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Forum Discussion

mmeggs's avatar
mmeggs
Aspirant
Oct 14, 2022

I want to use ethernet tethering to allow a mobile phone to be the internet source for an R7000

I have a Netgear R7000 Nighthawk.  Currently the internet connection is an ancient, slow, DSL modem using twisted-pair that AT&T is threatening to cut off.

 

I also have a Google Pixel 3a that has a Visible unlimited data plan.

 

I want to replace the DSL modem with the Pixel for internet access using ethernet tethering (NOT USB tethering).   Does anyone know if this will work?  What settings do I need for the internet connection - currently PPPoE?

 

Thanks in advance!

 

3 Replies

  • FURRYe38's avatar
    FURRYe38
    Guru - Experienced User
    Oct 14, 2022

    Maybe posible to wirelessly connect the R7000 to the phones wifi signal when it's hotspot wifi feature is enabled. Can try Bridge or Repeater mode on the R7000 and see. 

    On the routers web page, there are modes on the R7000 under Advanced tab/Advanced settings/Router mode

  • plemans's avatar
    plemans
    Guru - Experienced User
    Oct 15, 2022

    It looks like some users have been successful in using a usb-->ethernet adapter out of the pixel 3

    https://support.google.com/pixelphone/thread/48505124/can-you-use-an-ethernet-adapter-on-pixel-phones?hl=en

     

    If you had a usb hub you could power the phone and use the ethernet adapter and try connecting the router to the phone (router in AP mode) and see if it'd work. I haven't seen it attempted so I can't say if it'd work. But usb adapters/hubs aren't that expensive if you tried it. And if it didn't work, you could always return them. 

  • mmeggs's avatar
    mmeggs
    Aspirant
    Oct 24, 2022

    Installing the latest DD-WRT ROM provided support for tethering.  Got the kinks worked out this afternoon.

     

    After letting it run for 3 hours with the Pixel as a USB tethered internet connection - including an hour of playing music videos - I decided to switch the router over to my network.  Testing was done with a laptop connected directly to the router.  Switching over just meant unplugging the Linksys 1900AC from the network switch and plugging the Nighthawk in.  No problems - for a few minutes.

     

    I started downloading a WINE upgrade just to check the download speed.  At first it was about 4 times faster than the AT&T DSL, but after a few minutes the speed dropped to the point that it was much slower than DSL.  Eventually the download timed out, and I switched the network back to the Linksys.

     

    Any suggestions about the cause, and fix, for the dramatic decrease in speed would be appreciated!  The Nighthawk did feel a bit hot.

     

    Thanks to all who answered.