Router setup help - Asus Zenwifi XT9

[Markeas]

Im in way over my head BUT I've told the Mrs's this will work so help me out (if you can) 

In an attempt to remove a hostage situation of our home wifi from our children I have purchased a Zenwifi XT9 - mainly for parental controls and improved wifi performance - this maybe over kill for the pesky 50mb of internet I know (and yes I can not seem educate my own children). 

I'm having trouble getting this thing to work - AI suggested it would be easy even for me....

I have my PPPoE details and a load of other setting from vodafone.

Connection setup as follows.

DSL line > THG3000 > Ethernet Cable from LAN1 to WAN on the Asus (thats all), I can access the router via the app and web console.

Will it work? no! I have been through the wizard and have tired to set it as, Wireless Router (just get an internet connection status = disconnected. Then a iMesh system (which I know shouldn't work as I only have 1) and AP mode (which does work but i don't think this is the mode I want, as basically I have an expensive extender?)

In my head - it went like this.. I would connect the Zenwifi to the Vodaphone Router, get the log in details and it would replace my VF router? (using the VFR as a modem kind of thing) and thus routing everything through the nice shiny new toy, and taking control of life back in the house?

What have I done wrong? 

[CrimsonLiar]

Your THG3000 is acting as a router not as a modem.  So you don't actually need your PPPoE username/password and the easy way to use this is to set up the WAN connection type on the Asus router as Automatic IP.  This will leave you "Double NATed" which can be a problem for online gaming or remote access, but isn't a problem for many many people - and there are ways to mitigate this for some purposes.

Once you have that up and running, the regulars here can talk you though the little you can do, to regulate your kids online - and it's probably less than you would like!

[Jayach]

Unfortunately, as you are on DSL, you cannot use your new router without a modem.

The Vodafone THG3000 (or any of their routers) don't have a modem mode, so you are limited to using Access Point mode or Double NAT.

Sorry, but in this instance, it looks like the kids win.

[CrimsonLiar]

Access Point mode on the XT9, but that unfortunately removes many of the features of the Asus router that our OP may be wanting to use.

[Markeas]

Thank you for both reply’s.

so am I right in thinking… to use this system as intended I would need a standalone modem and then enter the details Vodafone have given me - or am I over simplifying this? 

In suppose the million pound question is, is it worth..! I will need better WiFi in the future to reach an external garage, and also the bonus of the parental controls. 

[HappyNomad]

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@Markeas wrote:

Thank you for both reply’s.

so am I right in thinking… to use this system as intended I would need a standalone modem and then enter the details Vodafone have given me - or am I over simplifying this? 

Yes... retire (but retain) the vodafone THG 3000 and replace it with a modem.    

Mine is the Draytek Vigor 130 which worked straight out of the box - discontinued now but available cheaply on ebay.    Otherwise, Draytek 166 or 167 for new.  Not sure there is much choice these days.  Another modem/router device with selectable modem only / router only modes would also do the job.

https://www.broadbandbuyer.com/store/modems/vdsl-fibre-modems/

An ebay Refurb here but there are others to be found at a range of prices.