Wifi: Alternatives to Huawei HG659

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TwoSeven

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#185787 5-Dec-2015 17:38

Hi folks,
I am wondering if anyone can recommend some alternatives to the Huawei HG659 that came with the cable install. It is limited in its feature set and functionality for my needs (I think fine for general purpose usage) - I am also having an issue with the 5Ghz wifi randomly disconnected (although 2.4 seems fine).

I used to use an Apple Airport extreme which was very stable and allowed my to do all of my internal routing, static IPs, port forwarding as well as use 5Ghz wfi . However, I can no longer use this as it does not have the VLAN feature required to connect to the cable modem.

Any new unit would need to have at least 4 x GB Ethernet ports, VLAN tagging, 5Ghz (or multiband support) and be pretty fast. Also needs to support port forwarding (by IP), static IPs (DHCP) and good routing capabilities (not just by protocol). My signal range requirements is about 15-20 meters.

Much thanks.

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#1441165 5-Dec-2015 22:26

VF cable does not require VLAN tagging.

yitz

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#1441205 5-Dec-2015 23:54

You might want to double check your original post, either you got the modem or access type (xDSL/cable/fibre) wrong.

If it is indeed cable you cannot replace the all-in-one Technicolor modem/router unit, however you may plug in an additional access point or router behind it.

TwoSeven

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#1441252 6-Dec-2015 09:20

sbiddle: VF cable does not require VLAN tagging.

Sorry - I meant fibre. Have been using cable previously.

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DarkShadow

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#1441255 6-Dec-2015 09:32

You could get a cheap switch to handle VLAN tagging and continue using your Airport?

huckster

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#1441258 6-Dec-2015 09:47

DarkShadow: You could get a cheap switch to handle VLAN tagging and continue using your Airport?

You already have the Huawei, so just use it to do the VLAN stuff and get the Airport to handle the rest.

ericwong

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#1441470 6-Dec-2015 18:16

I am also having an issue with the 5Ghz wifi randomly disconnected (although 2.4 seems fine).

I was playing with HG659 recently and I found this firmware update. Did you check if you are running the latest firmware and does the latest firmware fix the WIFI issues?

http://help.vodafone.co.nz/app/answers/detail/a_id/24400/

Release notes from Vodafone
"The new firmware includes improvements to wifi, DNS, phone features like caller id, and adds some new features like guest wifi."
https://community.vodafone.co.nz/t5/Modems-home-Wi-Fi/Vodafone-HG659-firmware-update-released/td-

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sbiddle

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#1441477 6-Dec-2015 18:49

huckster:
DarkShadow: You could get a cheap switch to handle VLAN tagging and continue using your Airport?

You already have the Huawei, so just use it to do the VLAN stuff and get the Airport to handle the rest.

Because then you'll typically end up with double NAT.

ericwong

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#1441483 6-Dec-2015 19:00

Because then you'll typically end up with double NAT.

I am pretty sure double NAT is not the problem because I use multiple routers in Australia and I currently have two routers connected to the Optus router/modem. The two routers are in double NAT configuration and I don't have problems accessing internet from both routers via double NAT.

FYI, both routers are running Gargoyle router firmware and I can see more details/info than you can using typical factory firmware ;)

RunningMan

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#1441485 6-Dec-2015 19:04

ericwong:

Because then you'll typically end up with double NAT.

I am pretty sure double NAT is not the problem because I use multiple routers in Australia and I currently have two routers connected to the Optus router/modem. The two routers are in double NAT configuration and I don't have problems accessing internet from both routers via double NAT.

FYI, both routers are running Gargoyle router firmware and I can see more details/info than you can using typical factory firmware ;)

Basic web browsing generally won't break, but try running anything that requires a public IP...

Scotdownunder

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#1441490 6-Dec-2015 19:14

sbiddle:
huckster:
DarkShadow: You could get a cheap switch to handle VLAN tagging and continue using your Airport?

You already have the Huawei, so just use it to do the VLAN stuff and get the Airport to handle the rest.

Because then you'll typically end up with double NAT.

Setting the Airport to "bridge mode" should avoid the double NAT issue. I have an older Airport with the Spark 659b version and its fine.

ericwong

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#1441495 6-Dec-2015 19:45

Basic web browsing generally won't break, but try running anything that requires a public IP...

This is not a problem either, just need to set port forwarding on both routers ;)
Have been doing that for years for my private home ftp server.

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TwoSeven

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#1443039 8-Dec-2015 19:18

Hi thanks for your replies folks.

I believe I do have the latest firmware, but at the end of the day I really want to remove the Huawei altogether. Hence I would like to know what other devices are around with the features I listed above.

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richms

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#1443076 8-Dec-2015 20:07

ericwong:

Basic web browsing generally won't break, but try running anything that requires a public IP...

This is not a problem either, just need to set port forwarding on both routers ;)
Have been doing that for years for my private home ftp server.

If you are manually port fowarding then you can do that, but for upnp it is just broken. cascaded nat is not a supported configuration for it.

Richard rich.ms

TwoSeven

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#1445681 9-Dec-2015 18:57

Port forwarding on my unit only appears to work by mac address and I need to do it by IP. Also, it doesn't seem to work across the wifi network (lan cable only it appears).

I do like the option of having a dedicated [intelligent] switch connected to my fibre unit and just hanging my airport off of that for the wifi. I use windows server for A/D, DNS and DHCP or sometimes my airport - so all it needs to do is have a firewall and perform NAT (I guess).

Alternatively, upgrading to a new wifi unit would be good. I am liking the sound of some of these new units that can combine the 2.4 and 5Ghz together. Just don't want one that offers cloud services and the like.

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Aredwood

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#1449405 12-Dec-2015 22:21

Sounds like you have outgrown consumer grade routers. So get a Ubiquity Edge router lite or a Mikrotic router. Then you can configure it however you like.

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