Using Netgear router directly with CenturyLink ONT?

[FluidFactors018]

I'm trying to set up my RAX200 to directly connect to CenturyLink's ONT (without their monthly-rental router in between), and while I've heard it works, I've been unable to get it working myself. For those who have, can you share your settings?

I've enabled PPPoE and entered my PPPoE username and password (provided by them) and enabled VLAN, using VLAN ID 201 (also confirmed by them) and priority 0 for all traffic (wired and wireless), but I still don't get an internet connection. Although I've heard it should work, I've wasted hours trying different combinations in the hope of getting it working, to no avail.

Based on other posts I've seen online, I've also tried tweaking a few settings as follows:

PPPoE username: I've tried it both with and without the @centurylink.net on the end, as I've seen it displayed both ways in their system 

Connection Mode: I've tried both Always On and Dial on Demand

Internet IP Address: Dynamic

DNS: Automatic

Advanced->Setup->WAN Setup: I've tried MTU 1500, 1492, 1464, and even 1400 to eliminate problems with PPPoE and ISP overhead

Advanced->Advanced Setup->VLAN/Bridging: I've tried priority 0 and 1

For someone who's got this working, can you share your settings?

In addition, each time I change and apply settings on one screen, the router needs to reboot, adding 2-3 minutes to the process, after which another reboot is required if I need to make changes on another screen. Is there a faster way to do this?

[FURRYe38]

The ISP should have the correct settings and configuration needed to connect to there ONT. I would contact them and ask to see what is needed or required. 

[FluidFactors018]

I contacted them, but unfortunately they will give the PPPoE username, password, and when I asked, VLAN ID. They provided no further detail, as it's easier (and more profitable for them) for me to use their router, and they recommended i contact Netgear support instead.

[FURRYe38]

Figures. The ISP would have the VLAN ID info. Not sure if NG will. 

Might do a online search for CenturyLink VLAN ID and see if anything comes up. 

Try the DSLReports forum...

[FluidFactors018]

I posted only after a thorough search and some experimentation. I've scoured the internet, finding various combinations of settings from different blog posts, but I've had no luck getting any of them to work as of yet. I'm going to get one of their routers tomorrow, so I'll try cloning the MAC address to see if that helps, but otherwise, I'm running out of ideas at this point, so I'd love to hear what configurations have been working for people recently, especially if anyone is in the Seattle area.

Thanks,

Aaron

[FURRYe38]

👍

[Razor512]

While I have not found much on a netgear specific process, many other the methods tend to follow a config like the one shown in the link below.

https://nickmooney.com/centurylink-fiber-bypass-modem/#:~:text=To%20connect%20your%20own%20hardware%...

[Razor512]

Really with these forums had an edit button.

Anyway another seems to be this site. http://kmwoley.com/blog/bypassing-needless-centurylink-wireless-router-on-gigabit-fiber/ that is more netgear specific.

[FluidFactors018]

Thanks for sharing - The second link you shared is one of the approaches I had tried. As it turns out, the CenturyLink tech came by yesterday (really friendly guy and eager to help, which makes this less painful), and he couldn't get their HW to work either, even though the ONT appears to have a connection. Their call center was closed (he dropped by to take a look after his shift), so he's coming back to sort things out. I suspect that once he's got their router working, getting mine working will be trivial. Fingers crossed...

[FluidFactors018]

As it turns out, it was a CenturyLink issue - Their ONT wasn't working (the "Service" light had never illuminated), and once they swapped a new one in and activated it, I was able to connect with their router. With that accomplished, switching to the Nighthawk took the following changes (after plugging the Nighthawk directly into the ONT):

Under Basic->Internet

1) Set "Does your Internet connection require a login?" to "Yes"

2) In the "Login" and "Password" fields beneath, enter your PPPoE username and password, obtained in one of three ways:

  a) Log in to your CenturyLink router and find it in the router settings

  b) Contact CenturyLink support via chat

  c) Walk through the steps at http://connect.centurylink.com/, and in the process they will display your username/password. In my case, this version included the"@centurylink.net" domain at the end, (<username>@centurylink.net>), unlike what CenturyLink sent me via chat earlier, so I included the domain to be precise

3) "Connection Mode:" "Dial on Demand"

Don't forget to "Apply" your changes and then navigate to...

Under Advanced->Advanced Settings->VLAN / Bridge Settings

1) Enable VLAN / Bridge Setup: Check (to enable)

2) Choose "Enable VLAN Tagging", VLAN ID: 201, Priority: 0, Wired Ports: All, Wireless: All

When you hit "Apply", your router will reboot, and you should have a connection.

Thanks everyone for the help! I hope this saves someone else some time.

[FluidFactors018]

...and for what it's worth, I tested with and without the "@centurylink.com" on the PPPoE login, and both worked for me. In addition, with PPPoE enabled, you may need to reduce your MTU to 1492 (Setup->WAN Setup->MTU) to account for PPPoE overhead.