Cheap $20 a month Stand Alone Unlimited Rural Internet through AT&T Wireless

[Dutch445]

and i may have the setup totally wrong, this post refers to a similar setup but a different router,, so should the router be setup as an access point?



Att service is cellular 4g lte to the m1 hotspot. The hotspot is a stand alone hotspot that also provides Wi-Fi. The Wi-Fi range is terrible for coverage at my house for other devices. Thats where I want to connect the ac2100 to the m1 to provide extended range for the house with no Wi-Fi provided by the m1. The m1 only has usb-c charging port that can also tether, Ethernet port and usb-a. What I have researched led me to try the m1 connected to the ac2100 via Ethernet to the wan connection on the ac2100. M1 had ip passthrough enabled, dhcp off, and Ethernet standby disabled. Ac2100 I only changed the ip to 192.168.0.1 to not interfere with the ip on m1 and to be able to see both devices. But I can't get this to work.
OK, I just looked up the M1 to get an idea as to what we are dealing with here. It also sounds like you aren't following my advice on the setup, which is why you are getting lost. 1. There's no need to disable the WiFi on the M1 2. The M1 has a single Ethernet port (LAN-facing) 3. The AC2100 needs to be setup as an Access Point which means NOTHING gets connected to its WAN port. Please do the following: 1. On the M1, everything should be factory settings (not DMZ, no IP forwarding...etc) EXCEPT: a. DHCP scope should be modified to leave reserved addresses on the bottom and top of the subnet, so starting IP should be 192.168.1.10 and ending should be 192.168.1.250 b. Wireless should be configured with WPA2/AES and secured with a reasonably complex password 2. On the AC2100: a. Set the LAN IP address to 192.168.1.2 putting it in the same subnet as the M1 but in the range we reserved in 1a. b. Disable the DHCP server c. Configure the wireless with the same SSID and WPA2/AES passphrase as the M1 3. Connect an ethernet cable from the single LAN port on the M1 to one of the LAN ports, NOT THE WAN PORT, of the AC2100 That's it, that's the whole setup. Both devices will exist and be manageable in the same subnet. DHCP and NAT will be handled by the M1, both devices will authenticate WLAN clients which can roam to whichever device they are closest to.

 

[kcflhrc]

i'm getting some disruptions of the setup, (nighthawk M1, into Asus Tm1900) believe it's something to do with the Asus router,
and maybe it's a setting,
it just stops and a reboot and it comes back, then stops again,

do these log entries from the ASUS router mean anything ?


Aug 11 19:00:01 ntp: start NTP update
Aug 11 19:59:57 ntp: start NTP update
Aug 11 20:59:57 ntp: start NTP update
Aug 11 21:59:59 ntp: start NTP update
Aug 11 22:04:49 rc_service: httpd 770:notify_rc start_autodet
Aug 11 22:05:04 rc_service: httpd 770:notify_rc restart_wireless
Aug 11 22:05:14 kernel: wl_module_init: passivemode set to 0x0
Aug 11 22:05:14 kernel: wl_module_init: txworkq set to 0x1
Aug 11 22:05:14 kernel: eth1: Broadcom BCM4360 802.11 Wireless Controller 6.37.14.86 (r456083)
Aug 11 22:05:14 kernel: eth2: Broadcom BCM4360 802.11 Wireless Controller 6.37.14.86 (r456083)
Aug 11 22:05:50 syslogd started: BusyBox v1.17.4
Aug 11 22:05:50 TM-AC1900: start httpd
Aug 11 22:05:50 kernel: klogd started: BusyBox v1.17.4 (2017-11-25 00:48:18 CST)
Aug 11 22:05:51 start_nat_rules: apply the nat_rules(/tmp/nat_rules_eth0_eth0)!

Those look like normal boot up logs. Is this set up new? I would turn off the wifi in the M1 if you are using the ASUS for wifi. Also make sure you have no IP conflicts.

 

[ylr]

I didn't go through all 169 pages to see if anyone else posted this info,(LOL) but a website I peruse daily is LTE HACKS. Tons of info on the best way to get LTE internet.

 

[Dutch445]

Those look like normal boot up logs. Is this set up new? I would turn off the wifi in the M1 if you are using the ASUS for wifi. Also make sure you have no IP conflicts.

it stayed up overnight, will check tonight when i get home. speeds are good.. i will turn off the M1 wifi as you suggest, interesting feeding from Lan out of M1 into a Lan on the ASUS, but it works!
(for now)
thanks

 

[quicksandfarmer]

i'm getting some disruptions of the setup, (nighthawk M1, into Asus Tm1900) believe it's something to do with the Asus router,
and maybe it's a setting,
it just stops and a reboot and it comes back, then stops again,

do these log entries from the ASUS router mean anything ?


Aug 11 19:00:01 ntp: start NTP update
Aug 11 19:59:57 ntp: start NTP update
Aug 11 20:59:57 ntp: start NTP update
Aug 11 21:59:59 ntp: start NTP update
Aug 11 22:04:49 rc_service: httpd 770:notify_rc start_autodet
Aug 11 22:05:04 rc_service: httpd 770:notify_rc restart_wireless
Aug 11 22:05:14 kernel: wl_module_init: passivemode set to 0x0
Aug 11 22:05:14 kernel: wl_module_init: txworkq set to 0x1
Aug 11 22:05:14 kernel: eth1: Broadcom BCM4360 802.11 Wireless Controller 6.37.14.86 (r456083)
Aug 11 22:05:14 kernel: eth2: Broadcom BCM4360 802.11 Wireless Controller 6.37.14.86 (r456083)
Aug 11 22:05:50 syslogd started: BusyBox v1.17.4
Aug 11 22:05:50 TM-AC1900: start httpd
Aug 11 22:05:50 kernel: klogd started: BusyBox v1.17.4 (2017-11-25 00:48:18 CST)
Aug 11 22:05:51 start_nat_rules: apply the nat_rules(/tmp/nat_rules_eth0_eth0)!

I'm finding I have to reboot the router about every two hours. After switching out various equipment I've concluded that AT&T is closing my connection after a certain amount of time. What's strange is that it seems like the more heavily I use the connection the longer I can go between resets.

 

[TractorGuy]

I'm finding I have to reboot the router about every two hours. After switching out various equipment I've concluded that AT&T is closing my connection after a certain amount of time. What's strange is that it seems like the more heavily I use the connection the longer I can go between resets.

This has been happening with my ZTE Velocity also. Sometimes it goes a day or two and other times I have to restart 2 or 3 times a day.

I accidentally unplugged it this morning or last nigh and allowed the battery to die. When I powered it back up the light is red indicating no signal but my internet is working fine. It does that sometimes then I will come in later and it will be green.

I don't remember much about the Mobley since I moved my sim when it was just a year old. My Velocity has a signal light that starts flashing when there is a message. That happens every month when the auto pay goes through. I have to go into the unit via the wifi manager or in my case it has a touch screen like a cell phone I can read and clear messages.

 

[Dutch445]

i got home from work tonight and the wifi on my phone said "no internet",
so i tried using the wifi directly from the Netgear, and nothing,,
rebooted both the netgear and Asus (in access point mode) and everything came back up,
i did disable wifi on the netgear., it's weak and really not important to have it if the Asus
access point is working..
so frustrating,,,,,,,

 

[newbury]

I posted in another thread mostly ignored but now Xfaxman is seeing the same.
Thread https://www.tractorbynet.com/forums...bley-2-factor-authentication.html#post5797097
For those that don't follow links:

Went to check on my ATT Mobley bill
Tried to login to my account
Now they have to send a code to my Mobley
Finally figured out how to see SMS msg sent there.
Have had about 1 a month from ATT with notices when I paid my bill, last one was last month on 7/21.


Tried at least 5 times to have mesg. sent. None arrived.
Tried to send a test mesg from my phone to the Mobley - didn't arrive, tried again, nothing.
Have spent over 2 hours on the phone, 98% on hold, can't get through to a person that knows anything.
All the online support wants me to login, I try to login and they need to send a code to my Mobley, which never gets through.


Does anyone have any ideas how to get through?

 

[BigBlue1]

So I take it that the only line/device you have with ATT is the Mobley? If you had other actual phones they could send the code there. Do I understand correctly that you're just having problems accessing your ATT account, not using the Mobley?

I can tell you that ATT recently did something wacky with online accounts. I tried getting in to my online account in July and had problems because it was acting like a new account with no usage or line info available (though everything on my phone's ATT app was showing fine). It took quite a while for them to sort out what was going on and get it fixed.

If you have an ATT-compatible cell phone (even if not active on an ATT line) you might want to swap the Mobley SIM to the phone and see if that works to get the code. Even a friend or relative could lend you their phone for a few min to pop the SIM in and then initiate the confirmation code send. Another alternative is that you could try installing the MyAT&T app on your non-ATT cell phone and log into that. I'm not sure if the app will function if it is on another provider, but it is worth a shot.

Just to clarify here... if I'm understanding what you're saying, your issue is with ATT's online account access, not the Mobley. So while this presents a problem for users who ONLY have a Mobley and no ATT phones it doesn't portend the end of the Mobley.

Rob

 

[Dutch445]

This morning i had no internet again, the Netgear worked fine for over a week by itself with no router hooked up, which makes me
think i still have a setting wrong, or the Netgear is faulty, (still in my 90 day warrant from amazon)...
when i reboot and reconnect, speeds are great, but i can't figure out why this is happening, and the fact that with
the current setup with the Asus as an access point, i could leave the netgear wifi enabled and that eventually had no internet, which
makes me think it's a netgear problem not the Asus.......

 

[Xfaxman]

So I take it that the only line/device you have with ATT is the Mobley? If you had other actual phones they could send the code there. Do I understand correctly that you're just having problems accessing your ATT account, not using the Mobley?

-------------------------------

Just to clarify here... if I'm understanding what you're saying, your issue is with ATT's online account access, not the Mobley. So while this presents a problem for users who ONLY have a Mobley and no ATT phones it doesn't portend the end of the Mobley.

Rob

Right, except it does not matter what phone you have, they are sending the code to the number assigned to the Mobley.

The Mobley can receive messages from ATT&T, but it does not receive the confirmation code.

 

[newbury]

So I take it that the only line/device you have with ATT is the Mobley? <snip>

Yup

If you have an ATT-compatible cell phone (even if not active on an ATT line) you might want to swap the Mobley SIM to the phone and see if that works to get the code. Even a friend or relative could lend you their phone for a few min to pop the SIM in and then initiate the confirmation code send. Another alternative is that you could try installing the MyAT&T app on your non-ATT cell phone and log into that. I'm not sure if the app will function if it is on another provider, but it is worth a shot.

Just to clarify here... if I'm understanding what you're saying, your issue is with ATT's online account access, not the Mobley. So while this presents a problem for users who ONLY have a Mobley and no ATT phones it doesn't portend the end of the Mobley.

Rob

Due to Covid 19 I've been brushing up on my hermit training since January so nobody to borrow a phone from, and I don't want to risk blowing my Mobley chip by mucking around with it.
Since as I wrote it does get SMS messages from ATT I don't understand why they can't get me a code.
And the end of the Mobley is probably coming, it don't do 5G.

 

[BigBlue1]

Right, except it does not matter what phone you have, they are sending the code to the number assigned to the Mobley.

The Mobley can receive messages from ATT&T, but it does not receive the confirmation code.

They are sending the code to the phone number (line) assigned to the Mobley, true. But the line endpoint is identified on their cell network by the device containing the SIM assigned to that number. So if you move the SIM to another phone the code will go there. Which is why I suggested what I did.

Rob

 

[BigBlue1]

Yup

Due to Covid 19 I've been brushing up on my hermit training since January so nobody to borrow a phone from, and I don't want to risk blowing my Mobley chip by mucking around with it.
Since as I wrote it does get SMS messages from ATT I don't understand why they can't get me a code.
And the end of the Mobley is probably coming, it don't do 5G.

You've been staying home since January?

Just because 5G is coming does not mean prior cell technologies are not going to work. 2G devices can still function fine on today's 4G-LTE capable network. 5G will not cause the demise of the Mobley.

Rob

 

[Xfaxman]

They are sending the code to the phone number (line) assigned to the Mobley, true. But the line endpoint is identified on their cell network by the device containing the SIM assigned to that number. So if you move the SIM to another phone the code will go there. Which is why I suggested what I did.

Rob

I do not need to access the account bad enough to move the SIM. I got the Mobley in 2017, powered it with a plug in power adapter until last year when I hooked it to a small AGM battery with a maintainer to charge the battery.

When I first got the Mobley I would power it on in the morning and off at night. Now it stays powered on all the time. Went through the time out changes, but it never times out now.

 

[BigBlue1]

I do not need to access the account bad enough to move the SIM.

That's fine. But newbury might. And the method I posted is a possible way to address the issue. I get that you and he may have reasons to not pursue it, but maybe someone else could make use of it.

 

[newbury]

You've been staying home since January?

Just because 5G is coming does not mean prior cell technologies are not going to work. 2G devices can still function fine on today's 4G-LTE capable network. 5G will not cause the demise of the Mobley.

Rob

From Get Ready, 3G is Going Away in 2022 - Wireless Support

To bring you faster speeds and new features, we have to evolve Americas best and also fastest network. One change we are making is phasing out our 3G network by February 2022. Once we do, 3G devices and 4G wireless devices that don't support HD Voice will no longer work on our network.

I searched but could not find a mention of the Mobley supporting HD Voice.

 

[quicksandfarmer]

I didn't go through all 169 pages to see if anyone else posted this info,(LOL) but a website I peruse daily is LTE HACKS. Tons of info on the best way to get LTE internet.

I read through some of the info there. I found this line chilling:
"ATT's internal metric this quarter is reaching $13/GB (not roaming which is $120/GB, crazy I know). They are going to try tune all dials to reach that."

It looks like the jig might be up.

 

[buckeyefarmer]

You've been staying home since January?

Just because 5G is coming does not mean prior cell technologies are not going to work. 2G devices can still function fine on today's 4G-LTE capable network. 5G will not cause the demise of the Mobley.

Rob

2G networks have been off for years, 3G goes away soon. You will only have LTE or 5G very soon. Unfortunately the areas with poor coverage will stay poor coverage. The cities with good coverage gets 5G first.

 

[BigBlue1]

2G networks have been off for years, 3G goes away soon. You will only have LTE or 5G very soon. Unfortunately the areas with poor coverage will stay poor coverage. The cities with good coverage gets 5G first.

OK, my mistake about 2G. But 3G has been around since 2001. 4G was introduced in 2010. To extrapolate... if 3G is still supported through 2022 I'm not really worried about losing Mobley access in 2031. Mobley is a 4G device and will continue to be supported for many years. Right now the majority of cell phones being sold new are still 4G/LTE only. Only a handful of models support 5G. It would be extremely unlikely they are going to drop 4G support in the 2020's.

Rob