Modem Help Me

Pootie Tang on 30/03/2022 - 17:15

Moons ago got nbn installed at mums. Tech cheaped out and installed the entry point upstairs in a corner room. House has brick walls so service downstairs is a nightmare. Tried a mesh network which definitely improved it but still getting a lot of drop outs.

Last solution before we get a new entry point to the house via a tech, I was going to get a new modem (currently using stock ZTE modem model zxhn h268a - no antennas).

Any suggestions for a modem around $150-$200 that could sort out this coverage problem and furthermore, work better with the mesh network). I have a feeling the current modem is overwhelmed. Or am I barking up the wrong tree here?

Thanks in advance

Internet Modem Router

Comments

spackbace on 30/03/2022 - 17:20

+1

Wifi dropouts, or internet dropouts?

Which mesh system did you get?

What speed nbn are you on? Who's the isp?

The mesh system should be handling it fine
- Pootie Tang on 30/03/2022 - 17:48
  
  So when streaming, resolution will drop off and then finally come to a standstill until I restart the stream. Work computer logging into citrix, clicks are delayed by a few m/s in virtual session. When I hotspot my phone, this problem seemed to have stopped.
  
  Mesh is the Tenda MW3 - 3 pack. One set up next to the modem, one outside the corridor of the modem room (no other power points or logical places available), then final unit down stairs effectively under the above second unit but through a brick wall but still has line of sight theoretically.
  
  50/20 - Exetel
  - jv on 30/03/2022 - 20:43
    
    Connect the Tenda directly to the NBN box.
    
    A single brick wall shouldn't make much of a difference.
    
    Most of my nodes are going through 2-3 brick walls and I still get good coverage.
    - Pootie Tang on 30/03/2022 - 20:51
      
      Thanks. Issue I'm having now is logging into the tenda to adjust settings. Nbn to tenda is not providing internet so I cant configure the network. Per other instructions, doing a 30 minute cycle and hope my isp plays ball
      - jv on 30/03/2022 - 20:58
        
        @Pootie Tang: Can't you factory reset the Tenda and start again ?
        
        From memory, it only takes a few mins to setup using the app…
        
        Pootie Tang on 30/03/2022 - 23:54
        
        +1
        
        @jv: Source problem was the nbn modem. Once reset it was all so simple.
        
        jv on 30/03/2022 - 23:54
        
        @Pootie Tang: How's the wifi now ?
        
        Pootie Tang on 31/03/2022 - 00:16
        
        +1
        
        @jv: Splendid. Think De Goey on the field in his contract year.
        
        jv on 31/03/2022 - 00:25
        
        +1
        
        @Pootie Tang:
        Awesome !!!
        
        Have a good night…
djsweet on 30/03/2022 - 17:29

+1

If its a wifi coverage issue, getting a new modem won't help…
What mesh system do you have?
- Pootie Tang on 30/03/2022 - 17:53
  
  Its the Tenda mw3. Right, i thought a better modem with antennas may assist.
  - spackbace on 30/03/2022 - 17:57
    
    +1
    
    Right, i thought a better modem with antennas may assist.
    
    No, because you shouldn't be using the modem wifi
    - Pootie Tang on 30/03/2022 - 18:05
      
      I'm using the available network that's set up with the mesh, my understanding was the modem still contributed. So the hardware of the modem wouldn't have any bearing as far as processing the signal to the mesh? Maybe the mesh setup is the problem?
      
      Speed tests in lower parts of the house are all 15/8 or so.
      
      Maybe I shouldn't be expecting more with brick walls?
      - scrimshaw on 30/03/2022 - 19:04
        
        @Pootie Tang: having 2 Wifi networks active at the same time will mean the 2 signals are competing with each other.
        
        edit:
        It sounds like you have a HFC modem — which is just a pure modem with no wifi functions. Connect your mesh router to that. Leave the ZTE, you won't need it.
        
        Pootie Tang on 30/03/2022 - 23:54
        
        @scrimshaw: Thank you
        
        bbinc on 31/03/2022 - 10:10
        
        @Pootie Tang: I have same ZTE modem on Exetel and a 3 unit Google mesh. It is easy to log into the ZTE and set it to bridge mode (manual in on the web) then turn off the wifi on the ZTE. This will also change your modem login address, so write new address and login on the ZTE. Single level double brick wall house, no line of sight between mesh units, still get 30+ down at furthest point.
        
        Pootie Tang on 31/03/2022 - 10:35
        
        @bbinc: 🙏🏼
AndyC1 on 30/03/2022 - 17:30

Sounds like an Exetel modem user. These modems do NOT have good WiFi.

What mesh hardware did you put in? What speed do each of the pieces of mesh equipment support and what Wifi type are they (AC1234 or AX66789 etc)?
- Pootie Tang on 30/03/2022 - 17:54
  
  Correct. So new modern may not be a bad idea?
  
  Mesh is Tenda MW3.
sjj89 on 30/03/2022 - 17:37

+2

Get point to point Ethernet installed for the same price as a new router
- Pootie Tang on 30/03/2022 - 17:54
  
  Thank you for this suggestion. So that's just a cable that would go from upstairs to downstairs along the back of the house or similar?
  - OZBargainer in SA on 31/03/2022 - 08:33
    
    Good suggestion - you don't actually have to move the entry point, just have a ethernet cable run from the NBN HFC box downstairs to the new location of your ZTE router upstairs. Typically $100 to $200 for that job, depending on how difficult the cable path is.
    - Pootie Tang on 31/03/2022 - 09:24
      
      Thanks. All sorted. The access point and the modem were in tge same spot but the signal had to be stronger downstairs. Turns out i had 3 networks running as had router feeding into the mesh network. I didn't know know the mesh system was another router. Speeds have improved drastically.
Xyzzy on 30/03/2022 - 17:51

I had a mesh for wifi but connected to the router provided by the ISP (with it's wi-fi turned off) and was getting drop-outs,

swapped the router out for one of these: https://www.amazon.com.au/gp/product/B0773NY9CL and it's been rock solid ever since.
- Pootie Tang on 30/03/2022 - 18:19
  
  Thank you. This is sold out. What sort of cost was it?
  
  So nbn box into that and into the mesh?
  
  What if you need to muck about with modem settings? Just plug it in to the switch?
  - Xyzzy on 30/03/2022 - 20:18
    
    It was last June - so it might be replaced by a newer model by now.
    
    It cost me $79.
    
    I'm on HFC - so plugged the NBN modem into it. I did need to set a few settings, and its interface is not the most intuitive, but I found a youtube video that walked me through what I needed to do, and then it just worked.
mr-incredulous on 30/03/2022 - 18:04

I just commented on another thread that I have been really happy with the linked mesh modem/router from Costco going for $210 currently.
- Pootie Tang on 30/03/2022 - 18:20
  
  Thank you. Got the mesh albeit a cheaper one. This one looks stronger but would need to compare the specs.
  - mr-incredulous on 30/03/2022 - 18:22
    
    -1
    
    It's also a modem, in case that wasn't clear :)
    - Twix on 30/03/2022 - 18:27
      
      +1
      
      Nah the Netgear Nighthawk MK62 is not a VDSL2 modem. Netgear Nighthawk MK62 is a router and Wi-Fi 6 mesh.
OMGJL on 30/03/2022 - 18:30

The tenda mw3 is a router not a modem.

quick explainer: Modem is a translator, it translate the inbound line(fiber/phone line etc) to a proper internet signal.

but you only have 1 internet signal after the modem, in order to make sure every devices all connected to internet, you use a router to route 1 internet IP address so everyone in your house can use the 1 internet connection you've got.

so the real question is: are you using the ZTE zxhn h268a as a Modem+Router, which double NAT yourself with the Tenda? (double NAT as in you run a router behind a router) or are you running the ZTE as a modem only, and let Tenda do all the router work?

If you having trouble understanding the question its okay, tell me which type of NBN you've got (FTTP/FTTN/FTTC/HFC)?
- Pootie Tang on 30/03/2022 - 18:39
  
  Sounds like I'm double NAT (was wondering why we still had two exetel networks running concurrently). Lol.
  
  According to nbn website - HFC.
  
  If I disable the networks on the ZTE would that solve anything?
  
  Thanks for your help.
  - OMGJL on 30/03/2022 - 18:42
    
    +1
    
    With HFC you should ditch the ZTE all together.
    
    disconnect the ethernet cable on your ZTE from your HFC Box (which is the one with a TV cable connected to it), and connect it to your Tenda's WAN port.
  - OMGJL on 30/03/2022 - 18:45
    
    +1
    
    I should explain:
    
    that HFC box with TV cable IS your modem,
    
    so you just need a Router.
    
    Which means your current setup is HFC(modem)—— ZTE modem router(configured to router only mode) —- Tenda Router, this is Double NAT, no wonder why your connection is bad.
    
    You need to: HFC - your main Tenda )))))Wireless)))) the 2 other Tenda
    - Pootie Tang on 30/03/2022 - 18:58
      
      Thanks for this. Ive done that but now the main tenda box is red (no internet). How do I put the settings in the tenda? The app? Its not picking up the boxes. Should i do a reset or can the tenda main box be configured?
      
      The NBN box - tenda didn't work. Plugged into the wan port. Hfc/nbn box all green lights.
      - OMGJL on 30/03/2022 - 19:01
        
        @Pootie Tang: Reset and reconfigure your Tenda, it should be as simple as setup WiFi Name/Password, and Internet option as auto DHCP.
        
        Unless you have one of those smaller ISP which requires Username/Password to dial up, then you gotta set those up too —- consult tech support of your ISP to find out, question is "I am setting up my own router, do we have to use PPPoE to dial up? if so what's the username and password"
        
        Pootie Tang on 30/03/2022 - 20:30
        
        @OMGJL: I can't reconfigure the tenda. Its not getting 'internet' from the nbn box. The tenda is creating its own network but it requires a username and password and I can't locate a generic one that works
        
        Pootie Tang on 30/03/2022 - 20:30
        
        @Pootie Tang: Might need to trial another power cycle and reset on the tenda
        
        Pootie Tang on 30/03/2022 - 20:40
        
        @Pootie Tang: That was just the login underneath the box. Still getting no internet though so will cycle the box again. Ill cycle the nbn box as well in case
        
        OMGJL on 30/03/2022 - 21:21
        
        @Pootie Tang: Resetting Tenda is not simply power cycle it, you will need to:
        1. make sure its turned on
        2. find the little reset "hole"
        3. use a SIM extractor pin to poke into it
        4. poke it until all LED on tenda blinks
        5. let it go, now you have it reset
        
        P.S/ you might need to reset all 3 unit and re-link them all up, that's the only thing crappy about having mesh unit.
        
        Pootie Tang on 30/03/2022 - 21:26
        
        @OMGJL: Yeah. Have reset. The problem lies with the internet not coming into the tenda main unit but it does if its the ZTE. So as i cant access the tenda admin page I cant give it tge username and password
        
        OMGJL on 30/03/2022 - 21:38
        
        @Pootie Tang: Disconnect from HFC modem and reset it, it shouldn't need internet for setup only.
        
        Pootie Tang on 30/03/2022 - 22:38
        
        @OMGJL: The reset of the HFC modem did it straight away. Thank you for your help. DM your paypal and I'll send you some help dollars. Really appreciate it 🙏🏼
        
        OMGJL on 30/03/2022 - 22:42
        
        @Pootie Tang: wasn't looking for getting paid in the first place.
        
        if you can test your connection for couple days and let us know how it goes then I am happy already.
        
        Pootie Tang on 30/03/2022 - 22:58
        
        +1
        
        @OMGJL: I know but you spent time on it. Time is money. Connection is 20 mpbs overall. Upstairs 55/20 on a 50/20 plan and downstairs - 40/20. Significant improvements. Thank you again
        
        OMGJL on 30/03/2022 - 23:09
        
        @Pootie Tang: nice! I was just drifting away from my University Assignment, so even if I wasn't answering your question I probably just browsing randomly anyway lol.
        
        Pootie Tang on 30/03/2022 - 23:10
        
        +2
        
        @OMGJL: Offers there, maybe when you are skint. Good luck with the assignment. Thank you 🙏🏼
      - Twix on 30/03/2022 - 19:16
        
        +1
        
        @Pootie Tang: Tenda Wi-Fi app is required for the configuration. Follow these steps.
        
        Unplug the MW3 from the nbn NTD.
        
        Wait 30 minutes. Don't skip this step or else the MW3 won't connect.
        
        Do a full factory reset of the MW3.
        
        Plug in MW3 to the nbn NTD.
        
        Open the Tenda Wi-Fi app.
        
        Configure the WAN connection to PPPoE with your Exetel username and password.
        
        Pootie Tang on 30/03/2022 - 19:28
        
        +1
        
        @Twix: Cheers. Will try this. Wasnt getting any flow on from the nbn box to the mw3. Appreciate you going through this. I've never learnt networks and it shows.
        
        OMGJL on 30/03/2022 - 19:37
        
        +1
        
        @Twix: Good call, I didn't know much about Exetel hence poor instruction was provided
        
        Twix on 30/03/2022 - 20:03
        
        +1
        
        @OMGJL: Your instructions were good. The only thing that needed changing was PPPoE for Exetel.
- Pootie Tang on 30/03/2022 - 18:41
  
  +1
  
  Thanks for the quick lesson. Needed that 15 years ago before I interviewed for a job 😂🥔
  - OMGJL on 30/03/2022 - 18:50
    
    lol, funny thing is, I used to work in a computer shop, and I do know much more about all these,
    
    I asked one of the client when they need to hire technician, let me know first —— he said his company don't need one yet, a month after, they hired a Asian dumbass (don't get me wrong, I am Asian too, this is just to proof the company isn't racist) who don't know jack s**t and need me to do all the troubleshooting and exchange when he bought wrong item (that he seems very confident that he got it right when he buy them).
    - Pootie Tang on 30/03/2022 - 22:39
      
      Yeah man. Tech support back in the day was the golden era. I use to work at hospitals and we'd have to wait days for access. So unorganised. Probably 3 ppl running the IT department.
Pootie Tang on 30/03/2022 - 22:38

+3

Thank you all

Modem Help Me

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Awesome !!!

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