With the growing number of professionals working from home, having a reliable Internet connection is paramount. However, even the best setups can experience connectivity issues. At 5Gstore.com, we recently worked with an employee who shared their experience troubleshooting a complex connectivity problem in their home office setup. This case highlights how troubleshooting with Peplink using their advanced features, like SpeedFusion and PrimeCare, can help resolve even the trickiest network challenges.
A Real-World Challenge: Start Troubleshooting with Peplink
After two hurricanes disrupted their area, one of our team members began encountering intermittent call drops, freezing video/audio, and choppy communication. Their setup included Fiber ISP equipment, a Peplink MAX BR1 Mini Cat 7 (HW3) router for lab testing, a SIP phone connected to the BR1, and other devices. The Fiber modem was connected via an unmanaged NetGear switch instead of directly to the BR1. The disruptions forced them to reexamine their network configuration and explore Peplink’s advanced features for solutions.
Basic Troubleshooting: Check Your Connections
The first step was reviewing all physical connections. This process revealed corrosion on several RJ-45 cables—a common but often overlooked issue. Our team recommends these steps:
- Inspect Ethernet Cables: Check for visible damage or corrosion, as faulty cables can cause intermittent issues.
- Verify Hardware Placement: Ensure your modem, router, and switches are properly connected.
- Reboot Your Equipment: A simple power cycle can often resolve temporary glitches.
By addressing these basic issues first, our employee resolved some initial problems. When these steps weren’t enough, they turned to the advanced capabilities of their Peplink device.
Troubleshooting with Peplink: An Overview
Maximizing PrimeCare Features
Peplink’s PrimeCare warranty provides powerful tools to enhance connectivity and ensure reliability. Here’s how our employee used these features during their troubleshooting process:
Hot Failover for Seamless Switching
Hot Failover enables automatic switching between connections when one fails. During troubleshooting with Peplink, Hot Failover allowed their BR1 to seamlessly switch to an alternate cellular connection while addressing Fiber connection issues. This ensured uninterrupted service, enabling them to remain productive and handle customer inquiries without disruption.
WAN Smoothing to Address Packet Loss
Jittery video and choppy audio during calls can often be resolved with WAN Smoothing, which mitigates packet loss by sending redundant data streams. This feature significantly improved video call quality during the troubleshooting process.
Bandwidth Bonding for Consistent Connectivity
Bandwidth Bonding combines multiple Internet connections into a single robust pipeline, providing consistent bandwidth for data-intensive applications. With both Fiber and cellular connections active, Bandwidth Bonding optimized performance and utilized the strengths of both connections simultaneously.
Added Security Through SpeedFusion VPN
SpeedFusion also enhances security by routing traffic through an encrypted VPN, providing an additional layer of protection for data while maintaining reliable connectivity.
Importance of Proper Configuration
Proper network configuration is crucial for optimal performance. Peplink devices are highly customizable, and our employee worked with a certified Peplink engineer to tailor their setup. Key aspects of the process included:
- Setting up SpeedFusion features like Hot Failover, WAN Smoothing, and Bandwidth Bonding.
- Configuring VPNs for enhanced security.
- Optimizing policies and rules for their unique environment.
After setup, the network became a “set it and forget it” system. Backing up the configuration ensured that any future resets could quickly restore optimal settings.
Leveraging PrimeCare Warranty Benefits
PrimeCare offers more than just advanced features; it also includes:
- Hardware Replacement Warranty: Ensures quick replacement of devices in case of hardware failure.
- InControl 2 Cloud Management: Simplifies remote access, monitoring, and configuration of devices. This tool provided our employees with greater visibility and troubleshooting capabilities during their network challenges.
Additionally, 5Gstore.com offers custom configuration services to help users optimize their Peplink devices for any environment. Our experts are always available to provide ongoing support and address any issues.
Final Thoughts
The experience of our employee underscores how troubleshooting with Peplink’s SpeedFusion and PrimeCare features can transform connectivity, ensuring reliability, performance, and security. Addressing basic issues first, and then utilizing advanced tools like Hot Failover, WAN Smoothing, and Bandwidth Bonding, creates a seamless and stress-free experience. For tailored configurations and expert support, trust the certified team at 5Gstore.com. With the right setup, you can enjoy an always-on connection, even during unexpected disruptions.