The Asus RT-N56U (alternative to Actiontec router) - Page 6 - Canadian TV, Computing and Home Theatre Forums

file · 2011-12-27, 08:58 PM

This can continue to be public as others may be interested in the discussion, just please create a new thread with your questions and we can continue there.

anav_ds · 2011-12-28, 12:08 PM

Been a while since reading this forum. Great work on the ASUS, we are not worthy. :-). I have been using the bridge mode on my action tech successfully into my main router a zyxel USG100. The only thing I did differently from before was to unplug my cable connection (dual wan connection at the house) and plug in the fibre first. The router pulls an IP and then I plug in the cable. The router didnt seem to want to do much the other way round,,,,,weird but true. I have to double check to see if I mimic the mac address of the action tech and will report back.

Nonetheless I am interested in getting rid of the actiontech biotch and replacing it with an Asus using your second option (separate port for anothe router).

Can I assume its true passthrough ie like its a modem?
Also will the 16 model or 66 model as provided by the off topic poster ;-), be a better option due to the increased processing power - you allude to a potential less capability on the wan side?

Do you want to ask me any questions on my bridged mode, test some things to ensure I am fully functional?

Finally, I have a 30 30 service and no hDTV (the internet is enough of a distraction LOL)

file · 2011-12-28, 12:12 PM

It's a true passthrough, the ethernet port is essentially directly connected to the internet VLAN at Bell Aliant. This way the router doing the internet stuff doesn't need to support VLANs itself.

I don't really foresee the RT-N66U as being a better option, but when it comes to using the passthrough option it doesn't matter as each router isn't handling the internet traffic the same way as if it was doing the NAT itself - they are just acting as a switch which can certainly handle the traffic easily.

anav_ds · 2011-12-28, 09:11 PM

Confirm that on my USG100, I do not spoof mac address. Until I run into problems (or need TV as well) I have no need for the ASUS but its tempting nonetheless.

anav_ds · 2011-12-29, 09:24 AM

I forgot to ask the basic question. I thought the action tech unit performed both modem and routing functions. The Asus model is strictly a router. How do you turn the ASUS into a modem-router?
I am scratching my head here not knowing WTF an ONT is but perhaps that is the modem and thus dont need a modem-router.

If so, is the only thing needed for a router simply the cloning of the mac address and the ability to handle packets as described for TV.

file · 2011-12-29, 10:12 AM

The ONT is the 'modem'. It translates between fiberoptic light and ethernet. You can't just plug into the ethernet and use just any ol' router though as the different services are segmented and expected to be provided to the consumer network in a certain way.

anav_ds · 2011-12-29, 11:25 AM

Okay, so if my USG did 802.1p (it does vlan tagging that I know) then possibly I could replace the actiontech as well, although the specs on the asus for thruput, sessions and that packet engine are phenominal.

I will check the router specs later. In the meantime I note that the the RT N16U is in the order of $20 cheaper than the RT 56U. Will the N16U work in this scenario (does it have that same internal packet engine - nevermind the ram stuff).

Do you frig with the webgui settings or do you do some behind the scenes linux programming to make this all work. Is that like a CLI gui???

file · 2011-12-29, 11:29 AM

If the USG does VLAN tagging you can have internet without the Actiontec, just by setting the proper VLAN and MAC address.

I have not tested the RT-N16U and can not confirm it would work. It does not have the packet processing engine and maxes out at about 100Mbps, so it still could work fine but would not be a solution that could be used in the future if speeds keep going up and up.

As for the changes it's a little bit of both but the changes are just to make it easy to put the unit into operation by selecting Bell Aliant as the ISP. There is still a manual option that allows you to type in the values manually.

habskilla · 2011-12-29, 11:42 AM

May I suggest a cosmetic change? For the MAC address, can you change it so we can put in a colon [:] separator?

PS It'll be a few more days until I can switch over. I'm just prepping the unit ahead of time.

Edit: took out the smiley face

file · 2011-12-29, 11:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by habskilla

May I suggest a cosmetic change? For the MAC address, can you change it so we can put in a colon (

separator?

PS It'll be a few more days until I can switch over. I'm just prepping the unit ahead of time.

Your request has been added to my list.

habskilla · 2011-12-31, 09:55 PM

Nice added benefit of using the Asus RT-N56U is I now can use my external IP from within my lan. I don't have use my cell anymore to verify stuff.

anav_ds · 2012-01-03, 12:58 AM

Thus if bypassing the actiontech (removing). Cloning the mac address of the action tech in my zyxel unit will fool the ont into providing the internet DHCP information?

Assuming I set up WAN1 to be identifed as on a VLAN with ID 35.

Can I safely ignore all the TV stuff (as I dont use it). Will not fill the router with noise??

Do I Have to worry about VLAN 33 at all?

file · 2012-01-03, 07:34 AM

Yes it should work and no you don't have to worry about TV or VLAN 33.

sgu222e · 2012-01-03, 02:12 PM

Not sure if it was linked yet, but here's a chart to backup why File choose the Asus RT-N56U.

http://www.smallnetbuilder.com/lanwa...er-charts/view

I'll be picking one up for sure now.

anav_ds · 2012-01-03, 03:17 PM

how would one (possible) to communicate to the ONT, with respect to diagnostic pages etc.........

2011-12-28, 12:08 PM	#77
anav_ds Join Date: Aug 2011 Posts: 73	Fascinating Been a while since reading this forum. Great work on the ASUS, we are not worthy. :-). I have been using the bridge mode on my action tech successfully into my main router a zyxel USG100. The only thing I did differently from before was to unplug my cable connection (dual wan connection at the house) and plug in the fibre first. The router pulls an IP and then I plug in the cable. The router didnt seem to want to do much the other way round,,,,,weird but true. I have to double check to see if I mimic the mac address of the action tech and will report back. Nonetheless I am interested in getting rid of the actiontech biotch and replacing it with an Asus using your second option (separate port for anothe router). Can I assume its true passthrough ie like its a modem? Also will the 16 model or 66 model as provided by the off topic poster ;-), be a better option due to the increased processing power - you allude to a potential less capability on the wan side? Do you want to ask me any questions on my bridged mode, test some things to ensure I am fully functional? Finally, I have a 30 30 service and no hDTV (the internet is enough of a distraction LOL)

2011-12-29, 09:24 AM	#80
anav_ds Join Date: Aug 2011 Posts: 73	Modem Part? I forgot to ask the basic question. I thought the action tech unit performed both modem and routing functions. The Asus model is strictly a router. How do you turn the ASUS into a modem-router? I am scratching my head here not knowing WTF an ONT is but perhaps that is the modem and thus dont need a modem-router. If so, is the only thing needed for a router simply the cloning of the mac address and the ability to handle packets as described for TV.

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2011-12-27, 08:58 PM	#76
file Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Riverview, NB Posts: 766	This can continue to be public as others may be interested in the discussion, just please create a new thread with your questions and we can continue there.

2011-12-28, 12:12 PM	#78
file Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Riverview, NB Posts: 766	It's a true passthrough, the ethernet port is essentially directly connected to the internet VLAN at Bell Aliant. This way the router doing the internet stuff doesn't need to support VLANs itself. I don't really foresee the RT-N66U as being a better option, but when it comes to using the passthrough option it doesn't matter as each router isn't handling the internet traffic the same way as if it was doing the NAT itself - they are just acting as a switch which can certainly handle the traffic easily.

2011-12-28, 09:11 PM	#79
anav_ds Join Date: Aug 2011 Posts: 73	Confirm that on my USG100, I do not spoof mac address. Until I run into problems (or need TV as well) I have no need for the ASUS but its tempting nonetheless.

2011-12-29, 10:12 AM	#81
file Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Riverview, NB Posts: 766	The ONT is the 'modem'. It translates between fiberoptic light and ethernet. You can't just plug into the ethernet and use just any ol' router though as the different services are segmented and expected to be provided to the consumer network in a certain way.

2011-12-29, 11:25 AM	#82
anav_ds Join Date: Aug 2011 Posts: 73	Okay, so if my USG did 802.1p (it does vlan tagging that I know) then possibly I could replace the actiontech as well, although the specs on the asus for thruput, sessions and that packet engine are phenominal. I will check the router specs later. In the meantime I note that the the RT N16U is in the order of $20 cheaper than the RT 56U. Will the N16U work in this scenario (does it have that same internal packet engine - nevermind the ram stuff). Do you frig with the webgui settings or do you do some behind the scenes linux programming to make this all work. Is that like a CLI gui???

2011-12-29, 11:29 AM	#83
file Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Riverview, NB Posts: 766	If the USG does VLAN tagging you can have internet without the Actiontec, just by setting the proper VLAN and MAC address. I have not tested the RT-N16U and can not confirm it would work. It does not have the packet processing engine and maxes out at about 100Mbps, so it still could work fine but would not be a solution that could be used in the future if speeds keep going up and up. As for the changes it's a little bit of both but the changes are just to make it easy to put the unit into operation by selecting Bell Aliant as the ISP. There is still a manual option that allows you to type in the values manually.

2011-12-29, 11:42 AM	#84
habskilla Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Moncton, NB Posts: 868	May I suggest a cosmetic change? For the MAC address, can you change it so we can put in a colon [:] separator? PS It'll be a few more days until I can switch over. I'm just prepping the unit ahead of time. Edit: took out the smiley face

2011-12-31, 09:55 PM	#86
habskilla Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Moncton, NB Posts: 868	Nice added benefit of using the Asus RT-N56U is I now can use my external IP from within my lan. I don't have use my cell anymore to verify stuff.

2012-01-03, 12:58 AM	#87
anav_ds Join Date: Aug 2011 Posts: 73	Thus if bypassing the actiontech (removing). Cloning the mac address of the action tech in my zyxel unit will fool the ont into providing the internet DHCP information? Assuming I set up WAN1 to be identifed as on a VLAN with ID 35. Can I safely ignore all the TV stuff (as I dont use it). Will not fill the router with noise?? Do I Have to worry about VLAN 33 at all?

2012-01-03, 07:34 AM	#88
file Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Riverview, NB Posts: 766	Yes it should work and no you don't have to worry about TV or VLAN 33.

2012-01-03, 02:12 PM	#89
sgu222e Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: 127.0.0.1 Posts: 124	Not sure if it was linked yet, but here's a chart to backup why File choose the Asus RT-N56U. http://www.smallnetbuilder.com/lanwa...er-charts/view I'll be picking one up for sure now.

2012-01-03, 03:17 PM	#90
anav_ds Join Date: Aug 2011 Posts: 73	how would one (possible) to communicate to the ONT, with respect to diagnostic pages etc.........