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Forum Discussion
Naihthawk mr1100
Can someone explain the mobile data offloading feature on the router? Read manual but unsure how this works with my local WiFi network. Any advantages to turning it on?
Hi Jmsmbry,
The mobile data offload feature is designed to be able to use Ethernet connected backhaul for clients connected to the MR1100 (for example in a hotel room or conference center -- or home Ethernet if you have no pre-existing Wifi) in lieu of using Cellular data.
For example. Let's say you have a hotel room with Ethernet (increasing rare) and hotel Guest Wifi. And you choose not to use hotel Guest wifi because it is too slow or unsecure. But you only have one Ethernet port i your room and multiple Wifi clients (phone, tablet, etc.). And let's say you don't have unlimited cellular data. Or cellular in your location is worse than hotel Wifi.
Then, you can use your MR1100 as a mini Ethernet router (like your home broadband router) to perform NAT between your MR1100 connected clients and the hotel Ethernet.
While this sounds good in principle. Getting it to work, and finding a hotel room that still has Ethernet can be a challenege. Since I have unlimited cellular data with my carrier (AT&T -- plan no longer offered). I have never had a real need to use this feature. I just put the hotspot by the window and my kids stream to their hearts content on their iPads.
Thanks for your reply that helped a lot! Sounds like you are using yours in a similar fashion as me to where the nighthawk is plugged in all the time typically. Do you leave your battery in all the time or do you take it out and run just on power cord? Seems like there has been lots of discussion about leaving battery in is bad for battery, etc. Your thoughts/recommendations would be greatly appreciated.
Hi Jmsmbry,
I mostly use my MR1100 on the go for the kids and work. But if you plan to use it in a fixed location for long periods of time (days, weeks). I would buy a quality QC2/3 charger (Anker) and a new USBC cable (Anker or the Netgear one that comes in the box) and just remove the battery. If you really want to protect from power outages get a small local 110V UPS. If you need extra Wifi range, disable the onboard Wifi, and get a proper wireless access point (TPLINK EA225) and connect it via Ethernet to the MR1100. Similarly, if you need local Ethernet access get a small switch (Netgear GS105) connect it to the MR1100, and then connect your wired clients and wireless AP to the switch using the DHCP and NAT in the MR1100.
Are you planning to use the MR1100 in lieu of a hardwired broadband connect?
-Jonathan
- Thanks so much for your reply. I am indeed using it for my home internet. Where I live, there is only slow (4mbps) dsl which isn’t cutting it!
So I will remove battery and get the other charger.
Your configuration ideas are almost what I have. The nighthawk is upstairs and I have a AirPort Extreme downstairs. The nighthawk is connected to a switch which feeds all my devices except a couple of iPads and two iPhones.
Those WiFi devices are feeding off the AirPort anyway since we are downstairs most of the time.
So it would be better just to turn WiFi off on nighthawk and just let AirPort do the work? Everything hardwired is being feed by nighthawk.Cool,
Yes, if your Airport has enough range (be sure it is in "bridge mode") it's better to turn off the Wifi on the MR1100. You could always get a second AP in the future if needed. They can co-exist -- just as long as both 2.4G and 5.8G are on separate channels.
But the MR1100 tends to run hot, and its's wifi performance/range is not very good. So you would be better served by a second, dedicated wireless access point long term.
You may need to run the MR1100 with its back cover off to improve ventilation (small fan) under heavy, continuous data traffic.
Are you using external antenna(s)? Some have had good luck with this. Other's not so much.
Best of luck,
Jonathan