What is Sonic WiFi?

Sonic WiFi is a wireless mesh system for improving both the range and performance of wireless networks. This can be of great assistance in situations where the size, physical layout, and/or construction materials used in the residence are causing impediments to the normal wireless network generated by a single router.

Feature Comparison

Sonic WiFi Gateway

Ideal for: Starting a WiFi mesh network, adding/replacing a Sonic WiFi router, extending ethernet access

Supported devices: 120+

Key features: Has two gigabit Ethernet ports, Triband (50% better hop performance compared to Gen 1), USB-C power adapter

Sonic WiFi Beacon

Ideal for: Adding onto an existing network and areas where wires are not convenient.

Supported devices: 120+

Key features: *Compact size with great performance, built-in plug (no wires!), built-in nightlight.

Limitations: No Ethernet ports (can’t be used as a Sonic WiFi gateway).

Please note that the Sonic WiFi Beacons cannot be used without a Sonic WiFi unit acting as a gateway.

Specifications

Mobile App

The mobile app is available on iOS and Android. Every Sonic WiFi user will need to have the app installed on an iOS/Android device with Bluetooth capability and active cellular data service so they can create, manage, troubleshoot, and edit their Sonic WiFi network; if you are not amenable towards using an iOS/Android device for network management, this is not the product for you. The app is free to download on the iPhone App store and the Google Play store.

The app currently supports both Android and iOS. Your device must also support BLE, so Bluetooth hardware versions earlier than 4.0 aren’t supported.

Click here for app setup.

In addition to the above requirements, you'll need a data connection on your device to set up your Sonic WiFi network. Once you're set up, you can manage your network over an Internet connection. 

Why is a data connection necessary for setting up my Sonic WiFi network?

When you are creating an Sonic WiFi network, we recommend using a device that has a data connection. This is because at a certain point during setup, you will briefly not have any WiFi as you will need to swap out your existing router for your Sonic WiFi gateway. In order for your new gateway to register and bring your network online, your mobile device will need an available connection to the internet.

How do I set up my Sonic WiFi network if I don't have cell data service?

If you don't have cell data service where you live, please take the following extra steps when setting up your devices:

1. Rather than plugging your gateway into your modem, plug it into your existing router during setup (This is called 'double NATing' your network). This way you can use your current wifi network to complete the setup and switch over to your Sonic WiFi network once setup is complete.
2. If you have a standalone modem and router, you can remove the router once your Sonic WiFi network is up and running. Simply unplug the Sonic WiFi gateway from your router, power cycle your modem, and then plug your gateway directly into the modem. When power cycling your modem, please be sure to wait until your modem is fully powered back on before plugging your Sonic WiFi into it. Depending on the modem, this may take up to 3-5 minutes. After you plug your Sonic WiFi gateway into your modem, you'll no longer need your old router.
3. If you have a modem/router combo device, you can put that device in bridge mode for optimal network performance.

Terminology

Node: Each Sonic WiFi device counts as a node, whether it is a gateway or a leaf.

Gateway: The gateway is the primary device on the network. In a typical Sonic WiFi network, it will be the gateway that is connected to your modem via Ethernet. The Sonic WiFi gateway is intended to replace any existing router functionality in a home network, meaning you will want to either bypass your existing router entirely and connect the Sonic WiFi gateway directly to the modem, or in the case of a modem/router combo will want to disable wireless and bridge the device entirely (or set up a LAN sub-port), both of which mean that the Sonic WiFi unit is literally acting as the gateway for your WAN connection.

Note that the Sonic WiFi can also be configured to act as a bridged wireless access point for a routers existing LAN network; this will negate use of some advanced features, but the Sonic WiFi will still be accessible via the app and most of the standard network management features will work fine.

Leaf: A leaf is any additional Sonic WiFi device on the network after the gateway. This can be a Sonic WiFi or Sonic WiFi Beacon, and can be connected to the network over WiFi or Ethernet.

While Sonic will assist with basic troubleshooting and configuration of devices, full support will be provided at https://support.eero.com/hc/en-us.

Setup

Steps to connecting Sonic WiFi

Click here for app setup.

Adding Sonic WiFi to your network

Once the gateway has been configured and is working, it is a simple matter to add additional devices to the mesh network at any time using the app.

Adding a new Sonic WiFi unit

From the main status page, tap the button above the network name (currently showing as 1 single device on the network).

Select type of device

You will be prompted for which type of device you would like to add.

Detecting new Sonic WiFi unit

The app will then detect the presence of a new unit.

Placement and confirmation

Once the device has been detected, the app will test the placement and confirm new Sonic WiFi has been added to the network. If the app detects a possible issue with the placement of the device, it will inform you.

SUCCESS

The status screen will now show 2 Sonic WiFi devices!

Network Settings

From the Network Settings screen, you will be able to see all current network configurations, and make direct changes to them as desired.

Below is a walk-through of navigating this page.

Network Settings Page

Network name

This is the SSID (name) of your network. You can change it by tapping through.

Network Password

This is the password for your network. You can change it by tapping through.

External IP address

This is the gateway Sonic WiFi WAN IP address.

Gateway IP address

This is the gateway Sonic WiFi LAN IP address.

Network software

From here, you can see if your network software is up-to-date or if there is an update available.

• Up-to-date: The network has the most recent version of the OS
• Update available: The network can be updated by a user-initiated update (or automagically overnight).

Network timezone

The timezone that the network is using for all user settings, including Family Profiles.

Advanced settings

Various advanced settings to customize the network experience (see next section).

Advanced Settings

If you would like to further customize your Sonic WiFi network, you can do so through the Advanced Settings screen. Note that a bridged system will not have these options available.

Internet connection

From here, the user can configure their internet connection type:

• IP (default): The IP address, subnet mask, and router IP address will all be set by the ISP.
• Static IP: The IP address, subnet mask, and router IP address are selected by the user.

DNS

This is where the Domain Name Servers (DNS) can be configured and are used for translating domain names, such as Sonic.com, into IP addresses so they can be reached. You can either use the one distributed by Sonic or choose a custom one. 

DHCP & NAT

This is how the network assigns the IP addresses for your connected devices on the LAN. The user has three options:

1. Automatic (recommended): Sonic WiFi automatically chooses the best settings for the network.

2. Custom: You can set a custom IP address range for your network. This is typically for more complex set-ups; if you're unsure as to how this setting would benefit your network, then it's very likely not necessary. You will need to fully configure the following settings:

• IP Address Prefix: Choose between three IP address prefixes: 192.168.0.0; 10.0.0.0; 172.16.00
• Lease Range: Once a prefix has been set, you will need to set each of the following:

• Subnet IP: This is the range from which client IP addresses should be allocated
• Subnet mask: Separates IP addresses into network and client portions.
• Starting IP: The first IP address in the range
• Ending IP: The last IP in the range.

3. Bridge: In bridge mode, the upstream router will provide all the network settings. While routers will continue to work as a mesh and you will still be able to use the app to administer the network, some advanced features will not be available in bridged mode.

Reservations & Port Forwarding

You can use IP reservations to allow them to keep the same IP address for a particular device. This means the device will always have the same IP address.

You also have the option to set up fort forwards, which is helpful when a device or application requires direct connections to other devices or services on the internet. Please note that these services are UNSUPPORTED by Sonic and are included in this documentation for reference purposes only.

To create an IP Reservation:

1. Tap on Add a reservation
2. Select a device from the list (ex: Craig's iPhone)
3. Tap on the IP address and edit
4. Tap save in the upper right corner

To create a Port Forward: Once an IP reservation has been created, you can set a port forward.

1. Tap on Add a reservation
2. Select a device from the list (ex: Craig's iPhone)
3. Tap on Open a port
4. Name the port
5. Use the external/internal ports as assigned by the manufacturer (you may already have ports of your own they would like to utilize)
6. Select the protocol provided by the manufacturer
7. Tap Save in the upper right corner

UPnP

Universal Plug and Play (UPnP) is a way to allow devices like game consoles and media centers to open ports to the internet automagically. This can be enabled/disabled by switching the toggle to On or Off, respectively.

Restart and Delete network

If you would like to restart your network (for example, when troubleshooting slow performance), you can do so through the app as long as you have an active internet connection.

If you would like to delete their entire network, including all settings and remove all Sonic WiFi devices from their network, you can do so by following the network deletion steps.

Hard/Soft Reset

You can perform a hard or soft reset by pressing and holding the reset button on a Sonic WiFi devcie for a certain length of time. The Sonic WiFi Beacon reset button can be found on the left side and the same instructions below apply. Before resetting, make sure it has been powered on for at least 45 seconds.

Soft reset

A soft reset will clear all network configurations from the Sonic WiFi, but preserve its sessions. This keeps the Sonic WiFi on the network and saves its logs and advanced settings such as IP reservations and port forwarding configurations. To soft reset, hold the reset button until its LED flashes yellow (7 seconds), then release it.

Hard Reset

A hard reset will clear all network configurations, clear its session and logs, and remove the Sonic WiFi from the network. If the Sonic WiFi has an active internet connection, you can achieve the same results by removing it from the network via the app.

Performing a hard reset on a gateway Sonic WiFi (the one connected to the modem or Optical Network Terminal) will remove the entire network and all settings for that network.

If you only need to hard reset one Sonic WiFi, we recommend swapping out the gateway for another one if possible. By extension, if all Sonic WiFi devices are factory reset including the gateway, this will also remove the entire network and all settings for that network.

Note: If you need to transfer a Sonic WiFi unit from one network to a different one, hard-resetting that specific unit will facilitate this. Once it has been hard-reset, you can then follow the procedure for adding a new unit to an existing network.

To hard reset a Sonic WiFi, hold the reset button until the LED flashes red (15 seconds), then release it.

Frequently Asked Questions

LED states

Every Sonic WiFi gateway and Sonic WiFi Beacon has an LED light (however, only the Beacon has a nightlight). Depending on the current status of the Sonic WiFi, it will show one of the following LED states:

No Light: Sonic WiFi doesn't have power (or Sonic WiFi LED is turned off via app)

Blinking White: Sonic WiFi software starting up/connecting to the internet

Blinking Blue: Broadcasting Bluetooth

Solid Blue: The app is connected to your Sonic WiFi and setting it up

Blinking Green: Multiple Sonic WiFi devices detected during setup

Blinking Yellow: Soft reset OR unapproved USB-C power source used

Solid White: Sonic WiFi connected to the internet

Solid Red: Sonic WiFi is not connected to the internet

Blinking Red: Hard reset

Sonic WiFi 101

Below are answers to many frequently asked questions when it comes to using Sonic WiFi.

Can I use a Sonic WiFi Beacon as my gateway?

Sonic WiFi Beacons cannot be used as a gateway.

How many Sonic WiFi devices can I have on a single network?

There is no limit to the number of Sonic WiFi devices. However, more isn’t always better. We generally recommend one Sonic WiFi for every 1,000 square feet but it varies case-by-case.

What speed is Sonic WiFi capable of?

Sonic WiFi's max rated transmit speeds are about 240Mbps at 2.4 GHz and about 600Mbps at 5 GHz. Over a wired connection, the max throughput locally is 1Gbps. Maximum wireless speeds are dependent on the capabilities of the client device as well as the amount of bandwidth being provided by the ISP.

Can I use Sonic WiFi Beacons with non-Sonic WiFi routers?

No, Sonic WiFi Beacons can only be used with other Sonic WiFi devices. In order to add a Beacon to your network, it will need to be added through the app and connected to a gateway that is connected your upstream modem or device via Ethernet.

Will my connection be faster if I hardwire all of my Sonic WiFi devices or if I use the wireless mesh network?

If you’ve got the right equipment, and you’d like to hardwire your Sonic WiFi, you will typically get the fastest connection. Hardwiring your Sonic WiFi means you won’t lose any throughput because there aren’t any wireless hops.

How much distance should there between Sonic WiFi devices?

For the best experience, when wireless, Sonic WiFi and Sonic WiFi Beacons should be no more than 50 feet away from at least one other Sonic WiFi.

Placement Tips

Best Practices for Optimal Placement

To get the best performance from the Sonic WiFi on a network:

Place Sonic WiFi devices where they can talk to each other

While it may seem correct to place Sonic WiFi in dead zones, it is actually best to place Sonic WiFi halfway between dead zones and other Sonic WiFi on the network. This way, the Sonic WiFi on a network are able to obtain strong connections to the network, thus covering more of a home with fast, reliable WiFi.

Place Sonic WiFi on a hard, flat surface

Sonic WiFi perform best when they are placed on a stable and flat surface, such as a table, countertop, or nightstand.

Place Sonic WiFi Beacons in wall outlets

While a Sonic WiFi Beacon can be placed in any available outlet, including powerstrips, they will provide the best performance when plugged directly into a wall outlet.

Keep Sonic WiFi in open spaces

When placing a Sonic WiFi or Sonic WiFi Beacon, it is best keep them in open spaces. Avoid placing Sonic WiFi in closed cabinets, behind heavy electronics, or under/behind any furniture.

Things to Avoid

The following can degrade performance and cause issues for your network:

Heavy metal objects

Sonic WiFi shouldn’t be placed near any heavy metal objects such as doors, refrigerators, laundry machines, and Megadeth albums. These objects can cause interference with wireless radios.

Avoid interference

Sonic WiFi work best when they are 20-30 feet away from objects that cause interference. Avoid objects like microwaves, cordless landline phones, and older coaxial cables from certain satellite dishes.

Smothering Sonic WiFi

As mentioned above, Sonic WiFi should always be placed out in the open. This includes placing anything on top of them. Also avoid having Sonic WiFi enclosed in small spaces, such as cabinets, closets or behind couches.

Soft surfaces

Always strive to place Sonic WiFi on a stable surface. Avoid chairs, cushions, and ottomans that don’t allow the necessary space for a Sonic WiFi to breathe.

Setup Frequently Asked Questions

Does it matter which Sonic WiFi I start with?

It doesn’t matter which Sonic WiFi is used to start creating the network, as long as it is a Sonic WiFi gateway and not a Sonic WiFi Beacon.

Can I connect my Sonic WiFi with an Ethernet cord?

Yes, you can connect your Sonic WiFi with an Ethernet cord. However, since Sonic WiFi Beacons don’t have any Ethernet ports, they can only be connected to a network wirelessly.

What if I need additional Ethernet ports?

If you need additional Ethernet ports for your connected devices, you can connect an Ethernet switch to your network. When adding an Ethernet switch, it should be connected directly to your Sonic WiFi, and not between your Sonic WiFi and modem.

Can I use a tablet to manage my network?

While the app is not currently formatted for tablet use, users will still have access to full functionality on their tablets.

Can multiple people manage a Sonic WiFi network?

At this time, there can only be one account used to manage a Sonic WiFi network. However, as many people as the admin wants can share access to the account. They will just need to provide a verification code that’s sent to their phone and/or email.

Can I add a range extender to my Sonic WiFi network?

No; Sonic WiFi can only mesh with other Sonic WiFi gateways and Sonic WiFi Beacons.

Troubleshooting

Gateway Setup Issues

Getting Started Before beginning, be sure to check:

1. The mobile app is up-to-date
2. The mobile device is able to communicate with the Sonic WiFi cloud, by ensuring:

• The mobile device has cellular data turn on
• The mobile device isn’t connected to their modem or other networking device
• The mobile device isn’t connected to a local hot spot

1. The modem has been registered with ISP (if purchased from third-party retailer)

Troubleshooting Steps

1. Disconnect other devices from modem and power off the modem and Sonic WiFi
2. Use one Ethernet cable to connect an Sonic WiFi to the modem
3. Power on both the Sonic WiFi and the modem
4. Once both devices are fully booted, open the app and begin the setup flow

If the user runs into an error, have them try each of these steps and re-attempt setup:

1. Power cycle the modem with the Sonic WiFi connected
2. Hard reset the gateway (press & hold reset button until LED blinks red)
3. Try a different Sonic WiFi (if possible)

If the above steps don’t resolve this issue, consider the following:

• Make sure that the WAN connection cable isn’t frayed, poorly terminated, or has questionable integrity, and that the Sonic WiFi is properly connected to modem (one Ethernet cable to a designated LAN port). If the cable checks out, connect an end-device like a laptop or desktop to the modem, power cycle the modem, and see if the internet is reachable.

General Network Issues

Leaf node offline

When a Sonic WiFi leaf node goes offline, you may see one of the following LED states:

Solid Red: Sonic WiFi is not connected to the internet.

If the leaf Sonic WiFi is wired to the gateway:

Check:

1. What the Ethernet cable is connected to
2. Ensure solid Ethernet connection
3. Disconnect/reconnect Ethernet cable from both ends if possible
4. Move the Ethernet cable to the other port on the Sonic WiFi
5. Try a new Ethernet cable

If none of the above work:

1. Disconnect Ethernet cable and reboot Sonic WiFi (see if it can come up wirelessly)
2. Swap power adapters with a known good adapter from another Sonic WiFi

Did the problem follow the Sonic WiFi or stay in the same location?

1. If moving the Sonic WiFi moved the problem to the new location, it's likely a hardware issue.
2. If the newly-placed Sonic WiFi is showing a red LED, it is likely a cable/topology problem.

If the leaf Sonic WiFi is wireless:

1. Check placement
2. Swap Sonic WiFi location with another leaf node
3. Move the leaf Sonic WiFi closer to another Sonic WiFi on network
4. Swap leaf Sonic WiFi with gateway (if possible)
5. If the Sonic WiFi still doesn't connect, it may need to be replaced.

Solid white: Sonic WiFi connected to the internet

Perform a Soft Reset:

The Sonic WiFi should go solid white for a few seconds, then blinking white, and then solid white again.

If that fails, perform a Hard Reset:

If hard reset and Sonic WiFi LED goes solid white and stays solid white with no connection, please contact Sonic; we may need to further troubleshoot and potentially replace the device.

No Light: Sonic WiFi doesn't have power (or Sonic WiFi LED is turned off)

1. Ensure Sonic WiFi is plugged into power
2. Swap power adapters with a known good adapter
3. Plug Sonic WiFi into a different wall socket

Advanced Troubleshooting

As a courtesy, we have included some tips for trouble-shooting some of the advanced features included in the Sonic WiFi system. Please note that these features are outside the scope of what Sonic can support; problems with these configuration options should be directed here.

Device only supports 2.4GHz or needs a single band router

Even if a device only uses the 2.4GHz frequency, it should have no issue connecting to Sonic WiFi. However, sometimes adding these devices for the first time can present a challenge. In these scenarios, try (in this order):

• Try removing all but one Sonic WiFi
• Increase the distance between the device and the Sonic WiFi, forcing it to switch to 2.4GHz
• Setup the old router with the network name/password as the Sonic WiFi network, then add back the Sonic WiFi network
• Reboot the (1) device, (2) gateway Sonic WiFi
• Try connecting the device to the guest network

Potential Issue: Device is experiencing slow speeds

If a device is experiencing slow speeds, take the following into consideration:

• What are the max bitrates the device is capable of?
• What is the distance between the device and the Sonic WiFi?
• What type of ethernet is being used (Cat5 vs. Cat5e/Cat6)?
• Is the device connected to the old network?

What to look for during troubleshooting:

• Is the device connected to the Sonic WiFi network?
• Is it connected to the 2.4GHz or 5GHz frequency?
• Which Sonic WiFi is it connected to?
• How close is it to the Sonic WiFi? Are there obstructions?

If the issue continues:

• Powercycle device, network, and/or modem
• Check to see if an update is available (OS/driver/etc) for the Sonic WiFi network and/or device

Potential Issue: Devices falling offline

If a device is continuing to fall off the network, take the following into consideration:

• Is there wireless congestion on the network?
• Is the device failing to roam?
• Is the device losing its IP address?
• Where is the Sonic WiFi placed in the home, and where is the device in relation to it?
• Is the device connected to the old network?

If the issue continues:

• Toggle the device's wifi off/on
• Set an IP reservation for the device
• Have the device forget the network and rejoin
• Check to see if an update is available (OS/driver/etc) for the Sonic WiFi network and/or device
• Reboot the network
• Soft reset the network
• Contact support

Potential Issue: Trouble with Port Forwarding

If you are experiencing any issues with a port forward you have created, first check:

• Is the affected client device currently connected to the Sonic WiFi network?
• Are all the Sonic WiFi on the latest firmware version (check by tapping on each individual Sonic WiFi)?
• Has it worked in the past? Has anything changed?
• Is the affected client device behind a double NAT network?
• Does the device have an IP address? Does it match the reserved IP?
• Is the device paused via Family Profiles or has it been blocked?

If the issue continues:

• Try navigating to "IP__address:port_number" in a web browser (ex: 192.168.7.20:80) to see if the service is working locally

• If this fails, something is not configured properly on the device

• Change the external port by adding increments of one (ex:80 → 81)
• Soft reset the gateway Sonic WiFi
• Reboot the gateway Sonic WiFi and client device

Potential Issue: Devices can't see each other

If client devices are unable to see each other (ex: computer and printer), first check:

• Are the two devices connected to the same network?
• If they are, is one connected to another router using the same network name/password?

If the issue continues:

• Have the devices forget the network and rejoin
• Try connecting the two devices via ethernet (if possible)
• Check troubleshooting steps from the manufacturer

WiFi 6 is now Available!

For those struggling with poor WiFi connectivity like slower than expected speeds or occasional network drop outs, WiFi 6 will help you. WiFi 6 is the new standard for wireless broadcast. More information about this can be found here