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Backup Home Internet Session Automation

I am using the new Verizon 5G Home Internet Backup service as a standby connection to my primary fiber internet. My home network is a HPE Instant On (formerly Aruba) wireless access point system behind redundant pfSense routers.

All wifi modems are disabled on the Verizon router and the backup connection is supplied to the pfSense routers via ethernet, where pfSense monitors the primary WAN for latency or packet loss issues. When pfSense detects an issue with the primary connection, it will seamlessly failover to the Verizon connection, if there is a backup session in progress.

My issue is that I need a way to automate the process of starting a Verizon backup session. I haven't been able to find a lot of information on this. I believe the way this normally works is that a session is automatically started usually when a device connects to the Verizon router's wifi network. There is also an option to manually start a session from the Verizon Home app, which I have had success in doing but it requires manual intervention and I lose internet connectivity in the process.

Does anyone have any ideas on automating the backup session initilization? Is there a way to create a backup session by visiting a web address, etc? If that is a possibility, I could create a script to start a new session when pfSense detects an outtage on my primary connection.

Thanks in advance for any ideas on my issue!

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Comments

Verizon_Support

We've got your back! Sending you a private note now.

-Cryssie

WolfHunter1043

You ever figure out a way? Same boat

jerrythea

I have a nearly identical scenario.

Can a Verizon rep. reach out?

jdrury

Bumping this. Have a similar setup but using a Unifi Dream Machine Pro to handle the automatic failover. Would like to automate starting a session when a failover occurs.

cpuh

These are all just my thoughts having built and run many networks that required redundancy, and my experiences with Verizon 5G Home Internet service. I am just a customer that may know what you're after, but I'm not sure this community will be able to help (Reddit maybe?).

Are you all referring to this? https://www.verizon.com/articles/home/how-to-setup-your-wifi-backup/

If so, you're trying to use a consumer service that provides backup Internet service via Wi-Fi. I completely understand what you're asking for, but I don't think that's how the service works. The session activation is triggered by a device connecting to the Wi-Fi network on the Verizon router.

As it's not a super sophisticated consumer service, it's measured temporally (24 hour increments). It's measuring activity off of Wi-Fi Devices connected to the Verizon router, not just packet flow thru the router via any connection.

If there's some magic to make the service work other than advertised, I'll be intrigued. Otherwise, you'll likely need to use a constant and not on-demand WAN link for your backup. I go back far enough to remember using POTS and ISDN modems to do this, but those type of on-demand links were intended for Ethernet activation, where-as this service appears to be Wi-Fi activated.

Verizon_Support

Hello, thank you for reaching out. How may we assist you today?

^XS

jerrythea

The good news is that when the back up Internet is not activated, the ping request properly fails.

this ensures that the gateway is not considered a valid candidate unless it’s manually turned on.

As far as enabling the gateway, you do not necessarily need to be on the same Wi-Fi network as the gateway.

As long as you have firewall rules that allow you to get to the IP address of the gateway, the App will let you turn on the 24 hour. Period.

jerrythea

Additionally it looks like the app is required to turn on the 24 hour. Period. I could not find a way to do it from the web interface

jerrythea

It looks like there is a way to use the Wi-Fi captive portal to enable a 24 hour session.

I was able to do this on a Mac.

in theory, this could be scripted.

adamwinter

Same question. I have an Eero WiFi that is connected to my fiber for primary internet and the eero supports a backup internet which I have connected via WiFi to my Verizon gateway (and I’m using the backup internet plan). But the Eero can’t automatically fail over to Verizon because I need to use the Verizon app to activate a session. I would prefer to have the ability for sessions to get automatically activated by a device connecting to it and using the internet connection.

Verizon_Support

Hello adamwinter. We understand having your internet services syncing when needed is important. We will send you a private message so we can look into this with you further.

-Toni

masanoriyusa

I have the same question. My router can automatically failover to a WiFi connection and I need to automate starting a session

Verizon_Support

We want to help in regards to the back up service you have. We will be sending you a private message to better assist.

-Rosie

BRSAustin

I have the same need and just purchased the Backup Wifi Service. Can someone provide details on how to configure to have Eero auto failover to the Verizon backup wifi without manual intervention?

Verizon_Support

Verizon Wi-Fi Backup provides a wireless internet connection when your primary internet connection goes down. It connects to the Verizon Wireless network and offers seven 24-hour sessions per month. You can set up Wi-Fi Backup using the Verizon Home app:

Download the Verizon Home app
Unbox the Verizon Internet Gateway and power adapter
Place the gateway on an elevated surface near a window, away from existing Wi-Fi equipment
Plug in the power adapter
Wait for the blinking white light to stop and signal bars to appear
If the gateway can't find a signal, move it to a new spot
Tap Verizon Backup Gateway in the app
Tap Continue on the Welcome to Wi-Fi Backup setup screen
Tap Yes on the Is the Verizon Internet Gateway already plugged in? screen
Tap Continue on the Ready to start setup? screen
Tap Signal strength & Wi-Fi status on the Which Gateway lights are on now? screen
Tap Continue on the What color is the Gateway's system status light? screen
Select the option that matches the number of signal strength bars showing on the gateway
Tap Continue on the Wi-Fi Backup is ready and a setup session is active screen
Finish setup

You can also start a Wi-Fi Backup session by selecting your gateway's Wi-Fi network and opening a browser window. Once you've set up Wi-Fi Backup, you can use the app to check usage and view remaining session

-Joe

UMJonny

Anyone every find a solution to this problem?

theEsquire

I also would be a subscriber if I had an answer to the questions: any ideas on automating the backup session initialization? Is there a way to create a backup session by visiting a web address, etc?

Verizon_Support

To initiate a 24-hour session, access the Verizon Home app and activate it from the dashboard. This manual activation prevents unintended use, as automatic session triggering is not currently available. You can learn more at https://www.verizon.com/support/wifi-backup-faqs/

-James

DrMarcusBrody

Im also interested in a fix.

I have a UnFi UDM Pro, WAN 1 is the primary internet. I'm using the WiFi gateway backup in IP passthrough acting as failover on WAN 2. How do I automate the session activation in the event that the primary WAN 1 goes out?

The_original_guy

Here's my fix: Spectrum gigabit internet + basic home TV service for $80/month. I'm paying less for unlimited gigabit than I did for Verizon service.

Verizon_Support

-Kristen

GEOPS

This is a big problem. We should have a way to script a session start via web or api...

vikingking

This would be a more attractive option if it didn't trigger a straight 24 hour session and could be configured to work off of the routers failsafe.

grumpygroundhog

I have the same setup, with a router that will automatically failover to the Verizon gateway (with backup internet plan). I’m also interested in any solutions to allow the automatic failover to work.

grumpygroundhog

I have a similar setup with a router that will failover to the Verizon gateway (with the backup internet plan). I’m also interested in any solutions to allow the automatic failover to work (or start a session automatically).

Verizon_Support

Hello and thank you for your inquiry! We have guidance on all most common inquiries about our WiFi Back Up service on our website, I'll include a link below. Please be on the lookout for a private note offering additional support if needed.

https://www.verizon.com/support/wifi-backup-faqs/

-Christy

Verizon_Support

Hello grumpugroundhog! We saw your concern with the automatic failover on the WiFi Back Up, is this still something you're having issues with?

-Christy

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