Sonos dropouts on Omada network

The max on a Sonos system is supposedly 32. I’ve never been that close, although I think ​some users here are (@Ajtrek1, maybe?) (oddly, the system isn’t working for tagging, he’ll likely read this anyway). 

But it’s still possible that you’re not hitting that, as you have them split into two systems. But that doesn’t remove the potential for the wifi interference , no matter what the router make is. I’m not familiar with any particular issues with Omada, in the grand scheme, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t a setting you may need to adjust, either. I think I would recommend that you submit a system diagnostic within 10 minutes of experiencing this problem, and call Sonos Support to discuss it. Don’t post the resulting diagnostic number here, they get sensitive about GDPR.

There may be information included in the diagnostic that will help Sonos pinpoint the issue and help you find a solution.

When you speak directly to the Support staff, they have tools at their disposal that will allow them to give you advice specific to your network and Sonos system.

​@AjTrek1 

There, that worked, it appears. 

Dropping this here for reference:

https://support.sonos.com/en-us/article/incompatible-network-hardware

I note there’s no mention of Omada with any endemic issues, but there’s no date associated with that list, and things do change over time, which is another reason to call Support. 

Ok ill give that a go unless I hear otherwise on this forum.  Thanks

is the max 32 devices per system, or 32 across however many systems you have?  THey have multiple places with soundbar, sub and rear surrounds, so that eats up a lot of devices.

I think it’s an addressing thing, so it would be across a single system, and not across multiples. Based on the 32 number. 

I suppose it would be relatively easy (by some definition of ‘easy’) to test, merely by unplugging until you got down to, say, 30 or so, then testing. But I’m 98% certain it’s a per system number, and not affected by multiple systems. 

You can add up to 32 products to a single system

Ok that’s what I thought. The second system has no issue that I know of. Most of the devices on that system are within home theater setups. So not a lot of music streaming. 

Likely correct, most ‘crosstalk’ between speakers on a home theater ‘setup’ is local, and not through your WiFi, although they do receive IPs through the soundbar as a proxy. 

​@Cornflakes81 

Just a few basics about Sonos systems in general:

• They are very “chatty” as they are constantly communicating across your network
• They can tax even the best configured networks 
• They typically don’t play well with Switches and Access Points (not to be confused with satellites in a mesh network)
• The number of Sonos Units on a system is thirty 32 (click here for more information0

The next links you’ve probably read but I’ll throw then in anyway:

• Known limitations with separate S1 and S2 Sonos systems | Sonos
• Set up separate S1 and S2 Sonos systems | Sonos

I have 31 units in my Mesh Network with no drops. However, I’m not running two systems which I suspect may be creating a lot of cross-talk and interference one to the other. Nor am I using managed switches which can be problematic.

I’d be inclined as ​@Airgetlam alluded to is to try and clean things up a bit. Simplify your Sonos maybe having a split system at the magnitude of 50 Sonos units just isn’t practical. I don’t have the answer so contacting Sonos Tech support is probably your best option.

Good Luck to get things sorted 😊

I’ve seen in some places to assign the sonos speakers to certain aps they are close to. There are 20 APs in this setup so would that help?

Side discussion, likely related, here:

Wow! 20 AP’s...OMG! 

I previously said I didn’t have an answer...and I still don’t. However I have a pretty good idea of at least one problem. 

With 50 Sonos units already talking constantly and 20 AP’s to boot; (not to mention other network traffic and let’s not exclude internal and external interference), there’s better than a 50/50 chance you have created a “Network Storm”. Below is an AI generated definition. I’ll let you draw your own conclusion(s).

A network storm

• Is a situation in which an excessive amount of broadcast traffic floods a network, causing it to degrade or even fail completely. This overwhelming volume of broadcast packets, often caused by network loops or misconfigurations, consumes bandwidth and overwhelms network devices like switches and routers. Symptoms include slow speeds, devices going offline, and flickering switch lights, which indicate the network is struggling to process the traffic

What is a broadcast packet? 

• It's like shouting in a room so everyone can hear you at once.
• A broadcast packet is a type of data packet sent from a single source to all other devices within the same network segment or broadcast domain.

How does it happen?

• Network Loops: The most common cause is a network loop, where data packets get stuck in a continuous cycle between multiple interconnected devices. 
• Misconfigurations: Incorrectly configured network devices can also contribute to a storm. 
• Malfunctioning Hardware: Faulty network devices can send out an excessive amount of broadcast traffic. 

How to detect a network storm: 

• Network Speed Slowdown: The network suddenly becomes extremely slow or feels like it's moving through "treacle".
• Device Disconnections: Multiple devices lose their network connection.
• Flickering Switch Lights: The lights on network switches may blink rapidly and brightly, resembling a strobe light.

It would be good to look at the wifi channels in use and their utilization percentages.

I had a batch of security cameras running that put my channel utilization somewhere above 50% and I was seeing Sonos, and other devices, having issues.

Do people know what ‘treacle’ is these days?

Well this house has 3 full functioning levels to it. Each level is roughly 2700 square feet including the garages. Plus we ran some outdoor APs to cover a very large deck and porches. Finally there is a large metal Buildbig/ shop that we bridged over to with 2 APs out there. There is a Sonos amp out there.