Vodafone HG556a router problems - no wireless N, no mac SMB, no airport etc

Forums › One New Zealand (including Vodafone, WxC, Farmside) › Vodafone HG556a router problems - no wireless N, no mac SMB, no airport etc

phrozenpenguin

840 posts

Ultimate Geek

#90267 17-Sep-2011 23:44

Hi all, I'm new to NZ and just getting setup with Vodafone broadband. Broadband works, but I'm trying to get the router setup optimally and running into trouble:

I cannot connect at speeds faster than 54mbps (g), despite the router and my macbook both being N compatible.
I cannot access files on an external HD using SMB and a mac. FTP works, or SMB from windows.
I cannot get airprint and iphone-macbook sync programs working, despite being on the same network.

I have searched these forum and the web, and there are numerous others reporting these issues, although I'm not sure how recent they are. Does anybody have any ideas on how to fix the above?

Alternatively, any other broadband/router recommendations? I considered Telecom, but the router looked poor, and I didn't want to spend $ on a decent modem/router.

Thanks i advance.

Lurch

1061 posts

Uber Geek

#523592 20-Sep-2011 15:31

Hmm, connect with wireless N speeds with mine. Although I had to adjust the channel it was one, which is the case with any wireless router. 9 worked great for me.

Not sure about on the Mac, Haven't tried my iBook. Works fine under Linux and windows so would assume that it would be the same case for OSX.

On the vodafone forums there is a message thread discussing firmware update that may help.

phrozenpenguin

840 posts

Ultimate Geek

#526047 27-Sep-2011 08:03

Thanks for the reply. I will try changing the channel to get N speeds.

codyc1515

1598 posts

Uber Geek
Inactive user

#528368 3-Oct-2011 01:30

Just checked mine with my 2011 13" MacBook Air and I'm connecting at 144 Mbit/s. Maybe try upgrading the firmware on the device and checking for software updates on your Mac?

Wills1

710 posts

Ultimate Geek

#528726 3-Oct-2011 21:11

I also have the Vodafone complete modem / router.

After reading your post I checked my connection, and I also can't connect any faster the 54mbps. Both of the laptops in the house are less than a year old and wireless N capable.

Can anyone shed some light on this wireless N issue please.

Beavis

159 posts

Master Geek

#528736 3-Oct-2011 21:36

I have the same Vodafone modem. I had trouble getting it to work at N speeds, until I came across this bit of information on Google. I quote: You MUST use WPA2 authentication with AES encryption only, or use no security at all if you wish to achieve N rates. Anything else is against the N spec and typically results in the client falling back to G rates.
And I found this to be true.

codyc1515

1598 posts

Uber Geek
Inactive user

#528739 3-Oct-2011 21:42

Beavis: I have the same Vodafone modem. I had trouble getting it to work at N speeds, until I came across this bit of information on Google. I quote: You MUST use WPA2 authentication with AES encryption only, or use no security at all if you wish to achieve N rates. Anything else is against the N spec and typically results in the client falling back to G rates.
And I found this to be true.

Indeed, that may very well be the issue.

Dunnersfella

4086 posts

Uber Geek

#528760 3-Oct-2011 22:37

I think I may be acting a little thick here...
But how do I upgrade the firmware on my Vodafone HG556a router?

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phrozenpenguin

840 posts

Ultimate Geek

#529736 5-Oct-2011 18:33

Beavis: I have the same Vodafone modem. I had trouble getting it to work at N speeds, until I came across this bit of information on Google. I quote: You MUST use WPA2 authentication with AES encryption only, or use no security at all if you wish to achieve N rates. Anything else is against the N spec and typically results in the client falling back to G rates.
And I found this to be true.

Interesting. I decided to go with another supplier in the end and sort out my own router that I knew didn't have these problems. Good luck to those trying to sort it out!