Linksys SPNMX42CTF-UK for Connect Fibre ISP Frequently Asked Questions

HARDWARE INFORMATION

1. What is the Linksys SPNMX42CTF-UK for Connect Fibre ISP?

The Linksys SPNMX42CTF-UK for Connect Fibre ISP supports the latest Wi-Fi® 6 (802.11ax) standard to deliver next-level streaming and gaming. It offers faster WiFi performance for lag-free online gaming and simultaneous streaming to any device. For additional information, click here.

The Linksys SPNMX42CTF-UK is for Connect Fibre ISP subscribers in the UK only.

2. What are the parts of the Linksys SPNMX42CTF-UK?

The Linksys SPNMX42CTF-UK has the following parts:

Ports:
- Three gigabit ethernet ports
- One gigabit internet port
- Power port (12V, 3A)
- One USB 3.0 port for external storage support. The supported formats are as follows:
  - Windows®: NTFS and FAT32
  - Mac®: FAT32 and HFS+ (journaled, non-journaled)
- Supports SMB v2.0
- UPnP®
- Supports up to 900mA current draw
Buttons and switch
- Reset button
- Wi-Fi Protected Setup™ (WPS) button
- One power switch (sliding)

3. What are the features of the Linksys SPNMX42CTF-UK?

These are the features of the Linksys SPNMX42CTF-UK:

IEEE 802.11ax
AX4200 Tri-band
Eight Spatial Streams
1.4 GHz quad-core processor
Intelligent Mesh™
Easy Setup
Band Steering
WiFi security
Seamless Roaming
Guest Network
Parental Controls
Priority feature
Wi-Fi Protected Setup™ (WPS)
Backwards compatible with 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac
Supports Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP)
Supports Automatic Setup via Auto Configuration Server (ACS)
Supports Prioritization for video calls for Zoom and Microsoft® Teams
Supports parent and child modes
Coverage of up to 2,700 sq ft per node

4. What is its warranty period?

The node is leased by Connect Fibre. For service warranty concerns and if the device is faulty, you may contact Connect Fibre for a replacement.

5. What do the light behaviors of the node indicate?

The light indicates the different states and activities of your node. For a detailed description, click here.

6. Can I plug my USB hard drive or a printer into its USB port?

The Linksys SPNMX42CTF-UK has one USB 3.0 port for a USB storage device. However, virtual printing is not supported.

7. What type of processor does it have?

The Linksys SPNMX42CTF-UK has a 1.4 GHz quad-core processor.

8. What are the default settings of this product?

The Linksys SPNMX42CTF-UK has the following default settings:

The default IP address is 192.168.1.1.

NOTE: If the upstream device uses the same IP address, the node will automatically use a different LAN IP address to avoid any conflict.

The default administrator password of an unconfigured node is admin. Once the node detects an internet connection, the default admin password changes to the default WiFi password located on the node’s product label.
The default WiFi name is Connect_Fibre_xxxx where xxxx represents the last four digits of the node’s MAC address.
Each node has a unique pre-assigned WiFi password located at the bottom of the node.
The default Guest WiFi name is Connect_Fibre_xxxx –guest where xxxx represents the last four digits of the node’s MAC address.
The default Guest network IP address range is 192.168.3.x.

NOTE: The Guest network is disabled by default. It can be enabled using the LinksysSmartWiFi.com page or the Linksys app.

The default WAN connection is DHCP out of the box.

9. Does it support Apple® HomeKit®, Linksys Aware, or Linksys Shield?

No. The Linksys SPNMX42CTF-UK does not support Apple HomeKit, Linksys Aware or Linksys Shield.

10. Where can I locate the model number of my Linksys SPNMX42CTF-UK?

The model SPNMX42 of your node is printed on the product label at the node's bottom. The Linksys SPNMX42CTF-UK will display on the packaging.

11. What are the weight and dimensions of the Linksys SPNMX42CTF-UK?

The weight of a Linksys SPNMX42CTF-UK is 0.95 kg (2.09 lb), and its dimensions are 4.45 in x 4.45 in x 9.57 in.

SETUP AND INSTALLATION

1. What are the requirements for setting up the node?

You will need the following:

The Linksys SPNMX42CTF-UK must be connected directly to the Connect Fibre equipment
The latest version of the Linksys app with a Linksys cloud account to manage your network from anywhere
A mobile device using the latest version of iOS or Android™

2. Does the Linksys SPNMX42CTF-UK support Auto Configuration Server (ACS)?

Yes. The Linksys SPNMX42CTF-UK supports Automatic Setup via the ISP’s Auto Configuration Server. Once the node is powered ON, plugged into the ISP’s equipment, and detects an internet connection, it will automatically configure itself as the parent node. The light on your node will change from solid purple to blinking white. Once the node is configured and has an internet connection, the light will turn to solid blue. After setup, you can link your router to your Linksys cloud account to manage your network.

3. Can I set up the Linksys SPNMX42CTF-UK using the Linksys app?

No. The router supports Connect Fibre’s ACS (Automatic Configuration Server) feature for setting up the node. It will automatically self-configure itself when connected directly to your ISP’s equipment. If you attempt to set up the router through the Linksys app while the router is going through ACS setup, the Linksys app will fail to detect or set up the node. Wait until the node has been set up and you can then link your network to your Linksys cloud account.

4. How do I link my Linksys SPNMX42CTF-UK to a Linksys cloud account?

After you set up your node, you can add your mesh network to your Linksys cloud account using the Linksys app. Click here for step-by-step instructions.

5. How do I set up the Linksys SPNMX42CTF-UK?

To learn how to set up your Linksys SPNMX42CTF-UK, click here.

6. How can I add another node to my existing mesh system?

You will need the Linksys app to add more child nodes to extend your WiFi..

7. What WiFi security options are supported?

The Linksys SPNMX42CTF-UK supports the following WiFi security modes:

WPA2™/WPA3™ Mixed Personal
WPA3 Personal Only
WPA2 Personal
Open and Enhanced Open
Open

8. If I have a mixed mesh network with other Linksys Intelligent Mesh models as child nodes, can I use WPA3 or any of the Enhanced Open security options?

No. If your other child models or client devices do not support WPA3, they will not be able to connect. It is highly recommended to leave the setting to default.

FIRMWARE UPGRADE

1. How do I upgrade the Linksys SPNMX42CTF-UK's firmware?

The node will automatically update when the firmware is available.

2. How do I manually upgrade the firmware of my Linksys SPNMX42CTF-UK?

Manual firmware is not supported. Make sure auto-update is turned ON to automatically install firmware updates when they are available.

3. How do I check a node's current firmware version?

The firmware version can be found in the Linksys app on the Network Administration screen. To access the Linksys app, click here. Then, tap on the Menu icon and go to Network Administration.

TROUBLESHOOTING

1. Why is my router not able to get internet connection?

If the Linksys SPNMX42CTF-UK is not connected directly to your ISP’s equipment, the router will not get online due to internet traffic on VLAN 101.

2. How do I access my Linksys app dashboard?

To learn how to access the dashboard on the Linksys app or LinksysSmartWiFi.com page, click the links below:

How to log in to the Linksys app dashboard
How to log in to the LinksysSmartWiFi.com page

3. Why can’t I log in to the local interface using “admin” as a password?

Once the node has an internet connection, the admin password changes to the default WiFi password located on the product label of the Linksys SPNMX42CTF-UK.

4. What is the External Storage feature?

The External Storage feature of the Linksys SPNMX42CTF-UK allows you to connect an external storage device to its USB port to share an entire hard drive.

It features one USB 3.0 port for a storage drive. If you have more than one node, you can connect a USB hard drive to each node. To learn more, click here.

5. What file system formats does this router support?

The Linksys SPNMX42CTF-UK supports the following file formats:

Windows: NTFS and FAT32
Mac: FAT32 and HFS+ (journaled, non-journaled)

6. Does the USB storage feature support File Transfer Protocol (FTP)?

No. The USB storage feature doesn't support FTP.

7. How do I safely eject my hard drive from the node?

If you are on the LinksysSmartWiFi.com page and you want to remove the storage device safely, click here for instructions.

8. Can I protect my hard drive from unauthorized access?

Yes. You can do this by enabling Authentication on the node.

NOTE: The username should have a minimum of four and a maximum of 12 alphanumeric characters while the password should have a minimum of four and a maximum of 50 alphanumeric characters. Both can include valid characters such as an underscore ( _ ) or a dash ( - ). To learn more about the External Storage feature of the Linksys SPNMX42CTF-UK, click here.

9. How can I access the storage device connected to the node?

To learn how to access the storage device connected to your node, you need to first identify the IP address of the storage device. For instructions, click here.

10. How can I reset the node to factory defaults?

To reset your node to its factory defaults, press and hold the reset button until the light on top of the node turns red, fades, and flashes bright red.

IMPORTANT: Make sure that a bright red flash, followed by three to four quick faded red pulses then another bright red flash occurs before you release the button.

11. How do I recover my admin password?

You can recover the admin password through the five-digit recovery code printed on the product label at the bottom. To learn more, click here.

12. When should I prioritize the internet connection for my device?

On the Priority page, a message will appear recommending that the Device Prioritization feature be turned OFF if the internet speed is 200 Mbps or greater since the bandwidth is sufficient for your devices. It is ideal to prioritize internet connection for your devices when the internet speed is slower than 200 Mbps.

13. The Linksys app failed to set up my parent node. What should I do?

The Linksys SPNMX42CTF-UK model supports ACS (Automatic Configuration Server), meaning that once the node is plugged into your ISP equipment, it will automatically detect a connection and configure itself as a parent node. Attempting to set up the node with the app while the router is going through ACS setup will cause the app to not detect your node. Wait until the light is solid blue meaning that your router has completed setup, you can then link your router to your Linksys cloud account. To learn how to link, click here.

14. Setting up the node through the Linksys app failed. How do I set up the node through the Linksys app?

The router supports ACS (Automatic Configuration Server), meaning that once the node is plugged into the Connect Fibre equipment and detects an internet connection, it will automatically configure itself as a parent node with an internet connection.

If you tried setting up the node using the Linksys app first while the node was going through ACS, the Linksys app will fail to detect it. You may check the status light of your node; it may already be online.

Solid blue light: This indicates your node is set up and ready to use. Log out or close the Linksy app and connect your mobile device to the default WiFi of the node located on the product label. Launch the Linksys app and when prompted to add the node enter your admin password.
Solid red light: Reset your node and try setting it up through the ACS method. After it’s set up, you can then link your network to your Linksys cloud account using the Linksys app.

15. The ACS setup failed. What can I do to set up the node?

The router supports Connect Fibre’s ACS feature for setting up the node, which means that once the node is plugged into Connect Fibre’s equipment and detects an internet connection, it will automatically configure itself as a parent node with an internet connection. Once the light is solid blue, the node is ready to use.

If the solid purple light (ready for setup mode) does not begin to flash white (ACS in process) after a few minutes from connecting your router to the modem check the following:

Make sure that you have a cable going from the internet port on the Linksys node to the Connect Fibre equipment and make sure they are both powered ON.
If the node is connected to an upstream router, this is not supported. The router should be directly connected to your Connect Fibre equipment.
If the router did not power on with solid purple light, try resetting the Linksys SPNMX42CTF-UK.

16. I need to set up my router again. How do I do it?

First, make sure that your Linksys SPNMX42CTF-UK is connected directly to your Connect Fibre equipment. Then for instructions on how to set up the node, click here.

17. Why is the node not detecting an IP address conflict?

Connect Fibre requires traffic tagged through a VLAN ID. If the node is not connected directly to the Connect Fibre equipment, it will not detect any traffic due to this VLAN requirement. If the Linksys SPNMX42CTF-UK is connected to an upstream device using 192.168.1.1, the node will not detect this IP address conflict since it’s not detecting the Connect Fibre’s VLAN ID. Make sure that your node is connected directly to your Connect Fibre equipment.

18. My Linksys mesh router isn't working with my ISP's 5G router. What should I do?

For the Linksys mesh router to work with a 5G router, your ISP must provide a 5G router with an ethernet port for connection to the parent node.