Choose between Archer C86 AC1900 and Archer VR2100 AC2100 for your home setup.
Choose between Archer C86 AC1900 and Archer VR2100 AC2100 for your home setup.
I've been struggling for days to set up a home server with the ZTE F670L from your ISP. The dashboard is full of typos and confusing text, and Wi-Fi devices aren't connecting properly. Since I live in Egypt, I don’t have access to a fiber-based router. I considered switching to a new TP-Link model instead, hoping it would work better. The challenge is I’m still learning this stuff, so I need advice on which option suits my needs best and how to link the old ISP device with the new one. Please help if you can! —Edited February 24, 2024 by Abdelfattah Radwan
You don’t need a DSL wireless router unless you plan to use DSL services. If these are your only choices, it depends on your future needs. Currently, your goal is just to run a server, which isn’t much for any router until you start opening firewall ports. This decision hinges on whether the server will be used for LAN or also accessible over the WAN. It seems the ZTE device functions as a fiber gateway and an ONT, giving you access to the ISP network. You’ll likely need to consult your ISP about running it in bridge or IP passthrough mode to avoid double-NAT. If that’s not possible, you’ll have to set up port forwarding between both devices so you can reach the server from the WAN. Solutions vary based on provider advice. Also, make sure your ISP isn’t forcing CG-NAT, as this could require a static IP or an external VPS setup.
Sure thing! That means you can definitely grab the Archer C86 AC1900. You plan to reach the server via both LAN and WAN, like serving a website. Ah, yes—the ZTE acts as the fiber gateway! (I wasn’t sure what the right term was to mention). I’m not sure my current device can handle bridge mode. I know how to set up port forwarding on my ZTE unit—it’s pretty straightforward. Unfortunately, I can’t get a static IP from Telecom Egypt anymore; they’ve run out of their static ranges. I’m using Cloudflare instead. I bought a domain, wrote a script that pulls my dynamic IP from the ISP and updates the A record to point to it. That way, I can reach my local web server (though LAN and Wi-Fi devices won’t get it, possibly due to NAT Loopback settings? If you’re curious, I’ve got a properly configured hosts file). When I spoke to my ISP, they said it’s fine to connect another router to the existing one, so I think I’m in a good spot.
It seems you're confirming progress on CG-NAT setup. Let's proceed with testing. I expect to face double-NAT scenarios.
After examining the ISP device's software, you can establish bridge connections in the WAN settings. You’ll need to connect the new router you receive, ensuring proper configuration is applied afterward.
Consider reaching out to the ISP for guidance. Each gateway varies, and they should provide precise instructions to ensure you stay connected within their system.
I connected the TP-Link Archer AX10 to my existing Ethernet setup, and everything is working smoothly. However, I still face double NAT issues. I attempted to fix it by enabling DMZ on the old device and redirecting traffic, but private IPs persist during traceroute tests. It seems safe to use VPNs and play online games without major concerns. No significant side effects observed.
Your operations remain unaffected by double-NAT. The main issue is ensuring you can reach your server through the WAN.