Setting up Netgear Nighthawk MR1100 as a modem

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bkenobi69
DD-WRT Novice


Joined: 03 Feb 2015
Posts: 45

PostPosted: Tue Sep 17, 2019 22:45    Post subject: Setting up Netgear Nighthawk MR1100 as a modem Reply with quote
I've been a DD-WRT user for years but generally set it up and leave it until something breaks. As a result, I would say I'm basically a novice at setting things up. My last setup was a Frontier DSL modem connected to a Linksys WRT54G and it worked basically perfectly for years. I had an extra WRT54G by my TV to act as a repeater and the whole house and surrounding property were covered with signal. Something went south recently and as well as my DSL really becoming unusable in 2019 (1.5Mbps is not acceptable anymore).

I just switched to using a Netgear Nighthawk MR1100 for my internet and it works fine as a router. However, I want to connect it to my wired network to. I have 2 choices afaik. I can either connect the MR1100 to a switch (already have and could do this easily) and let the device replace my routers or I can set it up to IP Passthrough mode (basically a modem) and keep using my routers.

I have been working on the DD-WRT setup for hours today off and on, and I'm not getting anywhere. I have the router showing the MR1100's IP address but no internet. If I switch the cable to my laptop, I can connect right away. I'm missing a setting of some kind and not finding any documentation so far that leads me to a solution. Any suggestions would be great!

My configuration is:
Linksys WRT54G v2.2
DD-WRT v23 (I have the new firmware, but was holding off updating pending suggestions)
Netgear Nighthawk MR1100 w/ current firmware as of 9/17/2019

EDIT: I've also tried a spare Buffalo WRH-G54S with the same results, so I don't *think* the problem is the router.
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egc
DD-WRT Guru


Joined: 18 Mar 2014
Posts: 12837
Location: Netherlands

PostPosted: Wed Sep 18, 2019 5:38    Post subject: Reply with quote
Most netgear routers are using 192.168.1.1 the same as DDWRT so set the IP address of your router at 192.168.2.1

Furthermore some providers do not let you add a router to your LTE modem by checking TTL so if you can connect a laptop and not a router and the problem is not the IP address you might research this further

_________________
Routers:Netgear R7000, R6400v1, R6400v2, EA6900 (XvortexCFE), E2000, E1200v1, WRT54GS v1.
Install guide R6400v2, R6700v3,XR300:https://forum.dd-wrt.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=316399
Install guide R7800/XR500: https://forum.dd-wrt.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=320614
Forum Guide Lines (important read):https://forum.dd-wrt.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=324087
bkenobi69
DD-WRT Novice


Joined: 03 Feb 2015
Posts: 45

PostPosted: Wed Sep 18, 2019 6:08    Post subject: Reply with quote
I did have a conflict with the IPat one point due to both being on 192.168.1.1. I changed the MR1100 to 192.168.2.1 and that made a difference. It still didn't work, but it felt closer.

This is on the AT&T network, so not sure if they have an issue with using the device with a router. I can ask the store who helped set it up, but not sure they are techie enough. Worth an ask I suppose. I have not looked at TTL before, so not sure what that is, but I'll Google it to see. I read a few threads on the Netgear forum indicating this configuration should work, but I dont recall what network they were on or if they even mentioned it.
bkenobi69
DD-WRT Novice


Joined: 03 Feb 2015
Posts: 45

PostPosted: Wed Sep 18, 2019 6:53    Post subject: Reply with quote
It is possible that there could be a TTL issue, but after doing a bit more reading on the netgear forum, it may also be a double NAT issue. The public IP I am seeing on the MR1100 is 10.x.x.x which was a bit confusing initially. Apparently AT&T may be using CGNAT which is apparently problematic.

I'm continuing to read up on this, but any other input would be appreciated.
egc
DD-WRT Guru


Joined: 18 Mar 2014
Posts: 12837
Location: Netherlands

PostPosted: Wed Sep 18, 2019 7:21    Post subject: Reply with quote
bkenobi69 wrote:
It is possible that there could be a TTL issue, but after doing a bit more reading on the netgear forum, it may also be a double NAT issue. The public IP I am seeing on the MR1100 is 10.x.x.x which was a bit confusing initially. Apparently AT&T may be using CGNAT which is apparently problematic.

I'm continuing to read up on this, but any other input would be appreciated.


Double NAT or Carrier Grade NAT should not be an issue as long as the IP addresses of the router and LTE modem/Router are different.

The problem can be TTL related depending on carrier they do not allow to hook up a router to the carriers LTE/hotspot.
Hooking up a router (with NAT) decreases the TTL and that is how the carrier detects a router is hookep up.

There is a simple script you can add to the DDWRT router to increment the TTL
See: https://wiki.dd-wrt.com/wiki/index.php/Iptables

see under modifying the TTL:
https://wiki.dd-wrt.com/wiki/index.php/Iptables#Modifying_the_TTL

_________________
Routers:Netgear R7000, R6400v1, R6400v2, EA6900 (XvortexCFE), E2000, E1200v1, WRT54GS v1.
Install guide R6400v2, R6700v3,XR300:https://forum.dd-wrt.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=316399
Install guide R7800/XR500: https://forum.dd-wrt.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=320614
Forum Guide Lines (important read):https://forum.dd-wrt.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=324087
bkenobi69
DD-WRT Novice


Joined: 03 Feb 2015
Posts: 45

PostPosted: Wed Sep 18, 2019 12:50    Post subject: Reply with quote
Thanks for the links. I'll give it a try. I have to go by the provider store soon anyway, so I can also ask if this is a common issue/configuration.
bkenobi69
DD-WRT Novice


Joined: 03 Feb 2015
Posts: 45

PostPosted: Wed Sep 18, 2019 22:27    Post subject: Reply with quote
I found a forum that indicated that the MR1100 needs to have TTL set to 64 for all packets. I tried using the command from the wiki link you posted:

Code:
iptables -t mangle -I POSTROUTING -o `get_wanface` -j TTL --ttl-set 64


But unfortunately I get an error. I simply copy/pasted the code and changed the TTL number.

Code:
Warning: wierd character in interface `-j' (No aliases, :, ! or *).
Bad argument `TTL'


It shouldn't matter, but this was tried on the Buffalo WHR-G54S running Firmware: DD-WRT v23 SP2 (09/15/06) std

EDIT: I also tried to use the increment approach which might be better based on my setup. But, it still has no love for the command.

Code:
iptables -t mangle -I POSTROUTING -o `get_wanface` -j TTL --ttl-inc 1


Code:
Warning: wierd character in interface `-j' (No aliases, :, ! or *).
Bad argument `TTL'
egc
DD-WRT Guru


Joined: 18 Mar 2014
Posts: 12837
Location: Netherlands

PostPosted: Thu Sep 19, 2019 7:31    Post subject: Reply with quote
This indicates that you have problems with the `.

I avoid those like the plague because there are straight, curly, and inverted ones and Word has even more.

So use the following:
Code:
iptables -t mangle -I POSTROUTING -o $(get_wanface) -j TTL --ttl-set 64


Or try 128 or the increment method.

Check if the rule is working with:
iptables -vnL -t mangle

If the rule works place in Administrattion/Commands and Save as Firewall to make it persistent across reboots.


Another problem might be that your router has no TTL target. Routers with smaller NVRAM have some things stripped out.

What build are you using?
What is the kernel used?

Maybe you can use a larger build?

_________________
Routers:Netgear R7000, R6400v1, R6400v2, EA6900 (XvortexCFE), E2000, E1200v1, WRT54GS v1.
Install guide R6400v2, R6700v3,XR300:https://forum.dd-wrt.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=316399
Install guide R7800/XR500: https://forum.dd-wrt.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=320614
Forum Guide Lines (important read):https://forum.dd-wrt.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=324087
bkenobi69
DD-WRT Novice


Joined: 03 Feb 2015
Posts: 45

PostPosted: Thu Sep 19, 2019 12:31    Post subject: Reply with quote
I figured the issue could be the quote symbol si I did try other versions. I'll try your command and report back.

The router is running a pretty old version of dd-wrt and not sure about the size. I just used the default download at the time so I might be able to use a larger one.
bkenobi69
DD-WRT Novice


Joined: 03 Feb 2015
Posts: 45

PostPosted: Thu Sep 19, 2019 13:59    Post subject: Reply with quote
I ran your command and am still getting an error for some reason. FWIW, I ran this on the web gui this time so perhaps there could be a difference with telnet/ssh? I had the same issue last time I tried with either so I'll have to try again later I guess (late for work).

Code:
iptables -t mangle -I POSTROUTING -o $(get_wanface) -j TTL --ttl-set 64


Code:
Warning: wierd character in interface `-j' (No aliases, :, ! or *).
Bad argument `TTL'


Obviously it doesn't like the "TTL" string for some reason. I downloaded the newest firmware I can find for this router and will update in case, as you said before, there was a limitation due to the firmware I had installed.

My current firmware is:
Code:
Router Model:  Buffalo WHR-G54S
Firmware Version:  DD-WRT v23 SP2 (09/15/06) std - build 3932


and I'll be updating with this firmware:
Code:
dd-wrt.v24_std_generic.bin
bkenobi69
DD-WRT Novice


Joined: 03 Feb 2015
Posts: 45

PostPosted: Fri Sep 20, 2019 4:15    Post subject: Reply with quote
I updated the firmware on the Buffalo to v24 standard. After update, I was able to run the command to set the TTL to 64. I ran the check and saw the following output:

Code:
Chain PREROUTING (policy ACCEPT 2131 packets, 497K bytes)
 pkts bytes target     prot opt in     out     source               destination         
Chain INPUT (policy ACCEPT 1474 packets, 120K bytes)
 pkts bytes target     prot opt in     out     source               destination         
Chain FORWARD (policy ACCEPT 901 packets, 535K bytes)
 pkts bytes target     prot opt in     out     source               destination         
Chain OUTPUT (policy ACCEPT 1915 packets, 1913K bytes)
 pkts bytes target     prot opt in     out     source               destination         
Chain POSTROUTING (policy ACCEPT 2832 packets, 2450K bytes)
 pkts bytes target     prot opt in     out     source               destination         
   26 11043 TTL        0    --  *      vlan1   0.0.0.0/0            0.0.0.0/0           TTL set to 64


So, the command took.

After running that, the Nighthawk immediately started working. I do need to get this working on my Linksys router as that is intended to be the installed setup (Buffalo was just a test).

I think I'm good to go now. Thanks for the help!
egc
DD-WRT Guru


Joined: 18 Mar 2014
Posts: 12837
Location: Netherlands

PostPosted: Fri Sep 20, 2019 8:11    Post subject: Reply with quote
Great you got it solved.

Regarding a proper build for your 54G, you have to google for it there are build threads regarding this subject, I would be hesitant to use the latest builds.

From my memory 14929 was a good (but old) starting point)
I have used 27858 in the past for my 54 GS but that one is in storage at the moment.

But research which is best for your needs

_________________
Routers:Netgear R7000, R6400v1, R6400v2, EA6900 (XvortexCFE), E2000, E1200v1, WRT54GS v1.
Install guide R6400v2, R6700v3,XR300:https://forum.dd-wrt.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=316399
Install guide R7800/XR500: https://forum.dd-wrt.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=320614
Forum Guide Lines (important read):https://forum.dd-wrt.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=324087
bkenobi69
DD-WRT Novice


Joined: 03 Feb 2015
Posts: 45

PostPosted: Fri Sep 20, 2019 12:28    Post subject: Reply with quote
I found a suggestion to use a variant of the firmware I used on the Buffalo. Iirc, it was v24 mini for wrt54g. In any case, after following the same steps, I was able to get everything working on that router as well.

That said, speed tests show that wifi speeds are restricting my connection speed. When wifi, I see between 5-15mbps down whereas wired is up to 30mbps. So, I will have to find a new router. Is there a suggested model for use with dd-wrt that is budget friendly? I've seen routers can cost over $5000USD these days!
egc
DD-WRT Guru


Joined: 18 Mar 2014
Posts: 12837
Location: Netherlands

PostPosted: Fri Sep 20, 2019 16:37    Post subject: Reply with quote
In Europe value wise the Netgear R6400 v2 is about E 90,
I have installed a bunch of them, working well with DDWRT, throughput wise about 700 Mb/s with SFE LAN<>WAN and with OVPN about 35 Mb/s.

A step up is the Netgear R7800, which is actually the best value for money but will set you back E 160

My personal favourite is the R7800 which will get you about 850 Mb/s LAN<>WAN and I get about 90 Mb/s on OVPN but I have seen faster reported.

But this is just my personal opinion

_________________
Routers:Netgear R7000, R6400v1, R6400v2, EA6900 (XvortexCFE), E2000, E1200v1, WRT54GS v1.
Install guide R6400v2, R6700v3,XR300:https://forum.dd-wrt.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=316399
Install guide R7800/XR500: https://forum.dd-wrt.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=320614
Forum Guide Lines (important read):https://forum.dd-wrt.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=324087
dale_gribble39
DD-WRT Guru


Joined: 11 Jun 2022
Posts: 1899

PostPosted: Sun Sep 11, 2022 3:51    Post subject: Reply with quote
Please, need some help with TTL issue (4G LTE modem + R7000)

4G LTE bridged modem + R7000 setup. Issues solved (hope so)

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