Trying to connect a device to my cox panoramic router but need a 802.11b protocol. Customer service would not help me :-(. Anyone here more friendly and knowledgeable? Is it possible or am out of luck? Thanks for any insight.

Hi Michael, thank you for the reply. I can certainly provide more details but I think if the answer to the question, "can the Cox panoramic Wi-Fi router connect on 802.11b?" is "no" then no further explanation (or frustration) would be needed. :-/ The challenge is in the router not in the device. More details: I am trying to connect a Fitbit Aria scale (gen 1) that specifically states it requires 802.11b protocol. From what I can determine on the Cox site, the router comes out of the box ready with a and c protocols. So I am trying to determine if it is possible to reconfigure the modem somehow so that it will connect to my device? Appreciate your feedback. :-)

I understand why Aria uses the term 802.11b; however, I don't understand why Aria uses the term 802.11b. Make sense? There are many versions of the 802.11 standard from a to bb. Some versions started a standard, some improved a standard, some combined standards and some predicted a standard. Out of all these standards, however, 802.11b was the first to use the 2.4 GHz frequency. So, I understand why Aria uses the term "802.11b" because out of all the standards nowadays (802.11g, 802.11n, 802.11ac, 802.11ax), Aria absolutely requires the 802.11b. However, 802.11b, in this sense, is more of a retronym to refer to the 2.4 GHz frequency. What Aria means is it absolutely requires the 2.4 GHz frequency. Aria doesn't mean it must use an 802.11b router. This would be silly because 802.11b routers are limited to 11 Mbps and the very old, very ineffective WEP security. Moreover, 802.11i standardized WPA and WPA2 so Aria obviously requires a more advanced router. However, 802.11b was the first to use 2.4 GHz. 802.11b means 2.4 GHz. Aria uses 2.4 GHz. Most modern routers still support 2.4 GHz. You noted Aria worked flawlessly with your old router. If your old router supported 2.4 GHz, Aria should have worked. As I mentioned below, I think there's a limitation with Panoramic connecting to older 2.4 GHz devices, and it may be an issue with channel width. Therefore, if you want Aria to work on your network, stop renting Panoramic and buy your own router. I don't understand how this router could create so many problems. It's like anti-functionality.

You won't be alone because plenty of contributors will help you.

Hi BlueGirl, Providing some additional details will help the members of the forum assist you better. What type of device are you trying to add to your home network? Are you getting an error message when you try to add the device? Thank you, Mike J. Cox Support Forums Moderator

older devices may not connect to panoramic unit. i've got 2 older dell laptops that see the pano unit but entering pw/key, won't connect.

802.11b uses 2.4 GHz. The Panoramic is a dual-band router (2.4 GHz & 5 GHz) so as long as you have the 2.4 GHz enabled on the Panoramic, it should connect. However, some users report not being able to connect their older protocols (b/g) to the Panoramic. I'm sure you heard of WiFi "channels" and, within the North American domain, there are 11 channels. The 11 channels on the 2.4 GHz frequency are 22 MHz wide. If you increase the width of the channel, such as to 40, 80, 160 MHz, you can increase wireless bandwidth but reduce the number of channels. I don't have Panoramic so I don't know if you can set the width of the channels on its 2.4 GHz. Some users either can't find an option or if they do, have it set to Automatic. What width is "Automatic?" 20...40 MHz? The reason I mention this is because most older protocols don't negotiate channel width. It's either 22 MHz or nothing. If Panoramic does use 22 MHz, your 802.11b should connect. I guess questions for a moderator: is there a 20 or 22 MHz option on the Panoramic...and...what width is Automatic?

Cox router connect to device on 802.11b?

13 Replies

MichaelJ
Moderator
Hi BlueGirl,

Providing some additional details will help the members of the forum assist you better. What type of device are you trying to add to your home network? Are you getting an error message when you try to add the device?

Thank you,

Mike J.
Cox Support Forums Moderator
- BlueGirl
  New Contributor II
  Hi Michael, thank you for the reply. I can certainly provide more details but I think if the answer to the question, "can the Cox panoramic Wi-Fi router connect on 802.11b?" is "no" then no further explanation (or frustration) would be needed. :-/ The challenge is in the router not in the device.
  
  More details:
  
  I am trying to connect a Fitbit Aria scale (gen 1) that specifically states it requires 802.11b protocol. From what I can determine on the Cox site, the router comes out of the box ready with a and c protocols. So I am trying to determine if it is possible to reconfigure the modem somehow so that it will connect to my device?
  
  Appreciate your feedback. :-)
  - Bruce
    Honored Contributor III
    I read some customers' requests for help and this is an odd device. I recommend researching a solution on the Aria Forum.
    
    Note: The Panoramic supports 802.11ac...not a and c.
    
    community.fitbit.com/.../aria
bearone2
Contributor III
older devices may not connect to panoramic unit.

i've got 2 older dell laptops that see the pano unit but entering pw/key, won't connect.
Bruce
Honored Contributor III
802.11b uses 2.4 GHz. The Panoramic is a dual-band router (2.4 GHz & 5 GHz) so as long as you have the 2.4 GHz enabled on the Panoramic, it should connect. However, some users report not being able to connect their older protocols (b/g) to the Panoramic.

I'm sure you heard of WiFi "channels" and, within the North American domain, there are 11 channels. The 11 channels on the 2.4 GHz frequency are 22 MHz wide. If you increase the width of the channel, such as to 40, 80, 160 MHz, you can increase wireless bandwidth but reduce the number of channels.

I don't have Panoramic so I don't know if you can set the width of the channels on its 2.4 GHz. Some users either can't find an option or if they do, have it set to Automatic. What width is "Automatic?" 20...40 MHz?

The reason I mention this is because most older protocols don't negotiate channel width. It's either 22 MHz or nothing. If Panoramic does use 22 MHz, your 802.11b should connect. I guess questions for a moderator: is there a 20 or 22 MHz option on the Panoramic...and...what width is Automatic?
- bearone2
  Contributor III
  years ago i used ch11 on the linksys combo router. could hide ssid but didn't have a smart phone, that's when hiding ssid wouldn't connect to the phone..
  
  thanks for the explanation but using the laptop once a week with old router isn't killing me!.
  - Bruce
    Honored Contributor III
    Explanation wuz for OP.

Forum Discussion

Cox router connect to device on 802.11b?

13 Replies

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