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I have a Netgear DGN2200v3 DSL Modem/WiFi router that I have been using in my home network. I'm dumping the DSL, and going to 4G LTE as my connection to the outside world, so have bought a Jetpack MiFi 5510L to use instead. This seems to be working; however, its wifi side is rather weak compared to my old Netgear. I would like to use the Netgear as a repeater to extend the wifi signal farther throughout the house. Anyone have any experience with this? The router has a checkbox in its config to set it as a wireless repeater, but it appears to be disabled - or, more accurately, when I check the box it immediately clears itself - so I cannot seem to set it into this mode.
Any specific help and/or alternate ideas would be appreciated. For example, after much forum reading, I get the feeling that the Jetpack may not have bee the right choice to begin with... (?)
Many Thanks!
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Unfortunately, your gateway cannot be used as a bridge or Wi-Fi repeater.
> The router has a checkbox in its config to set it as a wireless repeater, but it appears to be disabled - or, more accurately, when I check the box it immediately clears itself - so I cannot seem to set it into this mode.
Correct! Netgear expects you to call their help desk and ask why it doesn’t work. They will give you a sales pitch for a new router you can use with your gateway. They intentionally do this because the purpose of a gateway is to get one or two computers on the internet, they are not designed to be repeaters and bridges and bears oh my. If you want advanced networking features you have to buy advanced networking equipment.
> Any specific help and/or alternate ideas would be appreciated. For example, after much forum reading, I get the feeling that the Jetpack may not have bee the right choice to begin with... (?)
Compared to your gateway, a Jetpack is a high maintenance device and if you try to use as a fixed internet source it will fail with near predicable regularity. But this is easy enough to deal with once you recognize failures and learn what to do when they occur. Additionally, a terrestrial based internet connection such as DSL or Cable is preferable to a cellular internet connection with a metered data plan that Verizon Wireless uses.
You can USB ether a 5510L to any Asus wireless router advertised with 3G/4G support. Walmart sells two models and both work great. You have to change the router’s IP address, because both default to the same IP address (don’t change the 5510L’s IP address).
Unfortunately, your gateway cannot be used as a bridge or Wi-Fi repeater.
> The router has a checkbox in its config to set it as a wireless repeater, but it appears to be disabled - or, more accurately, when I check the box it immediately clears itself - so I cannot seem to set it into this mode.
Correct! Netgear expects you to call their help desk and ask why it doesn’t work. They will give you a sales pitch for a new router you can use with your gateway. They intentionally do this because the purpose of a gateway is to get one or two computers on the internet, they are not designed to be repeaters and bridges and bears oh my. If you want advanced networking features you have to buy advanced networking equipment.
> Any specific help and/or alternate ideas would be appreciated. For example, after much forum reading, I get the feeling that the Jetpack may not have bee the right choice to begin with... (?)
Compared to your gateway, a Jetpack is a high maintenance device and if you try to use as a fixed internet source it will fail with near predicable regularity. But this is easy enough to deal with once you recognize failures and learn what to do when they occur. Additionally, a terrestrial based internet connection such as DSL or Cable is preferable to a cellular internet connection with a metered data plan that Verizon Wireless uses.
You can USB ether a 5510L to any Asus wireless router advertised with 3G/4G support. Walmart sells two models and both work great. You have to change the router’s IP address, because both default to the same IP address (don’t change the 5510L’s IP address).
Thanks, 7e18n1.
I have continued looking, and am now evaluating perhaps using a Netgear MBR1515 or MBR1515A (not sure the differences, but appears only the "A" version is still available - Verizon's version is "L"...?). Bummer that it does not have a USB port, as I have an external HD connected to my original router. Any thoughts on the MBR1515 ("A" or otherwise)?
You're right, the Jetpack is next to useless. My HP Wireless printer (Officejet Pro 8600) which has been working flawlessly for years now does not come out of sleep mode (when connected to the jetpack) and the jetpack drops it as a connected device every few minutes. VERY annoying...
My thoughts… I connect a modem to a computer or a router, because I can manipulate both to do as I want. A combination device commonly referred to as a gateway is a limitation for me and I intentionally avoid them. The only exception has been a Jetpack, but it only cost $100, and I knew (a) I could bridge it to a router and (b) it would work exactly as the manufacturer claimed.
If I gave you the impression the Jetpack is next to useless, that was not my intention. As for your printer, you are either not using a static IP address or the static IP address you are using is controlled by the DHCP Server.
Sorry, 7e18n1, I misunderstood. Thanks for clarifying.
After additional searching, and re-evaluating my original goals, I decided to return the Jetpack, keep my existing internet set-up, and just remain with my status-quo for now. The original thing that thrust me down this path was an attempt to upgrade my security system to include video cameras, which my current internet (ADSL w/ 760kbps up) cannot support. Nothing else is available in my area, and after using up some 3 GB in two days (no video streaming or listening to music!) I decided we needed a different tack. I liked the Netgear MBR1515, but Verizon no longer sells it, and what they do sell is 4G only - won't fall back to 3G when the 4G signal fades out (I'm apparently right on the edge). So, that is also a reason that cellular is not an option for me at this point in time.
Anyway, thanks for your input and help; I will look into the static vs dynamic IP business for the printer, though it is back to working just fine now that I am back on my old modem/router. I must've set it up correctly way-back-when, and thought I had done the same with the Jetpack, but apparently not.
You’re welcome!
> The original thing that thrust me down this path was an attempt to upgrade my security system to include video cameras, which my current internet (ADSL w/760kbps up) cannot support.
Verizon Wireless can’t support it either! At least, not without using a public facing static IP address, because of the carrier-grade NAT between most Verizon Wireless devices and the internet.
> I liked the Netgear MBR1515, but Verizon no longer sells it, and what they do sell is 4G only - won't fall back to 3G when the 4G signal fades out (I'm apparently right on the edge).
The 3GStore might have something for you.
Thanks for the heads-up! I did not realize that, and Verizon (nor the security company) did not tell me that (about the NAT) - Good to know!
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