Replacing Orcon Genius White (NetComm NF4V) router with new one

Forums › LAN (ethernet/Wifi/routers/Bluetooth) › Replacing Orcon Genius White (NetComm NF4V) router with new one

Jonom

3 posts

Wannabe Geek

#179132 27-Aug-2015 21:17

Hi guys

I've just put a wireless AC card in my desktop computer (was previously running an ethernet cable) and now want to take advantage of the AC wireless technology and get an AC router.

We're on Orcon Fibre and was wondering how easy the set up would be or what I need to know in swapping the NF4V with a better 3rd party router.

I don't know too much about all this, but I gathered that you'd want to put NF4V into 'bridge' mode and disable its router functionality and use it as just a modem. I've also read that the new router would have to have VLAN Tagging, which I don't know much about.

Has anyone here done this or know if it's a pretty easy process? And does anyone recommend any routers for this purpose?

Thanks!

johnr

19282 posts

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Inactive user

#1375402 27-Aug-2015 21:20

Why would you go from Ethernet to wireless? The only thing you have done is introduce a weak point which is the wireless part on public shared spectrum

ubergeeknz

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Vocus

#1375403 27-Aug-2015 21:23

The NF4V doesn't support Bridge mode. Also you are better off with Gigabit Ethernet than AC, in the real world. If you do want Wireless, try N first (as the NF4V has) - it should keep up with 100/50 UFB unless congestion is bad. If you really want AC, get an access point, disable the built in wifi, and do it that way. Easier.

johnr

19282 posts

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Inactive user

#1375423 27-Aug-2015 21:29

WiFi is not a replacement for Ethernet and this blog post by Sbiddle here on Geekzone explains why

http://www.geekzone.co.nz/sbiddle/8728

DarkShadow

1647 posts

Uber Geek

#1375426 27-Aug-2015 21:38

Did you have any reason for replacing ethernet with WiFi? Do you move your desktop round your house all the the time?

Jonom

3 posts

Wannabe Geek

#1375430 27-Aug-2015 22:05

Thanks for the responses. That was quick!

Ideally I'd continue to use the cabled connection, but it wasn't the most attractive solution. It was quite a long cable that was running from near the kitchen, through part of the lounge to the bedroom. The other reason I created the post was when I tried a round of Battlefield 4 with the new wireless card installed it was noticeably slower and unplayable at times.

That's a shame that the NF4V doesn't support bridge mode, but there still is an option of getting AC with an access point?

The other option I guess is just to pull the cable out when I'm needing that faster internet speed for times like a game of BF4.

Brumfondl

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#1375432 27-Aug-2015 22:11

Can you not just do the cabling so it is not particularly noticeable?

Sideface

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#1375456 27-Aug-2015 23:36

Jonom: ... The other reason I created the post was when I tried a round of Battlefield 4 with the new wireless card installed it was noticeably slower and unplayable at times. ...

Gaming and wireless don't mix well.

Stick to Ethernet.

Sideface

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sbiddle

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#1375486 28-Aug-2015 07:34

Wireless is a convenient complementary offering. It is not a replacement for Ethernet, in part because of speed, and also because it's only half duplex, not full duplex like Ethernet.

I'm not quite sure why you'd consider bridge mode for a setup because that's not the type of scenario you'd use bridge mode for. You want one of two things -

1) A new 802.11ac access point to plug into your existing NF4V to replace the wireless in the NF4V. Budget $300 - $500 for one of these.

2) A new 802.11ac capable router to replace your NF4V totally. You would receive no support from Orcon for this and won't have a working phone service without spending more on additional hardware. The Netcomm NF8AC is the best low cost replacement.

Remember that 5GHz ac performance drops off significantly with distance indoors. If you're in a poor RF environment a few rooms away you'll potentially find 802.11ac performance worse than your existing 2.4GHz 802.11n

pdath

252 posts

Ultimate Geek

#1375488 28-Aug-2015 07:45

Rather than getting a "router" it would be easier to just get an "Access Point". This just plugs into your existing wired LAN and provides WiFi access.

If you want to replace the Orcon router you'll need something that can do VLAN tagging (specifically add a VLAN tag of 10). Most consumer CPE kit does not do this and as a result will not work.

Try my latest project, a Cisco type 5 enable secret password cracker written in javascript!

Jonom

3 posts

Wannabe Geek

#1375492 28-Aug-2015 07:55

Thanks for all your help. That gives me a bit to consider.

Trying to improve our wireless performance with an access point and new router does seem pretty costly so I think I'll stick with the router Orcom's provided for now.

I can pull the Ethernet cable out when I need that faster speed.

Jase2985

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#1375497 28-Aug-2015 08:06

pdath: If you want to replace the Orcon router you'll need something that can do VLAN tagging (specifically add a VLAN tag of 10). Most consumer CPE kit does not do this and as a result will not work.

i would change that to Most CPE does this, there are some that dont though notably being some high end TP-Link stuff and the apple airport range.

sbiddle

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#1375509 28-Aug-2015 08:36

Jonom: Thanks for all your help. That gives me a bit to consider.

Trying to improve our wireless performance with an access point and new router does seem pretty costly so I think I'll stick with the router Orcom's provided for now.

I can pull the Ethernet cable out when I need that faster speed.

You can't need a new router and access point. You would get one or the other.