Forum Discussion

BigBrotherState's avatar
BigBrotherState
Tuning in
10 days ago

Raspberry pi as add-on router

I am connecting a Raspberry pi (4 Model B, with wifi software) with the VM router via Ethernet cable.

Available Wifi networks does show the new network, I can enter the (correct) password, but it always shows "Can't connect" to the network.

I discussed numerous option with the raspberry software provider.

This problem is unknown.

I see in this forum that other users had to call the Internet Service Provider to clear the connection before using their own router.

I notice that under Tools / Network Status has "Downstream channel Locked" (same for Upstream) 

No filter to exclude any IPs / MAC.

What needs to be done to connect through the Ethernet-connected Raspberry add-on router?

Downstream channel
router
vpn
  • asim18's avatar
    asim18
    Rising star
    10 days ago

    Can you clarify what you're trying to achieve because the term "add-on router" is a bit confusing.

    Do you wish to keep your VM Hub performing routing and have the Pi only as a WiFI access point?

    Or do you wish the Pi to perform all routing and disable the VM Hub's built in router?

    You didn't mention which router software you are using on the Pi, I'm assuming you are using OpenWRT?

     

    Either way, before you try getting any sort of WAN/internet connection through the Pi, you need to be able to connect a LAN/local device to the Pi and navigate to the admin interface which I believe is 192.168.1.1 for OpenWRT.

    • BigBrotherState's avatar
      BigBrotherState
      Tuning in
      5 days ago

      Thanks for the feedback, Rising star.

      Yes, the functionality is similar to OpenWRT.

      The handbook (of OpenWRT equivalent) outlines connecting through the corresponding Wifi (available but would not connect) 

      and accessing the router through 192.168.44.1 ==> tried numerous times, along with other possibilities.

      Watching related videos/forums, the admin interface should be accessed  a f t e r  connecting to the corresponding wifi network (available, but doe not connect). So that should be where the problem needs to be solved.

      ==> but it does not connect (display says "Can't reach..").

      The customer service says this is not heard of from other clients. I have tried some 20 times, so there may be a setting by VM (Internet Service Provider) to block this connection?

      The VM router will continue to be used as main router (household), but the idea is to use the (OpenWRT) router with a VPN, so my internet communications are encrypted. (household /guest may still use main router).

      (i) I see another VM user writing "ISP informed me I can out in my own router. I would need to call them to clear the connection"

      (ii) Customer service discussion over several weeks with no progress, recommends contacting Internet Service Provider / router manufacturer to see how they can fix it.

      I checked VM router configurations (as in my initial enquiry).

      Does the Downstream Channel need to be unlocked by ISP?