WAN port on WIFI hub not working?

[Kevan75]

Hi,

Tired of the poor range on my standard WIFI hub, I have bought a TP-link router and connected to the WAN port.

All seems good, except the router does not connect to the internet. 

Is there a setting for this that I need to ammend to allow the WAN port to be activated?

Thanks

[network123]

The WAN port is only to connect to the internet (With VF: only to be used if you have an ONT (FTTP)). Are you intending on using the TP link router as your DHCP server and are you currently supplied with FTTP or FTTC?

I'm guessing you're trying to use it solely as an access point, rather than router. You'll need to plug the router into the LAN ports on the VF router (not WAN), then switch of DHCP off on the TP-Link router so you don't get conflict (plenty of videos online to show how to do this).

Hope this makes sense, let us know how you get on.

[Jayach]

The Wan port on the Vodafone router is an input, you cant connect another router to it.

What router have you bought? As @network123 says it will probably be best to use it in AP (Access Point) mode.

[Kevan75]

Thank you both for the quick helpful replies.

I had read comments elsewhere that said the WAN port could connect to a router. Was helpful to know that its an input only.

I ended up changing the router operation mode from 'Wireless Router' to 'Access Point' in the TP-Link app.

Have turned off the WIFI from the WIFI hub and getting a much better signal from the router throughout the house.

Again, thanks for the help

[Kevan75]

Should mention, the router is connected through a LAN port now, not the WAN port.

[belfastbiker]

So, if I need extra ethernet ports and to move away from that terrible Vodafone broadband web & app interface, I can simply turn wifi off on the vodafone broadband hub, connect into one of the LAN ports, a switch and a wifi box, or even one box that does both, and that'll work?  It'll effectively be converting the vodafone equipment to modem only mode?  I'd then see my network map on the interfaces of the other devices?

[Jayach]

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@belfastbiker wrote:

So, if I need extra ethernet ports and to move away from that terrible Vodafone broadband web & app interface, I can simply turn wifi off on the vodafone broadband hub, connect into one of the LAN ports, a switch and a wifi box, or even one box that does both, and that'll work?  It'll effectively be converting the vodafone equipment to modem only mode?  I'd then see my network map on the interfaces of the other devices?

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No that won't be effectively turning it into modem only mode. It will still be a router, and if you connect another router to it you will be double NATing. You could however connect devices in AP mode.

But see my answer to your other post.

[belfastbiker]

After reading up on double NATTING, I think adding a simple unmanaged switch, and leaving the vodafone broadband hub the hell alone apart from that, seems the simplest thing.

At least I'll have those couple extra ethernet ports I need.