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Forum Discussion
How do I use my WNDR3400 modem router as a router only
My internet provider has 'upgraded' my line to a vDSL and have sent me a new modem/router as my wndr3400 stopped working. The wireless router the ISP has sent is rubbish and so I want to use my existing WNDR3400 modem/router but in wireless router only. Is this possible and if so how do I do it? I have looked all through the Router smart wizard but can't see anything which would enable me to switch to using it as a router only.
Thanks
9 Replies
> [...] WNDR3400 [...]
> Model: WNDR3400v2|N600 Wireless Dual Band Router
Which is it, "WNDR3400[v1]", or "WNDR3400v2", or what, exactly? Look
for "Model" on the product label. Significant features differ among
these hardware variants.> [...] a new modem/router [...]
Thanks for that detailed description. Did you want to use that
mystery device as a modem-only, or as a modem+router (but without its
wireless stuff), or what?> [...] The wireless router the ISP has sent is rubbish [...]
Elaborate "rubbish". Poor router functions? Poor wireless
performance? Other? It's hard to imagine anything modern being much
worse than your antique, but, with my weak psychic powers, you're the
boss.
> [...] I want to use my existing WNDR3400 modem/router but in wireless
> router only. [...]Did you want to use the WNDR3400[vX] as a wireless router, with your
(unspecified) "a new modem/router" acting as a modem-only; or as a
wireless access point with your (unspecified) "a new modem/router"
acting as a modem+router, or what?> [...] Is this possible [...]
Which "this"? As usual, many things are possible.
> [...] and if so how do I do it? [...]
That would depend on what "it" is, as well as on your actual model
number(s).> [...] I have looked all through the Router smart wizard but can't see
> anything which would enable me to switch to using it as a router only.
Did you consider trying this radical concept (which works for some
people):https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RTFM
Visit http://netgear.com/support , put in your (actual) model number,
and look for Documentation. Get the User Manual (at least). Read.
Look for a topic like "Cable Your Router" for one of the possibilities,
and "AP Mode" for another. Further reading might not hurt, either.Yea you can turn that router into an access point. You have to disable the "dhcp" and change the Ip of the router to something within the IP parameters of your current router. Look up on youtube "how to set up my router as an access point" and look at a few videos and you'll be able to see what you need to do to your router to make it an access point. Also when you set it up as an access point the ethernet cord coming from the main router has to be put on one of the four LAN ports on the back of the wndr3400.
> Yea you can turn that router into an access point. [...]
Almost any wireless router can be configured as a wireless access
point, but the how-to details depend on how it's done. Much of that
advice does not apply when using a WAP-mode option on a Netgear router.
And, without an accurate model number, it's tough (for some of us) to
provide (accurate) guidance.For a router which lacks a specific WAP mode option, you might see,
for example:https://community.netgear.com/t5/x/x/m-p/1463500
That's written for a Netgear C6300-as-WAP, but the steps are about the
same for any other router (any make/model) which lacks a one-step WAP
option. If the router which you're reconfiguring has a WAN/Internet
Ethernet port (unlike a Cxxxx), then leave it unconnected.Or, you could try to find a movie.
Many thanks for your response. The label on the underside of the Netgear Router just says WNDR3400 no specified version number so I guess that makes it v1?
Yes I want to use my ISP supplied modem/router as a modem only. I can set this to 'Bridging' mode which cuts out its wifi.
'Rubbish' in this context for the ISP supplied equipment means it only broadcasts on 2.4GHz and no guest channel, poor speed and limited range. Whereas the Netgear broadcasts on 2.4 & 5 GHz and has a guest channel, better range and overall better download speeds.
Yes i've tried connecting my Netgear directly to the ISP modem/router (which was in bridging mode)but I am not sure which of of the ethernet ports on the netgear machine to connect to. Also when I do connect I get a dialog box asking me for the ISP username/password as if the netgear was trying to connect directly to my ISP.
In the context of my post 'it' was whether it was possible to use the netgear modem as a router only ie without using the modem part of the box.
Thanks for the suggestion, I've already looked through the manual but it wasn't much help, hence the post to the community.
Colin_B_P wrote:
Many thanks for your response. The label on the underside of the Netgear Router just says WNDR3400 no specified version number so I guess that makes it v1?
Yes.
Colin_B_P wrote:
'Rubbish' in this context for the ISP supplied equipment means it only broadcasts on 2.4GHz and no guest channel, poor speed and limited range.
That's surprising. I wouldn't expect anything made in recent years to lack 5 GHz wifi.
What is the make and model of this device?
The original WNDR3400 dates back to 2010. It was never any great shakes. Your VDSL may not be the fastest Internet going, but your local network should be able to handle local traffic faster than the 100 Mbps limit of the WNDR3400. Modern hardware handles at least 1000 Mbps
As to the "limited range" of your new wifi device, 5 GHz is not as far-reaching as 2.4 GHz. (It is a matter of physics.) Most wifi devices are limited by the standards. When it comes it speed, "range" is less important than the wifi technology used. Again the WNDR3400 uses old technology.
