Linksys SPNMX55CTF for Connect Fibre ISP Frequently Asked Questions

TABLE OF CONTENTS

HARDWARE INFORMATION

1.  What is the Linksys SPNMX55CTF for Connect Fibre ISP?
2.  What is the warranty period of the node?
3.  Where can I find the node’s serial number?
4.  Does the node have an indicator light?
5.  Is this compatible with other Linksys mesh products?
6.  What type of processor does it have?
7.  Does the node support Linksys Aware and Linksys Shield?
8.  How many ports are supported on the node?
9. Where can I find the model number of the node?
10. What are the weight and dimensions of the node?

SETUP AND INSTALLATION

1.  How do I set up the node?
2.  What are the requirements for setting up the node?
3. How do I add a child node to my existing mesh WiFi system?
4.  Can the Linksys SPNMX55CTF replace a router?
5.  How do I add a wired node to an existing network?
6. Does the router support Wi-Fi Protected Setup™ (WPS) pairing for adding clients to the WiFi?

SECURITY

1. What Wi-Fi security modes are supported on the node?
2.  Does the node support VPN passthrough?
3.  Does the node support SPI firewall?
4. What is the router’s default admin password?

ADVANCED CONFIGURATION

1.  How do I upgrade the node’s firmware?
2. Can I manually upgrade the node's firmware?
3. How do I check a node's current firmware version?
4. How do I reset the node to factory defaults?
5. How do I recover my admin password?
6. What is Dynamic Frequency Selection (DFS)?
7. How do I enable the DFS feature of the node?
8. Can I use DFS in my network with other routers on child modes?
9. Can my clients connect to the DFS channels?
10. How do I access the Linksys app dashboard?
11. How do I access the router's LinksysSmartWiFi.com page?

TROUBLESHOOTING

1. Can I connect the Linksys SPNMX55CTF to my upstream router or network?
2. Can I change the VLAN setting on the Linksys router?
3. I need to set up the node again, how do I set it up?
4. What is a parent node?
5. What is a child node?
6. Can I set up the node using the Linksys app?
7. The Auto Configuration Server (ACS) setup failed. What can I do to set up the node?
8. The LinksysSmartWiFi.com setup failed. What can I do to set up the node?
9. Why is the node not detecting an IP address conflict?
10. Setting up the node through the Linksys app failed. How do I set up the node through the Linksys app?
11. My Linksys mesh router isn't working with my ISP's 5G router. What should I do?

HARDWARE INFORMATION

1. What is the Linksys SPNMX55CTF for Connect Fibre ISP?

The Linksys SPNMX55CTF for Connect Fibre ISP offers massive simultaneous capacity for video, gaming, and high-speed data. It is easy to add to a modular system of nodes to give you flawless WiFi everywhere and easily replaces a standard router with a mesh WiFi connection. The Linksys SPNMX55CTF is for Connect Fibre subscribers in the United Kingdom.
2. What is the warranty period of the node?

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.

3. Where can I find the node’s serial number?

The serial number is located on the sticker underneath the device.

4. Does the node have an indicator light?

Yes. The node has a status indicator light that shows the different status and activities of the node..

5. Is this compatible with other Linksys mesh products?

Yes.  However, if you are using a non-Connect Fibre child node, the node may not benefit from any Connect Fibre features. Check with Connect Fibre first.

6.  What type of processor does it have?

The node has a 1 GHz dual-core processor.

7. Does the node support Linksys Aware and Linksys Shield?

No. The node supports the standard Parental Controls feature only.  Linksys Aware and Linksys Shield are not supported.

8. How many ports are supported on the node?

The node has one fixed 1 Gbps WAN/internet port and three 1 Gbps LAN/ethernet ports.

9. Where can I find the model number of the node?

You can find the model number on the product label, Linksys app, LinksysSmartWiFi.com page, and the sysinfo log.

Product label: SPNMX55
Linksys app and LinksysSmartWiFi.com page: MX5500 Series
Sysinfo log: MX5500-KE

10. What are the weight and dimensions of the node?

Below are the weight and dimensions of the node:

Dimensions: 3.385 in x 3.385 in x 7.3 in
Weight: 0.50 kg (1.1 lb)

SETUP AND INSTALLATION

1. How do I set up the node?

The parent node’s initial setup is provided by Connect Fibre. The Linksys SPNMX55CTF supports Connect Fibre’s ACS feature. The node must be connected directly to Connect Fibre's equipment, otherwise it will not get online. To learn more, click here.

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

Below are the requirements for setting up the Linksys SPNMX55CTF:

Connect Fibre internet connection (The Linksys SPNMX55CTF must be connected directly to Connect Fibre's equipment.)
Latest iOS or Android™ mobile device
Latest version of the Linksys app to manage your network from anywhere
Linksys cloud account

3. How do I add a child node to my existing mesh WiFi system?

For instructions on how you can add a node to an existing mesh WiFi system, click here.

4. Can the Linksys SPNMX55CTF replace a router?

Yes, you can replace your standard router with the Linksys SPNMX55CTF. Click here for instructions.

5. How do I add a wired node to an existing network?

For instructions on how to add a wired child node to your mesh WiFi system, click here.

6. Does the router support Wi-Fi Protected Setup™ (WPS) pairing for adding clients to the WiFi?

Yes.

SECURITY

1. What Wi-Fi security modes are supported on the node?

The Linksys SPNMX55CTF supports the following settings:

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

2. Does the node support VPN passthrough?

Yes. The node supports VPN passthrough configuration of IPSec, L2TP, and PPTP protocols.

3. Does the node support SPI firewall?

Yes.

4. What is the router’s default admin password?

The default password of an unconfigured router is admin. After it detects an internet connection, the password changes to the default WiFi password located on the product label.

ADVANCED CONFIGURATION

1. How do I upgrade the node’s firmware?

Firmware updates will not be posted on the support site. Connect Fibre will provide firmware updates via auto updates.

2. Can I manually upgrade the node's firmware?

The node supports auto updates of the firmware which will be provided by Connect Fibre.

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 using an Android mobile device, follow the instructions here. For iOS, click here. Once you are logged in, tap on the menu icon and go to Network Administration. Select a node from the list and look for Firmware Version.

4. How do 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 occur before you release the button.

5. How do I recover my admin password?

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

6. What is Dynamic Frequency Selection (DFS)?

DFS is a spectrum-sharing mechanism that allows multiple wireless local area networks (WLANs) to coexist with radar systems. It automatically selects a frequency that does not interfere with certain radar systems while operating in the 5 GHz band. The benefits of using DFS channels are less WiFi interference and better WiFi performance.

7. How do I enable the DFS feature of the node?

To learn how to enable the DFS feature, click here.

8. Can I use DFS in my network with other routers on child modes?

Only if the node supports DFS. If the child node does not support DFS, it will not be able to connect to your network.

9. Can my clients connect to the DFS channels?

Only if your clients support DFS channels. Clients that do not support DFS channels can connect to the 2.4 GHz band instead.

10. How do I access the Linksys app dashboard?

To learn how to access the Linksys app, click here.

11. How do I access the router's LinksysSmartWiFi.com page?

To log in to LinksysSmartWiFi.com, open a web browser, enter "https://myrouter.local" in the Address bar, and press [Enter]. You may also use the router’s default IP address which is "https:// 192.168.1.1". If you have set up an IP address for the router, use that specific IP address. To learn more, click here.

TROUBLESHOOTING

1. Can I connect the Linksys SPNMX55CTF to my upstream router or network?

No. The node must be connected directly to your Connect Fibre’s equipment.

2. Can I change the VLAN setting on the Linksys router?

No. This setting is embedded in the firmware and cannot be modified on the router itself.

3. I need to set up the node again, how do I set it up?

For instructions on how to set up the node, click here.

4. What is a parent node?

The node that is connected directly to Connect Fibre that is online is called the parent node. It is the main router on your network.

5. What is a child node?

A child node is another Linksys SPNMX55CTF added to your network to extend your WiFi. Child nodes can be wireless or wired.

6. Can I set up the node using the Linksys app?

No. The Linksys SPNMX55CTF supports Connect Fibre’s ACS feature. If you attempt to set it up through the Linksys app while it 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. To learn more, click here.

7. The Auto Configuration Server (ACS) setup failed. What can I do to set up the node?

The Linksys SPNMX55CTF supports Connect Fibre’s ACS feature for setting up the node. 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 progress mode) after a few minutes from connecting the node to the modem check the following:

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

8. The LinksysSmartWiFi.com setup failed. What can I do to set up the node?

Connect Fibre requires traffic tagged through VLAN 101. If the node is not connected directly to the Connect Fibre equipment it will not detect any traffic due to this VLAN requirement. Make sure that the parent node is connected directly to Connect Fibre’s equipment.

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

Connect Fibre uses 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 node is connected to an upstream device using 192.168.1.1, it will not detect this IP address conflict since it’s not detecting Connect Fibre’s VLAN ID. Make sure that the parent node is connected directly to your Connect Fibre equipment.

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

The router supports Connect Fibre's ACS feature, 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 node's default WiFi name (Connect_Fibre_xxxx where xxxx is the last four digits of the node's MAC address). 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 is set up, you can then link your network to your Linksys cloud account using the Linksys app.

To learn more, click here.

11. 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.