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Question

Wireless networks

Sep 24, 2015 6:38AM PDT

I've recently changed over from wired ADSL to mobile broadband. After seeing favourable cnet review, I've acquired an ASUS AC2400_ RT_AC87U router. Now I'm looking for a robust wireless modem, preferably with own aerial, to feed the WAN signal from my ISP to the ASUS router via its ethernet WAN port. I tried the TP-Link M7350 but it didn't even get to first base with basic modem functions. Any suggestions for a wireless modem that will definitely provide this connectivity, please?

Discussion is locked

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Clarification Request
So you have mobile broadband
Sep 24, 2015 8:50AM PDT

And while I read models of routers I can't seem to find what this mobile broadband is coming in on.

If it's some device with Ethernet, those router will do. If it's WiFi then you need a WiFi client device to feed some Wireless Access Point (WAP) or a router setup as a WAP. This is mildly advanced which I will only guide. I can not supply a step by step as each device varies.

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Wireless Networks
Sep 25, 2015 4:27AM PDT

Hi R Proffitt, Thanks for your interest. At present, the mobile signal is coming in on a small portable wireless modem with a sim card from my ISP. This is okay for providing internet connection to a single PC at a time via USB. However, it was not designed for feeding the signal to a router and, after trying with various adapters, I'm not able to get it to connect to the router WAN (internet) port. For reasons I don't need to concern you with, I ended up acquiring the router first, instead of a modem. The router's setup guide calls for a modem to connect to the router WAN report. So far, I've not been able to track down a suitable modem to fulfil this role. If I can't find a suitable modem, I may need to exchange the router for a combined Modem/router. I hope this clarifies. Regards, jodytrn

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I must be missing it.
Sep 25, 2015 9:09AM PDT

I can't find the mobile device. Maybe it's some USB stick to a PC? If so you have a few options.

I prefer Virtual Router at https://virtualrouter.codeplex.com/ however again I can't supply step by steps. Only that I know folk that used that to share their USB mobile connections.

As to using that with a router, there are few routers that support USB mobile sticks. And in fact it's so treacherous that I never advise anyone to get one.

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Wireless modems
Sep 25, 2015 10:31PM PDT

I'm trying to find a wireless modem to replace the USB stick. I find it difficult to believe that there is limited availability of wireless modems that support sim cards for a range of local ISPs

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Again I can't find the existing modem and carrier.
Sep 25, 2015 10:39PM PDT

Wish I could find that but I re-read this post twice now and have missed the details. Sorry but that detail is not here.

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most routers have both USB
Sep 25, 2015 11:34PM PDT
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Wireless Modems
Sep 28, 2015 4:18AM PDT

Hi James, Thanks for your post. You've improved our temporary workaround with the ability of multiple devices now able to access the internet simultaneously via an ad hoc network. The Youtube clip was small and difficult to read. I did connect to the router via USB instead of ethernet to the WAN port, but was unable to get a connection. I've since established from a couple of other sources that the problem with the wireless modem is that port forwarding has been disabled by my ISP, meaning that my only practical solution is to get a combined wireless modem/router from my ISP. Thanks again. Regards Jodytrn

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Yes
Sep 28, 2015 7:28PM PDT

without using a computer and doing "internet connection sharing" your chances seem very limited.

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youtube clip
Oct 1, 2015 12:21AM PDT
"The Youtube clip was small and difficult to read."

On sites like this where it's embedded and is small, you can clk on the word Youtube in lower right corner and get offer to watch it on youtube, where all the normal sizes are available to you.
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Wireless modems
Sep 30, 2015 12:00AM PDT

Hi James, I've signed up for a trial with another ISP that appears to have a much more open policy towards choice of equipment to operate with its sim card. I'm hoping their modem will connect to my existing ASUS router via its USB port, and solve my problem. Your comments have helped me narrow down my options. Thanks, regards jodytrn

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good for you.
Sep 30, 2015 1:29PM PDT

hope it works out the way you want.

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Answer
Dual router
Oct 3, 2015 10:14AM PDT
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Wireless Networks
Oct 4, 2015 9:10PM PDT

Hi annadagu, Thanks for your input. If my plan to find a wireless modem that will connect to my existing ASUS AC2400 RT_AC87U dual band router doesn't succeed, I may need to exchange that model for the DSL-AC68U. But that would be a last resort for me. Regards jodytrn