How to use R7000 as router only

At our last home, we got out Internet service through a cable modem, which I then routed into a Netgear Nighthawk R7000 wireless router in order to get maximum wi-fi coverage throughout our long, ski...

antinode
Apr 10, 2020
> Using the R7000 in bridge mode, which was the first thing I tried,
> didn't allow me to access the Internet.

   Now that we know what did _not_ happen, what, exactly, _did_ happen
when you tried that?

> I acquired a wi-fi adapter that does allow me to access the Internet.

   When you do that, and connect to your "landlords' wi-fi", does it
just work, or do you need to log into something to make it work?

> I still want to be able to connect to an external hard drive as a
> network drive that both my wife and I can use on separate PCs, an
> operation that requires a router.

   Actually, that does not require a router. An R7000 configured as a
wireless access point would work, too, but getting that connected to
your "landlords' wi-fi" might still be difficult.

> [...] whenever I turn the R7000 on, I can't access the Internet, even
> though I also have the wi-fi adapter active. Presumably this is either
> because my PC is looking to the R7000 first or because there's some
> setting on the R7000 that's forcing my PC to prioritize it.

   The R7000 can't coerce your Windows system into anything.
Configuring the R7000 as a WAP might keep Windows from believing that
it's a path to the Internet.

   I've never tried anything like this, so I know nothing, but I might
look into "Internet Connection Sharing" or (on Windows 10) "Mobile
hotspot". Then, connecting the R7000-as-WAP to the sharing Windows
system might allow multiple devices to share that shared connection.

   Another possibility would be to find a (cheap) wireless bridge to
give the R7000 its own connection to your "landlords' wi-fi", which
might let the R7000 act as a normal router.

shadowsports
Hero
Apr 10, 2020
Greetings,
I given you the best practice and reliable solution.

If you want to use your R7000 and connect to your "landlords" wireless, put the R7000 into "Bridge Mode". If you don't know what this is, see page 85 of the user guide.

This is not a reliable way to get itnernet, but will achieve the desired result. The degree of reliability is marginal at best. It will hinge fully on the signal being broadcast from the "landlords" device. I hope it works for you.

.
- MrPeabody
  Aspirant
  Apr 10, 2020
  You keep answering questions you want me to have asked instead of the questions I asked.
  
  I know what bridge mode is, and that was the first thing I tried. Why go out and buy a wi-fi adapter when I can pick up a wi-fi signal with my router? But when set it up that way, it connected me to my landlords' wi-fi -- at least, it said it did -- but it didn't grant me access to the Internet. That's why I'm using an actual wi-fi adapter instead and looking for a way to use the router as just a router.
  
  Also, you can tell me as many times as you want that I should be using a wired Internet connection, and you know what? You're right. You know what else? I'm not spending $50 a month on a new Internet connection when we're about to go into the biggest recession ever because of a pandemic. So please stop telling me that I should, because I'm not going to.
  - michaelkenward
    Guru - Experienced User
    Apr 10, 2020
    MrPeabody wrote:
    
    So please stop telling me that I should, because I'm not going to.
    
    shadowsports has told you what you can do. You can keep on saying that you don't like the advice your given, but the answers will not change. Maybe it will help if someone else says it.
    
    You want to connect to another wifi source.
    
    As shadowsports explained, the only way to do that with the R7000 is to Set Up the Router in Bridge Mode as the manual explains.
    
    Do you know the SSID, WiFi security mode, wireless password, and operating frequency (either 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz) of the other router to which this router will connect?
    
    If you have tried all that and it does not work, it may be that your landlord's network is set up to block the operation that you want. Maybe they don't want people slapping multiple devices on the network.
    
    Have you talked to the landlord about your need?
    
    MrPeabody wrote:
    
    ....looking for a way to use the router as just a router.
    
    You cannot do that if you want it to get at the Internet.
    
    One router after another lands you in trouble.
    
    What is Double NAT? | Answer | NETGEAR Support
    
    All of the devices you want to connect have to obtain an IP address so that traffic travels to the right place. On your network, the landlord's router handles addressing. You can't have two mailmen arguing about where to deliver packets.
    
    MrPeabody wrote:
    
    But when set it up that way, it connected me to my landlords' wi-fi -- at least, it said it did -- but it didn't grant me access to the Internet.
    
    What happened when you tried? Any error messages?
    
    MrPeabody wrote:
    
    That's why I'm using an actual wi-fi adapter instead ...
    
    What is this magic adapter? One of those USB things that plugs into a computer?

Forum Discussion

How to use R7000 as router only