I just got a T-Mobile High-Speed Internet Gateway and am trying out the ISP service. So far I’m very impressed with it.
I have the cylindrical device (5G21-12W-A).
I’ve read that it’s possible to use this device with an existing router. Can anyone point me to instructions for doing so?
I want to do this as my router (NETGEAR Nighthawk Pro Gaming XR500 Wi-Fi Router) allows me to use an external USB hard drive as a NAS, which is very convenient.
I found that if I simply connected the router’s Internet port to one of the lan ethernet ports, everything works. That was much easier than I was expecting.
What about creating a double NAT which will negatively impact gaming? Is this a problem? What games do you play and what kind of connection do you get? I'm interested in this, but if gaming doesn't work, it's a deal breaker.
I am not a gamer, nor a networking expert so my answers will not completely satisfy you.
For what it’s worth, I did two ookla speed tests:
The results (ping time, download and upload bandwidth) were almost identical.
I just got a T-Mobile High-Speed Internet Gateway and am trying out the ISP service. So far I’m very impressed with it.
I have the cylindrical device (5G21-12W-A).
I’ve read that it’s possible to use this device with an existing router. Can anyone point me to instructions for doing so?
I want to do this as my router (NETGEAR Nighthawk Pro Gaming XR500 Wi-Fi Router) allows me to use an external USB hard drive as a NAS, which is very convenient.
If you're netgear has AP mode put it in that mode it will prevent double nat since the T-Mobile Gateway will provide the local ip addresses then turn off the wifi on the T-Mobile highspeed gateway so you don't have interference from the T-Mobile wifi with the highspeed gateway you have to disable all ssid's in order to completely turn off the T-Mobile wifi. I have a netgear nighthawk router too that I use with my service and no double nat problems! Hope this helps!
+15
You could disable NAT in the Netgear if double NAT is an issue for you. For most things though, it won’t make a difference. As mentioned, the easiest to ensure everything works easily is to just set the Netgear in AP Mode. The modem doesn’t have a Bridge Mode option and most that complain about that here seem hesitant and don’t understand that disabling just a few settings within the modem will essentially achieve the same thing as Bridge Mode.
I also have a network printer connected to one of the Netgear’s ethernet ports, and have assigned a static IP address in the router config. Will that continue to work in AP mode?
Thanks!
+15
Turning on Access Point Mode for some routers will disable the ability to login and manage the router until you factory reset. I can’t say for sure if that will happen with your Netgear. The only two Netgear routers I ever owned, I returned promptly seeing how buggy the firmware was on both the AX80 and AX120. Depending on your printer, it might not need a static IP. My Brother MFC-9330CDW does not. If you enable AP Mode on the Netgear and you can’t access the Admin Web Interface for the router. Hard reset it. You can technically turn off some of the routing functions while still maintaining the web interface for the router by turning off DHCP, NAT, and a few other settings manually.
I also have a network printer connected to one of the Netgear’s ethernet ports, and have assigned a static IP address in the router config. Will that continue to work in AP mode?
Thanks!
If you put it in AP mode you can still use the usb ready share on the nighthawk router if that's what you're asking. That option is not disabled in AP mode, I know because I have a 2 TB seagate drive that I connected to mine. Not sure about the static Ip addresses since the T-Mobile router would be the one handing out the ip addresses probably won't work just have to try it. Also I have no issues logging into the router like the above person stated you just need the ip addresses that the T-Mobile Gateway gives to your netgear router and then it will prompt for username and password. Not sure why the other person was having issues logging into theirs.
+15
I also have a network printer connected to one of the Netgear’s ethernet ports, and have assigned a static IP address in the router config. Will that continue to work in AP mode?
Thanks!
If you put it in AP mode you can still use the usb ready share on the nighthawk router if that's what you're asking. That option is not disabled in AP mode, I know because I have a 2 TB seagate drive that I connected to mine. Not sure about the static Ip addresses since the T-Mobile router would be the one handing out the ip addresses probably won't work just have to try it. Also I have no issues logging into the router like the above person stated you just need the ip addresses that the T-Mobile Gateway gives to your netgear router and then it will prompt for username and password. Not sure why the other person was having issues logging into theirs.
I had many issues with the routers. Sadly, they went beyond firmware, even though NetGear offered to replace them. I wasn't impressed that they knew about the issues and still let those units out into retail channels. Two units bought from two different stores having major hardware issues... Hopefully no one else ever runs into the issues that lit up their forums and tech support around when they were released.
Sadly, putting your original router into AP or bridge mode doesn’t solve the problem very well, since most people have lots of networked gear already installed and configured - TV’s, thermostats, cameras, Alexa’s, lightbulbs and hubs, gaming consoles, etc etc. Requiring all of those to be reconfigured to use TMobile as the authorative source for IP addresses and firewall rules (much of which cannot be adjusted using their simplified version of the controls) just isn’t workable. To say nothing of range-extenders or meshed APs - all of which are common for the kind of customers who need 5G internet connection.
T-Mobile needs to keep iterating on the firmware here until they get this right for all their customers. Fingers crossed.
Without and Bridge Mode the T-Mobile product is useless for this kind of setup. Sadly it’s already available in the hardware from Nokia but T-Mobile has removed it in their firmware. I will soon have to cancel my T-Mobile home internet service if they don’t resolve this because it kills my VPN access to work. Since covid has pushed a lot of use to work remotely this is a critical need which T-Mobile has totally dropped the ball on.
T-Mobile H. Internet users. If you are using another router for your WiFi and noticed your speeds slower than usual , place router in AP Mode. I use a Netgear R8000p. So go into settings of your router
Select ADVANCED > Advanced Setup > Wireless AP. For Nighthawk Pro Gaming routers, select Settings > Setup > Wireless AP. Some models might use slightly different menu labels, like Router / AP / Bridge Mode.
Select AP Mode. Apply!
T Mobile is horrible!! None of these options will work. They should call themselves "immobile. " This is so sad. You can't even watch one movie on one device in your home, much less work from home. I am going to the BBB because they lie to everyone about their service and it almost cost my husband his job. T-Immobile has really gone done. I have blogged them out hoping no one else experiences this. Please RUN from them!! Stay only if you want to ride the net on a tricycle.
T-Mobile H. Internet users. If you are using another router for your WiFi and noticed your speeds slower than usual , place router in AP Mode. I use a Netgear R8000p. So go into settings of your router
Select ADVANCED > Advanced Setup > Wireless AP. For Nighthawk Pro Gaming routers, select Settings > Setup > Wireless AP. Some models might use slightly different menu labels, like Router / AP / Bridge Mode.
Select AP Mode. Apply!
I have this router how do I connect the two?
T-Mobile H. Internet users. If you are using another router for your WiFi and noticed your speeds slower than usual , place router in AP Mode. I use a Netgear R8000p. So go into settings of your router
Select ADVANCED > Advanced Setup > Wireless AP. For Nighthawk Pro Gaming routers, select Settings > Setup > Wireless AP. Some models might use slightly different menu labels, like Router / AP / Bridge Mode.
Select AP Mode. Apply!
I have this router how do I connect the two?
I have it also. How do you compete the setup?
Does anyone know how to set up my Arcadyn gateway with Netgear R8000 in AP mode???
I have a TP-Link Archer A7 router, and was able to set it to Access Point (AP) mode via the router Admin settings function.
Not sure if I really needed to do that, but my router has the following statement about the AP mode; “In this mode, the router connects to a wired or wireless router via an ethernet cable and extends the coverage of your existing network. Functions like NAT, parental controls, and QOS are not supported in this mode”
I believe the benefit of having a router connected in addition to the T-Mobile home internet router is that they can be placed in different areas of the home, and then you can choose which device to connect to based on your signal strength.
I can still log into my router, I just need to be sure I’m logged into the router connection when I do it, rather than the T-Mobile connection.
I just got the T-Mobile Arcadyan rectangular KVD21 Gateway and it seems to be comparable to my Xfinity cable lowest tier 30 GB plan, although the speeds vary at times to much faster and much slower. This is only day 2 so I have time to decide on whether to keep it.
I wouldn’t put the 2nd router in AP mode because I wouldn’t want the T-mobile gateway issuing the addresses. I want the second router to give out IP addresses. You can’t control those or do anything with that “router”. It’s more like a switch that can issue addresses since there’s almost no other options. It’s barely a router. I would only want the T-M gateway to provide internet and do nothing else.
I have not got the service yet. I am trying to plan ahead.
I found that if I simply connected the router’s Internet port to one of the lan ethernet ports, everything works. That was much easier than I was expecting.
how does that work? Arent ethernet cables and landline connections a different size port?
I have an ASUS mesh system using Merlin and I have many thing configured so I wanted to use router mode and not bridge mode. My main router is downstairs, the mesh node is upstairs and is hardwired to the main one I unplugged the ethernet from the cable modem and plugged in in to the T-Mobile Arcadyan KVD21. The speeds are the same if I use the router or plug directly in to the ethernet on the router. With cox I rec’d speeds of about 160 even though I was paying for gigabit. With TMO 40-60 and the speed varies however the connection appears to be more stable and I Am hopeful that the speeds will continue to increase.I have a ton of stuff connected and there is no buffering. I did lower my MTU which was recommended by others and that helped. For $25 a month I am going to give ti a change. I am not a gamer
Currently my primary ASUS router is connected to my cable ISP provided modem. I have 2 additional ASUS routers connected as nodes using AIMESH.
Here’s the same question asked in a different way: If I switch ISPs, can the T-Mobile gateway be configured as if it were a ‘simple’ modem - allowing my router network to operate as it does today?
Enter your username or e-mail address. We'll send you an e-mail with instructions to reset your password.
