Nighthawk R7000 and Centurylink Actiontec C1000A

[Roadturn]

This router worked great with my cable modem service. After switching to Centurylink DSL, though, it's not performing well at all.

Running straight from the Actiontec C1000A output to the internet input on the R7000, then out from the router via cable to my notebook, I get about one-fourth the bandwidth available when running straight from the Actiontec to the notebook. My aim is to provide better wireless for the house. Wireless performance, of course, is the same as the cabled experience... worse than not using the Netgear at all.

[avtella · Accepted solution]

It will do it, I have a C1000A, C2000A and C2000T... so from experience. I hope that helps, if not we will try something else :). I currently use bridge mode, with my C2000T.

Infact here are the instructions for Transparent Bridging from CL itself:

http://internethelp.centurylink.com/internethelp/modem-c1000a-adv-bridging-q.html

[avtella]

It could be a double NAT/Firewall issue due to active firewall in both devices or wrong user MTU setting in the R7000, should be 1492 max for DSL, you can try the following:

1. Bridge mode: the modem only acts as a modem and all routing and PPPOE dailing are done by the R7000, I have CenturyLink and this is what I do, works well.

2. DMZ: Setup a DMZ, to put your R7000 outside your modems own firewall in your CenturLink modem for the R7000, be sure to set the MTU to 1492 in the R7000 as well.

3. AP Mode for router, where all router does is provide wireless and modem does all routing/NAT functions, however I would avoid this as the R7000 is far more powerful than the C1000A which overheats easily under load.

[Roadturn]

Avtella, I know enough to sort of understand what you're saying. Let me see if I the Actiontec will set to bridge mode first. I don't think it will, but I'll try.

[avtella · Accepted solution]

It will do it, I have a C1000A, C2000A and C2000T... so from experience. I hope that helps, if not we will try something else :). I currently use bridge mode, with my C2000T.

Infact here are the instructions for Transparent Bridging from CL itself:

http://internethelp.centurylink.com/internethelp/modem-c1000a-adv-bridging-q.html

[Roadturn]

Well, I was able to switch the Actiontec to transparent bridge mode. Now I have no internet at all via Centurylink... whoops.

[avtella]

After setting the C1000A to bridge mode you need to switch your connection type to PPPoE in the R7000 and enter your CenturyLink username/password and also set dailing option to always on. 

Here is an image from my router for example:

[Roadturn]

I powered both down and back up again. Still no internet. 

[avtella]

Did you make the changes in the R7000 as shown above?

I assume you have your CenturyLink uername/password,if not just call and they will give it to you immediately.

[Roadturn]

I think I'm using the right logon info, but I'll check with CL.

[avtella]

The login info behind the modem is not the ISP credentials, thats only for the modem specifically.

[Roadturn]

Got the settings from CL. Still no internet. Do I enter anything in the Service Name box? Do I let IP and DNS select automatically?

[avtella]

In the R7000 Internet settings do as follows:
Change does Internet require login to yes.
Change Internet Service Provider to PPPoE
Enter CenturyLink provided login/password
Leave Service Name empty
Set Connection Mode to always on

[Roadturn]

That's the configuration. No internet. 

[Roadturn]

Internet Connection Status shows Not Connected (and won't connect)

[avtella]

PM me screenshots of your C1000A WAN/DSL transport settings and R7000 Internet/WAN settings as well.

Be sure to blackout any usernames/passwords/MACs/SSIDs.

Also I assume you entered the full user id as in inclding the @centurylink.com or qwest.net etc

[avtella]

Ok, I got your E-Mail, looks like the router is setup fine, guess we have to check the modem settings. 

Once again remember you must enter your full id ie: username@qwest.net or username@centurylink.net...etc depending on your area.

[Roadturn]

yep. qwest.net

[Roadturn]

I can't log in to the modem. Shall I reset it to factory?

[avtella]

Yes you can do that.

[Roadturn]

The modem is reset to factory. I will need to run the setup to reconnect to CL. I imagine that needs to happen before any settings are valid... yes?

[avtella]

Correct, so we can se how the default connection is, before proceeding.

[Roadturn]

Almost there. If you need screenshots... which ones?

[avtella]

The WAN settings page and the one page that shows DSL Transport mode, VLAN etc.

[Roadturn]

Well... I bridged it again and went through the process... now it's working. Got me.

One more thing. Netgear is broadcasting both a 2.4G and 5G signal... do I need to run both? Does it affect performance? If one, which to choose and how to get rid of the other?

[Roadturn]

I saw that I can set it up for auto-detect on which band to use.

Looks like I'm in business.

Your help is very much appreciated.