Ensure your LTE router is properly connected and configured to function as a modem.
Ensure your LTE router is properly connected and configured to function as a modem.
Hey everyone, I'm trying to figure out how to make my MR1100 Nighthawk LTE AT&T Router function as a modem. It seems like it might not be possible. I've searched online, but many people report issues with Netgear and don't fully understand the setup. For instance, if I need to port forward, do I really need a fixed IP from a SIM card? Or can I still connect even though the IP changes during LTE? I left all settings open for you to see. I once had the router talk to me so it was possible to access admin pages through gateways after changing DNS settings—though that worked only temporarily and stopped later. Also, tethering the LAN port to my laptop's LAN works perfectly, but connecting it to another router's WAN isn't giving me modem access. It probably isn't that easy to adjust on the router side; I've tried DHCP auto and static IP options, but nothing seems to work consistently with my Linksys EA6900AC model.
AT&T might be applying restrictions to avoid certain usage patterns and is enforcing the use of their Wi-Fi and router ports. The inability to connect to a second router's WAN port suggests this could be the issue. Adjusting the MTU setting (default 1500) might help, but you may need to reach out to your ISP support for further clarification.
It seems you're wondering if the LTE router and other routers share the same subnet. With a mask of 255.255.255.255, there would be no usable addresses, which doesn't make sense for your setup. You mentioned a similar configuration using an MR1100 and an Ubiquiti ERLite‑3, so it might help to clarify how you're connecting them.
I believe the issue is likely a NAT configuration. I've already explored all possible solutions, including subnets and gateways. I'm almost certain it's related to the router's settings. If needed, I might reach out to AT&T for clarification. They only provide public IP addresses to businesses or those paying around $500. I plan to challenge the product description by arguing that the router is misleading. They could shift blame to Netgear, but I hope I can persuade them to accept this APN arrangement so it makes sense for their business. It would also help me justify my purchase at a minimal cost for them.
Can you link to the internet from several devices at once? That would mean the information is accurate. There’s no indication they must enable port forwarding. It’s not AT&T’s responsibility that IPv4 addresses are disappearing. You can check if they’re using a carrier-level NAT by examining your WAN IP in the modem—private looks private, public looks public.
Certainly you're correct, but I'm just trying to express what I intend to discuss. It's AT&T after all... Even if I was entirely accurate, resolving it would require significant effort. Regardless, I still find it misleading to promote port forwarding on the router without clearly stating the strict NAT requirements or any necessary conditions. (As a business and paying the bill). The WAN IP is a private address. But browsing the internet publicly is similar to what you'd experience if you connected your phone directly, which uses a public IP. Could there be a VPN solution that works around NATs?