NETGEAR is aware of a growing number of phone and online scams. To learn how to stay safe click here.
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 exist...
> [...] 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.
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.
> The label on the underside of the Netgear Router just says WNDR3400 no
> specified version number so I guess that makes it v1?Good guess.
> 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.An actual "bridge" mode would completely disable/bypass its router
section, not only "cut out its wifi".So, look for "Connecting Your Wireless Router" in the WNDR3400v1
Setup Manual, and use the WNDR3400[v1] as your router.On the bright side, the WNDR3400[v1] lacks a one-step WAP mode
option, so it's much easier to configure it as a router than as a WAP.> [...] I've already looked through the manual but it wasn't much help,
> [...]
_Which_ "the manual"? The WNDR3400[v1] is so old that it has both a
"Setup Manual" and a "User Manual". A complaint like "not much help"
is, in itself, "not much help". What, exactly, is the mystery?
> [...] I had previously thought that you could only configure the
> netgear as an access point using wireless to wireless communication.
> [...]That's not how "[wireless] access point" is defined. A WAP
_provides_ wireless access; it doesn't _use_ wireless access.- When you use the wndr3400 as an access point you will connect the ethernet coming from your main router to one of the 4 ports on the back of the wndr3400.
