Calix BLAST u6 Gigaspire Mesh WiFi 6 Router User Guide

Calix GigaSpire BLAST u6 & u4
System Setup Guide for Employee User Group
This document is updated as of November 22, 2021

What have I received? And why?
You have opted to take part in the Calix GigaSpire Employee Pilot Program. Depending on the answers that you provided on the intake questionnaire, you will receive one GigaSpire BLAST u6 system and potentially GigaSpire BLAST u4 or u4m systems to provide additional coverage.
Note: If you have an existing GigaSpire BLAST system in your home, onboarding a new BLAST u6 as your gateway will reset your Wi-Fi network name (SSID) to ‘Calix GigaSpire WiFi’. You will also lose customized configurations in CommandIQ, like Enhanced Parental Control profiles. This can be avoided by contacting gigahelp@calix.com to schedule a TAC-assisted install.
How do I get started?
The following slides provide quick-start instructions to get you up and running. Please keep in mind, that your experience is not the same as a typical subscriber, whose GigaSpire BLAST system would be connected to a service provider network that has the back-office integration to initially provide the management settings needed to fully set up the GigaSpire and all its features. Instead, you will be connecting your GigaSpire BLAST system to your existing service provider’s gateway. This is referred to as an ‘OFF-NET’ model and is not typical. Your experience will otherwise be identical to that of a typical residential subscriber of high-speed Internet services.
If you need help along the way, reach out to the Technical Assistance Center (TAC) team:
• gigahelp@calix.com 

Important Notes

Please note a few things before proceeding with install and set-up of your GigaSpire BLAST system(s):

1. The instructions provided in this document are based on the assumption that your Internet service is being provided by a router/gateway that was installed by your service provider.
2. If you received more than one GigaSpire BLAST system, one will act as your primary residential gateway and the other(s) will act as a Mesh Wi-Fi system.
3. Placement of your GigaSpire systems is important. Do not place your GigaSpire system:

• Behind a large mirror or in a room that is separated from the rest of the home by dense building materials, like concrete or brick

• Next to other household devices that also emit signals that might interfere with your Wi-Fi signals, such as microwaves, baby monitors, and cordless phones

• Next to large metal household appliances, like a refrigerator, freezer, washer, or dryer

• On or near the floor; try to install the GigaSpire BLAST systems at eye level (or higher), ideally on a shelf
  Note: If you initially configure your GigaSpire, and want to change to another configuration, please contact the TAC team.
  Here is some important information to keep in mind when setting up and using your new GigaSpire BLAST systems:

• The default network name for each u6 is the ‘SSID’ value that appears on the label found on the bottom of the u6 (shown right).

• When your u6 connects, it will check in automatically to a Calix instance of Calix Support Cloud (CSC). When this happens, the default SSIDs (of both the 5 GHz and 2.4 GHz radios) are changed to ‘Calix GigaSpire WiFi’. As a result, you will have a single SSID (network name) for all devices in your home.

• The ‘WPA Key’ value that appears on the label affixed to the bottom of the GigaSpire (shown above) refers to the default password to the Wi-Fi network, required when connecting your devices (e.g., smartphones, tablets, laptops, etc.)

• To avoid having to reconnect your existing devices (e.g., smartphones, tablets, laptops, etc.) to the new Wi-Fi network, you might want to change your new SSID (‘Calix GigaSpire WiFi’) to match the existing SSID used by your previous router using the Calix CommandIQ app. Instructions to do this can be found on the last page of this document.

• Note: When changing your SSID, it will be case-sensitive, so be sure that it matches exactly.

• It is recommended that once the u6 is up and running, you turn off the Wi-Fi on the router/gateway provided by your service provider. For instructions on how to do that, visit your CSP website.

• To enable advanced features (like ExperienceIQ and ProtectIQ) in CommandIQ, please contact the Calix Technical Assistance Center (TAC) @ gigahelp@calix.com.

Setting up your GigaSpire BLAST systems

1. Connect the GigaSpire BLAST u6 to a power outlet.

2. Connect one end of the supplied Ethernet cable to one of the LAN ports found on the back of the Internet access device provided by your service provider (e.g., modem, router, gateway) and the other end of the cable to the WAN port on the back of the u6. The LED will flash when booting.
   The steady green LED indicates you have connectivity to the Internet.
   Note: The SSID (network name) of your new GigaSpire will be ‘Calix GigaSpire WiFi’ when the system has checked into Calix Support Cloud. The password remains the default setting; as found on the bottom of your GigaSpire (or on the sticker that came in your box) beside ‘W PA Key’.

3. Set up your Calix CommandIQ App (see the last page for details).

(as a satellite) Using wireless backhaul

1. Connect the GigaSpire BLAST u4 to a power outlet.

2. When the LED is red on the satellite u4, you can begin pairing it with the first Gigaspire BLAST u6.
   Press and hold the WPS button on the first u6 system for 3 seconds, then on the second u4 system for 3 seconds (less than 30 seconds apart).

3. Be sure to set up your Calix CommandIQ App (see the last page for details).
   Note: The LED on both of the systems will flash GREEN when pairing for wireless backhaul.
   The u6 should blink green and return to solid green within 2 minutes. The u4 will cycle through colors as it connects and updates.
   Once pairing is successfully complete, both systems will show a solid green light (this may take several minutes).
   You can then move to step 3.
   Otherwise, re-attempt until pairing is successful.

(as a satellite) Using wired backhaul

1. Connect the GigaSpire BLAST u6 to a power outlet.

2. Connect one end of the supplied Ethernet cable to the LAN port found on the back of the first u6 and the other end of the cable to the WAN port on the back of the satellite u4 system.
   NOTE: Once pairing is successfully complete, both systems will show a solid green light (this may take several minutes). You can then move to step

4. Set up your Calix CommandIQ App (see the last page for details).

Setting up your Wi-Fi and CommandIQ App

1. Download the app. Search either the Apple App Store or Google Play Store for “CommandIQ” and install it on your mobile device.

2. Select “Let’s Get Started”

3. Select “Sign Up” (found at the bottom of the screen).
   *Be sure to select “USA” as your location for Searchlight

4. Enter your personal information, then press Sign Up.
   The password you enter here will be used to access the app. Note: Please wait at least 10 minutes after plugging in your GigaSpire BLAST u6, before selecting “Yes” to the question regarding your system being plugged in and connected. Proceeding to Step 5 earlier may result in this error message:
   ‘Please contact your service provider to onboard your router.’

5. Tap the QR code that appears within the app, then scan the QR Code that is affixed to the bottom of your GigaSpire BLAST u6 (or on the sticker that came in your box).
   Note: You will be asked to allow the “CommandIQ” App to access your camera.
   Select OK.

6. Point your phone’s camera at the QR code (so that it is displayed on your screen) and wait 1-2 seconds.

*Notes:

• The Network Name (SSID) is what you will use as your wireless connection name.
• If you do not want to change your password on all the devices in your home, use your existing wireless SSID and Password from your current router when setting up the new GigaSpire BLAST network.
• To enable advanced features (like ExperienceIQ and ProtectIQ), contact gigahelp@calix.com.

Simplify. Excite. Grow.
Need help?
Contact support:gigahelp@calix.com
© 2021 Calix. All rights reserved.

Documents / Resources

| Calix BLAST u6 Gigaspire Mesh WiFi 6 Router [pdf] User Guide
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