Is the NetGear R6300 Router compatible with Vodafone modems?

Forums › LAN (ethernet/Wifi/routers/Bluetooth) › Is the NetGear R6300 Router compatible with Vodafone modems?

Choc

8 posts

Wannabe Geek

#177142 23-Jul-2015 20:09

Hi there

I'm new to Geekzone and, I have to admit it, I'm pretty dopey when it comes to technology. I've tried searching the Forums for help but I can't find the information I'm looking for.

So here goes. We recently switched our broadband to Vodafone (in Kapiti, so using the old Saturn cable) but the router they supplied us with provides almost zero WiFi coverage (we essentially have to sit in the same room as the router). That's a big problem as I operate a home-based office from the 2nd floor.

I rang Vodafone (twice) to ask what we could do about it. I asked if there was an extender I could buy from them but I was told (twice) that they didn't provide these. Of course, I've now found out that they do. Grr.

Based on this advice, we decided to source our own router and extender and we decided to go for the dual band NetGear R6300 router and the NetGear EX6200 extender.

The problem is, when we switch the Vodafone NetComm router out and replace it with the new NetGear router, we can't log onto the new NetGear network (even though it's showing up as a network with awesome signal strength).

The first time around the genie popped up on my laptop but I couldn't get it to work. The second time around eve the genie failed to pop up.

I've got no idea what we're doing wrong?

Can anyone help me - or point me in the direction of a Kapiti-based expert we could pay to get it sorted for us?

Thanks
Stephen

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692 posts

Ultimate Geek

Lifetime subscriber

#1350752 23-Jul-2015 20:31

Probably the best approach would be to plug your computer directly into the router with an ethernet cable while you configure it. I have not used a Netgear router for a few years, but generally you would then log into the router using your web browser to configure the settings (usually accessible at http://192.168.1.1). Is that the approach you are taking, or is there a separate configuration application that has come with it?

Guide: Installing Network Cabling in New Zealand Homes

Choc

8 posts

Wannabe Geek

#1350801 23-Jul-2015 21:01

Hi

Thanks for the advice, I'll give it a crack. I'm not sure we have an ethernet cable but I'll check.

The NetGear manual refers you to their Genie that is supposed to wak you through the set-up, but we couldn't get it to work and now the Genie isn't showing up at all.

But I haven't tried plugging the laptop directly into the router so we'll do this next and see what happens.

Thanks again, I appreciate it. I logged onto the Vodafone community to ask for advice last night but haven't had a single response yet. I can't say the switch to Vodafone has been good - they actually credited us three months broadband due to all the issues we had simply getting the new modem and router installed in the first place!

Stephen

froob

692 posts

Ultimate Geek

Lifetime subscriber

#1350813 23-Jul-2015 21:23

...The NetGear manual refers you to their Genie that is supposed to wak you through the set-up, but we couldn't get it to work and now the Genie isn't showing up at all...

Failing that, these seem to be the next troubleshooting steps you should try (from the quick setup guide):-

NETGEAR genie Does Not Display

Close and reopen the browser. Type www.routerlogin.net in the address bar, and type the user name admin and the default password (password).
Make sure that the computer is connected to one of the four LAN Ethernet ports, or wirelessly to the router.
Make sure that the router has full power, and that its WiFi LED is solid blue.
If the computer is set to a static or fixed IP address (this condition is uncommon), change it to obtain an IP address automatically from the router.

Guide: Installing Network Cabling in New Zealand Homes

Choc

8 posts

Wannabe Geek

#1351044 24-Jul-2015 10:27

Hi there

Ok, I used the ethernet cable and went through the Genie setup again and, despite the fact the router shows it's connected to the internet and the signal is at full strength, it still won't let me connect.

I've got no idea, I give up. I'm just going to have to find someone locally and pay them to set it up for me.

So frigging frustrating - why can't Vodafone provide a decent router in the first place?

S.

TonyR1973

199 posts

Master Geek

#1351296 24-Jul-2015 19:00

For pseudo-"free"? How would they lock you into another 12-month consumer contract in 18 months time if they supplied decent gear?

sbiddle

30853 posts

Uber Geek

Retired Mod

Trusted

Biddle Corp

Lifetime subscriber

#1351297 24-Jul-2015 19:20

Choc: Hi there

Ok, I used the ethernet cable and went through the Genie setup again and, despite the fact the router shows it's connected to the internet and the signal is at full strength, it still won't let me connect.

I've got no idea, I give up. I'm just going to have to find someone locally and pay them to set it up for me.

So frigging frustrating - why can't Vodafone provide a decent router in the first place?

S.

Did you enter the correct IP address for your connection?

WiFi coverage can and does vary between devices.

WiFI extenders are also not a good solution - the best approach is always another access point that's cabled via Ethernet to the main router, or uses a Ethernet over Power adapter.

froob

692 posts

Ultimate Geek

Lifetime subscriber

#1351469 25-Jul-2015 09:49

If you did want to give this another go - the first thing I would check from your description is whether the Internet Setup settings on the router have been entered correctly.

Those settings are shown on page 20 of the manual here: http://www.downloads.netgear.com/files/GDC/R6300V2/R6300v2_UM_20May2015.pdf - note that PDF is about 7MB to download.

Because you are using Vodafone cable, you will want to select "Use Static IP Address" and enter the IP Address, IP Subnet Mask and Gateway IP Address - as well as the DNS addresses further down the page. Unless you have those addresses written down, you will need to go into your old router and check what they are. Failing that, you could probably message one of the Vodafone reps on here and they should be able to assist.

Anyway, good luck getting it sorted, whichever way you approach it!

Guide: Installing Network Cabling in New Zealand Homes

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mdf

3523 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

#1351487 25-Jul-2015 10:58

Couple of things.

What sort of Vodafone modem is it (the one with the thick black cable going into the wall)? From your references to the Netgear router, it will likely be a Cisco or Motorolla, but there is a chance it could be a Technicolour.

Are you using Windows or Mac to configure the new router? You should check your current network settings - for windows, start by pressing the windows key + R then typing "cmd.exe" in the box that comes up. You will get an old-style DOS window. Type "ipconfig" and enter. You'll get some information - you're looking for your computer's IP address (might say IPv4), subnet mask and default gateway. These should be something like 192.168.1.100, 255.255.255.0 and 192.168.1.1 respectively. If it's a mac, start a terminal window (launchpad then terminal) and type "ifconfig -a" (IIRC).

Do you know your IP address (for vodafone cable this should be a static IP)? It will be something You should be able to get this from the old router if necessary. Should probably be something like 121.xxx.xxx.xxx.

Have you set the DNS settings in the router? For Vodafone, these should be 203.97.78.43 and 203.97.78.44.

When you say "it still won't let you connect", do you mean that your notebook will connect to the router, but you can't access the internet, or that your notebook won't connect to the router at all?

You should be able to crack it yourself. It's probably just one little setting. But if all else fails, try Gordon at PCWiz. Supporting local SMEs and all that. He's pretty good.

Choc

8 posts

Wannabe Geek

#1351996 26-Jul-2015 14:22

Hi Everyone

Thanks so much for your advice and feedback, I really appreciate it.

Unfortunately I've had no success so I'm just going to have to pay someone to come and sort it out for me. I've found the various numbers (DNS, ISP, etc) that you suggested - and all but one of them were already set up in my Netgear Genie so I've updated the one that was incorrect - all to no avail.

The Genie says I have a "Good" internet connection, the router is showing up as a network option (with the strongest possible signal) but it just won't let me connect.

I've been through the massive manual you sent me a link to, and followed all the Troubleshooting tips, but it hasn't helped.

In terms of the modem we've been given by Vodafone, it's a Cisco DPC3008 modem. We're now back to using the NetComm N300 router Vodafone also gave us (with it's crappy signal range) until we can get this NetGear router sorted once and for all.

I've got absolutely no idea what I'm doing wrong but it must be something simple I'm missing between the router and our device(s).

Frustrating
S.

mdf

3523 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

#1352091 26-Jul-2015 18:18

Won't let you connect to the internet (i.e. web pages just turn up blank), or won't let you connect wirelessly to the router?

What happens when you've got the computer connected to the router with an ethernet cable (and the router plugged in to the modem)?

Choc

8 posts

Wannabe Geek

#1352100 26-Jul-2015 19:12

Hi there

I can't access the internet at all - either wirelessly or via the ethernet cable.

I open the browser and get an error message to say it can't open the page I've tried to load.

Thanks
S.

mdf

3523 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

#1352143 26-Jul-2015 20:12

About all I've got left to suggest is posting the screen shots of the relevant settings pages from your router.

Choc

8 posts

Wannabe Geek

#1352667 27-Jul-2015 15:42

Hi there

Ok, I've gone through the process (again) and have taken screenshots of what's happening.

They're in my gallery - all I need to do now is work out how to post them on this forum!

S.

Choc

8 posts

Wannabe Geek

#1352670 27-Jul-2015 15:48

Here they are:

Screenshot 1: showing ISP/DNS addresses etc in Netgenie
https://cdn.geekzone.co.nz/imagessubs/ac32a3e4af1e310081ea31879022d31f.jpg

Screenshot 2: showing available networks with NetGear available and at full strength
https://cdn.geekzone.co.nz/imagessubs/c8b9460b2d7d454912c5435d3237d20d.jpg

Screenshot 3: message after trying to connect to the network
https://cdn.geekzone.co.nz/imagessubs/96e7345ee513e9862b93e1c42013f802.jpg

Screenshot 4: message I get when trying to connect to the internet
https://cdn.geekzone.co.nz/imagessubs/dac2e12163ecf5c5dd203d5c3207afb1.jpg

I hope this helps.

Thanks
Stephen

mdf

3523 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

#1352718 27-Jul-2015 17:32

I think the gateway is wrong. Try changing it to your static IP address, but change the last string of three digits to ".1".

i.e. 121.xxx.xxx.1 (I didn't want to write out the full string in text/searchable format).

If you're manually configuring the devices connected to the router, the gateway should be the router's IP address, but for this one, it's a Vodafone number. Moot if you're using DHCP for the devices though.

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