done?

Thanks,
Abi