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Forum Discussion
Ethernet Data Offloading ... how do you get it to work?
Configuration: - brand spanky new hotspot with latest and greatest firmware downloaded on it - using my iMac to connect to and manage the wifi hotspot via 192.168.1.1 - netgear R6400 home route...
Hi bik3rd00d,
I'm not sure why you would want to use this feature in your home. The way Ethernet offload should work would be that the hotspot would continue to act as a router (in the same way that your home router does). That is to say the hotspot would strattle and provide firewalling and routing between two separate networks.
For Ethernet offloading, be sure IP Passthrough is disabled. The Ethernet port should lease an IP address from the DHCP server on your home or hotel LAN for example. So there should be no IP conflict here. Normally in a hotel, the hotel network would not be 192.168.1.x. The Hotspot will continue to braodcast its own Wifi network (on both bands) with DHCP servervices for the hotspot's local network (192.168.1.x by default) and will route the traffic from the hotspot network (think LAN) to the offload network (think WAN).
The manual could be better with its description of "Wifi tethering" and USB tethering. (http://www.downloads.netgear.com/files/GDC/MR1100/MR1100_UM_EN.pdf) It seems you can only use 2.4GHz Wifi when using Wifi tethering (aka the hotspot wifi acts as a client on the offload wifi network).
But back to my original question. Why would you want to use this at home when you already have a cable modem and router (presumably with Wifi)?
-Jonathan
Gosh, whatever did I say that would lead you off? Nevermind. I do NOT wish to use data offloading in my home. However, I did give as much configuration information as I thought would help someone answer my question ... how do I get this feature working. From the manual, I though that it should simply work. It doesn't.
So now ... why in my home? I bought the wifi hotspot for personal use and it arrived at my house. And so this is where I am testing it before I actually need it out on the road and have difficulties and less information available. In my home, I know all the equipment and passwords that lurk behind the ethernet port. At least, I own the cable modem and router. It seems like a reasonable venue for testing.
I'll look at IP forwarding but when plugged into the cable modem the hotspot is both access pt and router. So, not sure why i'd disable IP forwarding. Yup, I am going to try it. Just doesn't sound right.
Hi bik3rd00d,
Sorry, no offense intended. Your statement:
"netgear R6400 home router, plugged into cable modem
(1) I plugged the wifi hotspot into my home router."Is what threw me off. Yes, testing at home does of course make sense. But can potentially cause issues too such as the IP conflict.
I was confusing two different settings. Do not change Port Forwarding, but due be sure that IP- Passthrough is NOT enabled (see pages 53 and 54 of manual).
It's still probably a good idea to change the base IP of the hotspot to something different than your home network. But keep in mind this will likely chaneg the IP address of the admin web page as well.
-Jonathan
I double checked my settings and everything is configured properly. I am also on the latest firmware for the device.
Observations:
- When I plug in the ethernet cable I see the connected device count increment by 1.
- When I unplug the ethernet cable I see the connected device count decrement by 1.
- Dashboard shows (1) ethernet data offloading configured (2) no ethernet connection
So, from my perspective either this feature simply doesn't work or I've got a defective unit. I really don't see any other choices. And I've yet to see anyone reply to this thread claiming that they have it working. PnP is working as evidence from the device connected count on the device. Not sure why ethernet would count as a device though. Doesn't seem correct. It should instead be counted as a network interface, not a device connected via wifi.
Does anyone know if the device logs anything ... e.g. var/log/... that could be inspected perhaps?
Hi bik3rd00d,
I was able to get my Ethernet offloading to work at home. I had a similar IP address conflict as you did. But after I changed the IP address of the MR1100, and the DHCP range of the MR1100, all is working well. See attached screen shots -- hmmm -- haven't figured out how to upload more than one picture
Follow this proceedure:
1) connect to the web admin page on the MR1100 using Chrome (192.168.1.1)
2) Change the IP address and DHCP ranges to 192.168.0.1 and 192.168.0.10 to .99 for example. This will trigger a reboot.
3) connect to the web admin page on the MR1100 using Chrome (192.168.0.1)
4) disable Ethernet timeout
5) enable Ethernet offload
6) run Ethernet cable from the MR1100 to the LAN side of your existing home router or switch. Or the network jack in a hotel
7) IP Passthrough should be "off". DNS "auto", "use mobile router as DHCP server = checked".Under Tethering I have "Charge Only" and "Turn off Wifi when tethering = unchecked"
7) the MR1100 will display on the LCD -- a wifi and Ethernet icon. "No usage on data plan" Offloaded to Ethernet
Disable ethernet timeout
