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Question

Connecting (not) Asus RT-AC87R router to Asus DSL-N12E modem

by Jul 19, 2015 7:04AM PDT

I bought an Asus RT-AC87R router (flashed with Asus Merlin Firmware v378.54.1 in order to use a VPN service). In preparation for this "upgrading" of my home network, I also bought a standard Asus DSL-N12E modem/router to replace my ancient ISP provided modem/router with the belief or hope that the two things would be compatible.
The N12 modem arrived first and I set it up in place of the old modem/router and it worked fine by itself. Then the 87R arrived and, try as I might AND with the assistance of the VPN Service Tech support (for 3 full days now), the 87E will not see or use my (otherwise functioning) Internet connection.

The N12 still works fine in isolation as a standalone modem/router.

If I substitute the old ISP's modem and connect the 87R to it that works fine; including the VPN setup. I can connect devices to the 87R VPN router and access the Internet.

Unfortunately, I can't keep using the old modem. I need to get the N12E working with the 87R VPN router.

Please does anyone have any suggestions as to what might be wrong & how to fix it? Many, many screenshots are available of all the equipment's User Interfaces if it will help.

Thank you!

Discussion is locked

11 Posts
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Answer
What about provisioning the DSL modem?
by Forum moderator Jul 19, 2015 7:22AM PDT

I won't know how except when I change modems I must provision it. For DSL that may be settings only the ISP may provide and for cable modems they do that up in their world and no editing I can do will enable a new cable modem.

Bottom line? Ask the ISP how to provision your new modem.

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Thank you; here's what I know about that...
by Saltrams Jul 19, 2015 8:39AM PDT

ISP says all settings needed to make any modem work are provided automatically "down the phone line". This must be true because when I changed from the old ISP provided modem to the Asus N12E I only had to enter very little information (user & pwd). And it works fine.
My problem is now that I'm adding the 87R router to that N12 modem (Lan port to WAN/Internet port) the router doesn't detect my Internet connection.

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Then it's an incompatible model.
by r. proffitt Forum moderator Jul 19, 2015 8:48AM PDT

While I know about provisioning I can't tell you what to change as it's different for each ISP and custom for each connection (account information.)


If the N12 is still in its default modem and router mode, it would be incorrect or problematic to connect to the WAN port of the 87R. If you configure the N12 to bridge mode then the N12 is just a modem and the 87R would be the router. But we would still need the PPPoE or PPPoA setup for almost all DSL setups. And again, that information is from the ISP.

I've dealt with too many DSL setups and it continues to upset folk new to this. They want it to just work or expect boards like this to know these settings. Sorry, but that's not possible.

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Thanks again, in that case what do I need to ask the ISP?
by Saltrams Jul 19, 2015 9:19AM PDT

I do in fact know most of my PPPoE settings etc because I took screenshots of each page of the ISP's modem/router pages with all the info displayed. By this method I was able to enter what little information the Asus N12E modem/router required in order to work.
Is it possible that I set up the N12E incorrectly; i.e. not sufficiently terribly to stop it working but with something wrong so that it prevents me adding the 87R (another Asus product)? I'm not asking for the settings, which obviously no one could know; to be honest I was eexpecting an answer that pointed to areas of incompatibilty. Thanks again.

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The thing is
by r. proffitt Forum moderator Jul 19, 2015 8:16PM PDT

In bridge mode I put that information into the router. Since you didn't kick the modem into bridge mode, it should be problematic or fail.

Repeat... Bridge mode on the modem/router then the router can take over as the router.

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Doesn't this mean it is already in Bridge Mode?
by Saltrams Jul 20, 2015 7:15AM PDT
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Can't read that small a screen shot.
by r. proffitt Forum moderator Jul 20, 2015 7:54AM PDT
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Answer
spoof the MAC of the old modem....
by Jul 20, 2015 8:14AM PDT

onto the new modem. If more than the MAC is registered with the ISP, such as the serial number, then they will need to update it on their end, or you will have to put the old modem and do a passthrough it to your new equipment, so the ISP will recognize you as a valid customer.

It's similar to the way OEM and system builder windows works with Microsoft activation, the equipment must match, or be spoofed, to work correctly.

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DSL Modems are different.
by r. proffitt Forum moderator Jul 20, 2015 8:32AM PDT

Around here we call the setup "provisioning" which they appear to have working.

What they can't seem to get working is turning the N12 MODEM+ROUTER into just a MODEM. And since I didn't find a good manual or tutorial on that I'm stuck without being able to provide a step by step.

But the clue is there that they are putting provisioning information into the N12. In the past when I turned such into just a DSL MODEM the provisioning information went into the router.

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Asus Tech Support just replied;
by Saltrams Jul 20, 2015 9:40AM PDT

It's too late in the day in my time zone to be messing around with my Internet connection but I will try their solution tomorrow: (just posting it here FYI and in case you have an opinion...)

"I guess both Asus routers are using the same network 192.168.1.0/24

Visit the RT-AC87U router's IP address in your browser: http://192.168.1.1
Default name and password is: admin
Once you have gained access to the main interface of the router:
Please go to: LAN
and change: IP Address to 192.168.2.1 and click Apply.
Please note that now on to access router administration panel you will need to use address: 192.168.2.1

#3. Go to WAN>>Dual WAN.
You will notice there are options for Primary WAN. Keep Dual WAN OFF
Please change Primary WAN to LAN ETH 1 >> Click Apply
Now you can connect Ethernet cable from on of the LAN ports on the DSL-N12E router in to the LAN port 1 on RT-AC87U router.
Please make sure that on the WAN>> Internet Connection ( tab ) settings are as:
WAN Connection Type: Automatic IP
Enable WAN - Yes
Enable NAT- Yes
Enable UPNP - Yes
Get WAN IP Automatically - Yes
Connect to DNS Server Automatically - Yes
If Internet is working at that stage you can set up asus router to your needs."

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Private to private ??
by theNetnest Jul 21, 2015 1:37PM PDT

Kinda sounds like it might have been trying to route a private address across a private address. Routers don't do that unless you specifically enter a static route and then with some home routers it doesn't work.
"Please change Primary WAN to LAN ETH 1"

If it still doesn't work I'd say find a hub. Not a switch, a hub so you can run wireshark and see exactly what one is saying or not saying to the other.

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