Creating a wireless network from an incoming ethernet LAN

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matt17

78 posts

Master Geek

#128842 25-Aug-2013 22:57

Hello

An internet connection (Telecom) comes into my house via phone line, which is inserted into a D-Link wireless modem/router. This is connected to an Apple TimeCapsule via ethernet cable - and the TimeCapsule creates a wireless network.

At the other end of the house, far out of range of the TimeCapsule's wireless network, I have my computer which currently gets its internet connection via a long ethernet cable which is plugged into a port on the D-Link wireless modem/router. I figured all I needed to create a wireless network at this end of the house (for my non-wired devices such as iPhone, iPad etc) was to connect another router/modem ( a Huawei HG556a) to the ethernet cable - and configure the Huawei to create a wireless network.

Sadly, it didn't work! I then tried setting up the Huawei with an incoming phone line (same line as the D-Link) - this didn't work either. I called Telecom but they were less than helpful given that the Huawei product "isn't one they support"...

Could someone please give me some advice? I've done some reading online but it's all pretty confusing...

Thanks in advance,

MatthewX

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47 posts

Geek

#884384 25-Aug-2013 23:23

You gotta configure your Huawei modem/router to bridge mode and then set it to create a wireless network, and this bridge mode makes the Huawei modem/router to only act as a router.

So you'll have a long wire coming from your D-Link going to the Huawei, then Huawei to your computer.

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Zeon

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#884391 25-Aug-2013 23:50

You would be much better with a wireless access point rather than router. And you cannot have more than 1 modem on the phone line at any time. Concsidering you already have the 2nd Huawei I would suggest you turn the DHCP off on that and use it as a simple bridge/access point. Just plug the ethernet cable into any of its LAN ports.

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lucky015

732 posts

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#884392 26-Aug-2013 00:24

Zeon: You would be much better with a wireless access point rather than router. And you cannot have more than 1 modem on the phone line at any time. Concsidering you already have the 2nd Huawei I would suggest you turn the DHCP off on that and use it as a simple bridge/access point. Just plug the ethernet cable into any of its LAN ports.

Exactly.

Configure wifi settings, Disable DHCP and Change IP address of the 556a and it should act as a simple wifi access point when connected via Ethernet to your existing network.

sbiddle

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#884415 26-Aug-2013 06:19

Assuming the d-link is acting as a router and not a bridge you only need an AP, not a router. Sounds like you already have double NAT via the time capsule which is a less than ideal setup.

matt17

78 posts

Master Geek

#884550 26-Aug-2013 11:03

Thanks for all the advice. I didn't know you could have only one modem on the line at once.

A few questions:
1. Can I not connect my iMac to the Huawei wirelessly? (iPhysc's post suggests I need to connect the iMac to the Huawei via cable)

2. I've been through the Huawei's manual and can't find anything about where to set it to bridge mode - I also logged in and had a look around in the settings - couldn't see anything there either. It must be there though…how to locate where to change it?

3. Lucky015 suggests disabling DHCP and changing the IP address - just change to anything that's not being used around the house?

4. I assume I need to have the Telecom (that's the ISP here in the house) account login/password details saved in the Huawei?

Inphinity

2704 posts

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#884566 26-Aug-2013 11:25

matt17:
4. I assume I need to have the Telecom (that's the ISP here in the house) account login/password details saved in the Huawei?

You have a Dlink modem providing your internet connection, don't you? No other device needs any details of your WAN connection.

You seem to be wanting something like

Your Dlink providing the WAN connection, and both the Timecapsule and Huawei connected via ethernet to their LAN ports, and each acting as a Wifi access point. Only one device should be providing DHCP (I would suggest the Dlink). Nothing else needs to know any details about your WAN connection.

andrewNZ

2487 posts

Uber Geek
Inactive user

#884619 26-Aug-2013 12:46

A more simple (although admittedly pricey) solution, would be to use an airport express to extend the timecapsules wireless network.
I believe the setup for this involves plugging the ethernet into the airport express, telling it to extend the network, and that's about it.

I've never used multiple networks in the one location, but I can imagine there could be issues with a device trying to maintain a poor connection even though there is a better one available.

The airport express also has one extra ethernet port, a usb port for a printer and a 3.5mm audio jack for playing audio

PJ48

223 posts

Master Geek

#884814 26-Aug-2013 16:12

Although it will cost you $160, I agree that the Airport Express solution is incredibly easy to set up and configure and will do just what you need it to. If you connect the Ethernet cable into the back of the Airport Express, you can then connect the desktop to it by either wireless or by another short Ethernet cable. Using Airport Utility for either Mac or PC, if you tell it to extend the network over Ethernet then you will essentially end up a roaming wifi network for the whole house that uses the same SSID for both the Time Capsule and the Express.

matt17

78 posts

Master Geek

#884989 26-Aug-2013 21:42

Thanks again for all the help.

If I can manage to get this setup without having to buy an Airport Express it'd be great - however if that's what it takes, I will. In the meantime, I'd like to see if I can get the Huawei to function as an access point.

I've managed to turn off the the DHCP in the Huawei but can't for the life of me figure out where to put it into bridge mode. Any hints there?!

It was mentioned above that I needed to give the Huawei an IP address - shall I just choose one in the range between 192.168.1.1 and 192.168.100 - ie could it be 192.168.1.50?

Also, when I try and change the name of the SSID it fails to 'stick' - there's no 'save' bottom of the WiFi page where I make changes to the SSID, security type, password etc. Is it a crappy modem/router??

Matthew

matt17

78 posts

Master Geek

#884997 26-Aug-2013 22:00

Just got off the phone from Vodafone support - they stated that using the Huawei as a bridge is outside their support parameters - ie they can't help me! How bad is that!

I guess it's off to buy an Airport Express....

I won't be rushing out to buy a Huawei product anytime soon - surely it shouldn't be so tricky to change it to bridge mode!

PJ48

223 posts

Master Geek

#885004 26-Aug-2013 22:10

Have you tried using the manual for one of these to set up Bridge mode?

Here is a link

http://www.huaweidevice.com/worldwide/downloadCenter.do?method=toDownloadFile&flay=document&softid=NDA5OTE=

matt17

78 posts

Master Geek

#885006 26-Aug-2013 22:14

I've got the manual on CD and loaded it - and searched it but no luck....

It almost seems as if Vodafone distributes this Huawei router/modem with some functionality disabled - surely it's capable of acting as a bridge!

kiwirock

658 posts

Ultimate Geek

#885019 26-Aug-2013 22:36

If you want better Wi-Fi performance, set the Huawei on a different channel than the D-Link too. If the D-link is on channel 11, put the Huawei on channel 6 or 1. This way they can both serve devices wirelessly without interference to each other.

I've got one of those Huawei's around here I don't use anymore. I never had to put anything in bridge mode. I just plugged the LAN port and set the LAN IP (assuming it bridges by default with the Wi-Fi) and the Wi-Fi worked with the LAN first pop. I did disable the DHCP but that was it.

edit: It was used in the same way you want it to (not as a modem just access point). Except it connected to another Wi-Fi outdoor unit for Internet access via ethernet, same thing just different Internet router device than your D-Link.

Cheers,
Gavin.

matt17

78 posts

Master Geek

#885022 26-Aug-2013 22:42

Hmmm....maybe I should haul it out again. I did manage to turn off DHCP. I'm confused about the IP though - shall I just choose something like 192.168.1.50 and then plug it all in?

I've wasted heaps of time on this and am just about at the end of my rope with that damn white box!

andrewNZ

2487 posts

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Inactive user

#885043 26-Aug-2013 22:52

You shouldn't actually have to give it an ip address (at least not to begin with) dhcp on the modem should sort that out.

As for bridge mode, perhaps its called something else. What router/wifi modes are available?

Honestly, if you get the airport, you'll wonder why you bothered with all this.

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