Share 3G Modem via Netopia 3347WG WiFi ???

limericklep

Hi

I'm not sure is this possible. I have broadband via the Three 3G Huawei usb modem. I have a old Netopia 3347 router. I no longer have DSL.

If I connect by 3G USB to my PC, then connect my PC to Netopia router via cable - Is it possible to share my 3G broandband via the WiFi on the Netopia ?

I'm guessing not - but you never know - be great if one could?

Lep

Hydromonkey

It is possible.
First, switch off the DHCP server on the netopia (go to http://192.168.1.254 for the menu, its in there somewhere).
Then go control panel->network connections on the pc with the 3G modem.
Right click on the 3G connection and go to properties. Go to advanced and tick the internet connection sharing box then select your lan connection to share on.
This essentially turns your PC into the DHCP server on your network

watty

It's technically possible by using internet sharing on the PC and if you can manage to disable router, DHCP etc on the netopia such that only the WiFi Bridge is working. But the WiFi is erratic on those old Netopias.

Better to buy a real 3G router.
http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2055361790
http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2055506944

The results of sharing 3G connection via ethernet or WiFi are erratic due to the erratic and unreliable nature of 3G and fact that a disconnection (regular) will lose sessions as it's essentially a fast but variable speed Wirless Dialup piggy-backing on the Mobile Phone network.

It's more bother than it's worth to try and get this to work. I recently had to put a Netopia DSL modem into Bridge and disable it's WiFi it was so bad. Added a Dlink ethernet WAN router + WiFi.

Ensure any 3G router+wifi supports your modem. Avoid the Mifi portable WiFi hotspot types unless you WANT a portable travel WiFi hotspot. Even for car/minibus a lot of "home" 3G router/WiFi can run of cigar socket adaptor direct without the Wall "wart" plug mains adaptor.

I've not used edison, but people seem to give it good reviews. I've used older Netgear, Linksys/Cisco, Dlink and Dovado on 3G but none lately.

I have even used PCMCIA USB2.0 adaptor from Maplin intended for PC on old Linksys WRT54G3G (PCMCIA and ethernet WAN only) running OpenWRT "White Russian" and x86 Geode based PC Engines Router running OpenWRT "kamakaze" (with PC mobo USB socket pluigged into its header pins) and both will take any OpenWRT / Linux USB 3G driver compiled for the correct target CPU type.

limericklep

Hi Guys

Thanks for the excellent replies.

I tried what Hydromonkey said and presto it worked 1st time. I'm now sharing my 3G with PC, Laptop and iphone via Netopia Routers WiFi .

Watty ty for your post, I will monitor how it works over next few days. Right now it seems ok - but will have to see how it performs at other times esp at peak times.

Anyhow again a big thanks to both of yee - excellent advice all round

Lep

watty

You may have a netopia that's OK. After a power cut check that Netopia hasn't re-enabled it's DHCP.

DO ensure you are using WPA for WiFi security. It's possible some Netopia only really work properely with WEP, which is no security at all.