Network Matrix seems to be a mess

The Network Matrix, does not track WiFi connections or support the newest Players. Potentially, there is a source of interference near TV and a smaller amount near Kitchen.

I’m less concerned about the interference and more concerned about the five extra devices and incorrect serial numbers being reported.  I have cat5 by the playbase so I could plug it in to eliminate the red.

I’m also not sure what you mean by “the newest players”.  Do you mean the S2 controller app?

Stranger still, my playbase (listed on the matrix as “TV”) is connected by ethernet.

The main wireless MAC address is +1 with respect to the serial number.

The 5GHz secondary wireless MAC (if present) is +2.

Home theatre satellites leave all kinds of vacant columns on the matrix as they move between 2.4GHz when idle and 5GHz when in use.

As for the Playbase, re-enable “WiFi” in the controller settings for that room if it’s disabled.

No, I mean products using more modern wireless technology, such as ARC or FIVE, do not report data in a format that Network Matrix supports.

Got it.  That explains why my “Move” isn’t reporting properly.

Thx.

My understanding is that the 5GHZ network is only used for 5.1 setups.  But, none of my devices in the 5.1 setup (playbase, play:1, play:1, & sub) show up in the matrix with mac addresses that are +2 over my serial numbers.

Also, am I messing up my setup by having my playbase connected by ethernet AND with wifi on?

Thanks for your help with this.

In general, you are better off enabling wireless on all units. I understand that some users want to disable as much RF energy as possible because they feel RF energy is a health hazard. As we become more and more dependent on wireless, these people will need to accept the operational quirks. In the case when there is a pile of PORT’s or AMP’s in a closet, there are advantages when connecting all units to a network switch and disabling wireless on all but one unit.

In any case, in its current state, the Network Matrix has very little utility for modern systems. In this respect, you are lucky to have older units.

If you want to dig for it, there is some extra (undocumented) data in each player’s area.

So wifi AND ethernet on the playbase is OK?  

Yes. I wish that SONOS had not used the word “WiFi” for that option. They should have used “Radio”. These days everyone is equating “wireless” and “WiFi”. This is unfortunate because there are many other wireless schemes. SonosNet ignores WiFi and WiFi ignores SonosNet, however, both operate in the same frequency range and can interfere with each other when not properly setup.

You can minimize this interference by using 20MHz 2.4GHz channels, use only channel 1, 6, or 11, and use different channels for SonosNet and WiFi. Don’t use “Auto” for WiFi channels because the choice is almost universally less than optimum.