Re: Cisco E3000: Guest network setup via Web interface?

Larswad · ‎12-08-2010

Yes, thanks, I am aware of this great DD-WRT project and I have considered to move over to that after a while. It was one of the biggest reasons to why I chose this router, funny in a way.

However, I was thinkning that I initially stick with the stock firmware to see if it fullfulls my needs, but I'm seriously doubting that now since stumbling into this guest network thingy and the cisco-connect / web interface limitations. Kinda sad that a simple thing like that really cripples the router. I was hoping to get some response here in this thread from either a developer at cisco or some support person about any plans to fix this....but it seems to be kinda silent.

So...DD-WRT...here I come.

chichon · ‎12-09-2010

A guy from linksys helped me fixing this bug, this is for the E3000, owners of E2000, E1000, feel free to try it, may help, otherwise proceed to the live chat and bother them a bit for not caring enough for this forum:

A) wireless

A.1 .- wireless in manual mode

A.2 .- The 5Ghz at "only 20 Mhz", channel AUTO, mixed network mode.

A.3 .- The 2.4Ghz at "only 20 Mhz", channel 9, mixed network mode. Both 5Ghz and 2.4Ghz with the same SSID (whatever the namne you want)

A.4 .- Both in WPA2/WPA mixed (security) and same passphrase

**Save changes**

B) router

B.1 .- Change router password and put the same passphrase you used on both bands (2.4 & 5)

**Save changes, router may ask you the password, you know which one.**

C) Cisco connect

C.1 .- Since you changed all this, cisco connect will go crazy, surprisingly it will not "connect" even changing the settings.xml file inside the directory. UNINSTALL it (this will clean all)

C.2 .- Install the Program again, you can download it from linksys website, or use the one from the CD (i think it's not a problem of version).

C.3 .- First question it asks... answer: YES

C.4 .- It will ask you for the password of the router, write it/paste it.

**Execute the program and...you can configure the guest access on the huge button at the left bottom.**

Hope that helps

P.S: hey don't (b|f)lame me if it doesn't work (i'm not getting paid). Btw apart of this awful bug, i LOVE the E3000 , works just great.

(Mod note: Edited for guideline compliance.)

Larswad · ‎12-08-2010

@chichon: Thanks for the guide, I actually might try that!

I am a bit curious about one part in there though, B.1. I already have the same password for both wireless bands (they are however not the same as the one I log in to the web interface with). So then I guess the only thing I'd have to do is to set the admin password to be exactly the same as the wireless passphrases (and of course, comply with steps A1-A4)?

Another thing, I suppose I'm better off doing this with a machine that is connected wired to the router?

As a note: This makes me suspect that the Cisco connect has several sets of settings apart from the settings.xml file. I'd bet there is some persistent parameters in the system registry as well. It would be nice to know how this parameterization works so that someone (or myself) could write a script that modifies the password to something you input. Then it would need to "re-enables" the Cisco connect without having to reinstall the darned application every time you want to modify the router settings.

chichon · ‎12-09-2010

@Larswad: ymw

You are guessin' right, passphrasess all the same WB1 & WB2 & Router admin.

Always nicer to have a wired IF, but I think you could get the job done the same way with a wireless connection.

Indeed, maybe the settings.xml is just a kind of ... 'log' for the program settings.

I don't want this functionality (just needed to shut down the unprotected guest access). If you are totally in need for this funcionality runnig on and off, and you have enough time, do it! otherwise wait until guys at LINKSYS say something about it.

jimbob · ‎12-12-2010

My solution.

I also set up using Cisco Connect on my Mac. Then found that making changes on the Web interface made the management interface (Cisco Connect) fail. You have to use Cisco Connect to control the Guest Network and Parental Controls. Searched the other comments on this blog, found that the issue is with the SETTINGS.XML file.

Some people say that the "Wireless - Basic Wireless Settings" needs to be in "WiFi Protected Setup" mode in the Web interface. - I made manual changes then returned to the Wi-Fi Protected Setup mode before trying what follows.

DO NOT TRY THIS UNLESS YOU ARE VERY COMFORTABLE ALTERING PROGRAM FILES!!!

In the Mac it is found by 1> highlight "Cisco Connect.app" in the applications folder. 2> CTRL-Click to open menu - choose "Show Package Contents" 3> Navigate Contents - Resources - Cache - Settings to "Settings.xml" 4> save a copy of the file as "settings.old" 5> open file and adjust data so that it reflects your changes, change as little as possible, (Probably only WirelessSSID if you changed the wireless name, and the passwords if you changed them on the web menu. Dont forget to leave the quotes on each entry) Then save the file. 6> try the program. Make adjustments as necessary. (You might need to make several attempts at this, if all else fails, revert the "settings.old" file back to "settings.xml").

SAMPLE FILE *****************************************

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8" ?>

**********************************************************

Good Luck.

Similar file is found in Windows, not sure where it is... Look around the Cisco program files...

Again - do not try this if you are a computer newbie!

JimBob

ltrea@yahoo.com · ‎12-25-2010

Unable to log into YoungDog or youngDog-guest . Need password.

troia · ‎10-01-2006

hi ltrea

go to a computer that is already connected to the router.

then, you need to launch your Cisco connect software from your programs or the icon on your taskbar.

you should now be able to see an overview of your settings, click on the one that says YoungDog or youngDog-guest, depending on what connection you want to use.

once you clicked and opened it, it will show you the password that you need to enter on the computer that does not connect.

douglasd3 · ‎01-04-2011

I just bought and setup the E3000 router. I too do not like to use included software. But I did, of course it said yea! your on th einternet. But I had to log in to web interface to change a few settings I like. Lan ip address range, pass phrases, admin password. I did keep the pass phrase for both 2.4 and 5ghs the same, but I sure was not making that my admin password. After getting the router running all groovy, I realized there was no guest choices in the web interface and then found out I was locked out.

Now during the cd stage I changed the admin password, so cicso connect is aware of that, but wont open the controls cause "i changed advanced settings"

With help from an several earlier posts (dont remember who posted it, but thanks) I have control of guests and use the web interface:

Here's how:

uninstall Cisco Connect

Re-install Cisco Connect

try to run it, it will say your router is already setup, click yes

it will ask you for your NEW admin password

put it in and keep going

at this point you will still be blocked from the parental and guest stuff with the "advanced control settings have been changed"

go ahead and close cisco connect

NOW

go to program files - cisco systems - cisco connect - settings

the settings directory is hidden!

in the settings directory is the settings.xml file

What I had to edit on mine is the "wireless Password" it still had the one that matched my admin password even though I changed my passphrases in the web interface. Make that match your wireless passwrod that u are actually using and save file.

then run cisco connect and you will have control of parental controls and guest.

I only changed advanced settings once but want to frequently change guest and or parental controls and I will do it from the cisco connect now.

Sorry I talked so long.

I hope this helps someone

Doug

wseward · ‎01-04-2011

The setup CD "settings.xml" file doesn't have any password in them. See below

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8" ?>

douglasd3 · ‎01-04-2011

did you already run the setup and configure the router using the cd? I only know that the file on my hard drive had the info in it after I set up the router using the cd. If you configured the router via web interface first then the cd, then maybe that is why your settings.xml is different? not sure

sorry