HOW TO: Use a third party router on Vodafone VDSL

[jonnywombat]

On Firday afternoon Vodafone UK sent a corporate email telling their support team that they can now give out Broadband username and passwords.

I have now set up my own router, and here's what i did.

Step 1 Ring VF on 08080034515 and get your username and password. The support team member then emailed me my Log in info.

Step 2 Swap your router. Keep your VF router in case you ever get an issue and need tech support as they will not support your 3rd party device

Step 3 In your routers web interface access the WAN settings. Set connection type to PPPoE, enter username and password and leave all settings as default EXCEPT enable 802.1Q and set Vlan tag to 101.

Step 4 Save settings and apply. Your router should now connect to VF. Mine took a couple of minutes to get a connection and another couple from the router showing it was connected to actually being able to access the net

Step 5 After a few minutes the connection dropped, and it would not connect again. After investigation I was told this is to do with VF registering your router on there network. Hard reset your router. Power it down remove the power cord for 30 seconds and power back on.

Step 6 Enjoy

This is just based on my experience of setting up my router ASUS DSL-AC68U, YMMV. However the ASUS is syncd at 73.6meg, when the VF router syncd at 72.1 and I have noticed a marked improvment in performance.

HTH someone

Jonny

[bendyone]

I use the TP-Link TD-W9970 in modem only mode with the Bluecave ( non vodafone ISP)  The advantage of the ASUS is that they have a built in VPN server, which works well for me. Gives protection when connectiong via other devices when out and about. Also gives you a UK ISP address when abroard, good for Iplayer etc.

[Ianl49]

Thanks. Not sure I can have a vpn on with an ipt. I have....But will take a look.

Just want a working router with 4 Ethernet ports ...

[WhiteCar]

A number of users here and in other threads have reported success with the Netgear DM200.
I must be missing something ...
I have, after a couple of missfires, got it to work in normal (router + modem) mode.

Internet Port happily reporting IP address, subnet mask and DNS but as soon as I switch to modem only (bridge mode) I lose the Internet.
The Internet Port is still up but the IP address, subnet mask and DNS have all gone to 0.0.0.0

Tried all the options I can find but no change ...
Anybody? ...

[Ianl49]

I havnt gone for new router yet...and things are a little better.. I changed my dns to 8.8.8.8 and secondary is 8.8.4.4 which is google server. Is that why a touch better ? Who knows. Still get a few drop outs from Ethernet connections though.

So try 8.8.8.8 in dns and see if that helps

[WhiteCar]

No, it's not a DNS problem, it's a DM200 Modem (Modem Only) mode problem.

When I switch to Modem (Modem Only) mode I lose my IP settings. If, from this state, I switch back to Router (Router + Modem) mode the IP settings return.

[Ianl49]

Can't you use router and modem mode together then ?

[WhiteCar]

No, the router function is not required.

[Ianl49]

Right got you.. you use a mesh system ? I do also and far better.....

Your problem is above my knowledge sorry

[Anonymous]

While I'm using a Draytek Vigor 130, I also have a DM200 (bought off ebay for £5 as it was supposed to be bust).  When you switch the DM200 to modem mode, there is a tick box that you need to select to enable the VLAN 101 & priority tags - it's not obvious, but it's often all that's missing in order to get the DM200 working!

[WhiteCar]

Yes, the 'Passthrouh VLAN' option ...

Tried both, no change.