Billion 7300G Wireless router (from Nashua)

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LancelotSA

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Ok guys I am full of ADSL questions today!! :) See what happens when I work from home for a day!

I have my old SMC router but recently went for the Nashua special offer of R139 as it was cheap (including the line rental so less money to Telkom) and it had the wireless router included. It has been my desire for a while to go wireless.

Now I have the Billion router but I am still using my SMC as I am running two ADSL accounts concurrently to allow me to use routesentry to split local and international. I am wanting to use the Billion but it seems that it may be "locked" to Nashua. Is this possible?

When I go into the settings for the Billion under username it has a blank space and then an @ symbol and then a drop down box which only offers two options, one @shaped.nashuaisp.co.za and the other @nashuaisp.co.za. Now what I was hoping to do was put this into bridge mode and then use RouteSentry to connect via PPPoe but I cannot find this option.

Do you think it is therefore been made Nashua specific? If so how do I fix this? How do I get it back to being a "normal" Billion 7300g to use as I see fit? I assume the "normal" Billion 7300Gs have bridge mode or something similar?

Please help... otherwise I am sitting with a useless wireless router here! :)

Thanks
 
Mine doesnt have anything to do with Nashua on it, so I assume you could just flash it with the latest firmware....

If you download the latest firmware, then go into router settings, choose "Configuration", "System" and then "Firmware Upgrade" you should be able to upgrade the firmware :)
 
The Axe Dude said:
Mine doesnt have anything to do with Nashua on it, so I assume you could just flash it with the latest firmware....

If you download the latest firmware, then go into router settings, choose "Configuration", "System" and then "Firmware Upgrade" you should be able to upgrade the firmware :)
Click to expand...

When you say yours, do you mean one you got from Nashua or one you purchased? Mine does not have branding on the router but when you go into settings via your browser it has those options I mentioned.


Does yours have an option for bridging?
 
Is your SMC router a wired router?

I have the locked MWeb router (Billion 7401VGP), and I'm using it ONLY as a wireless access point, using my wired SMC router for my PPPoE connections
 
sn3rd said:
Is your SMC router a wired router?

I have the locked MWeb router (Billion 7401VGP), and I'm using it ONLY as a wireless access point, using my wired SMC router for my PPPoE connections
Click to expand...

Yeah, my SMC is wired. Can you talk me through your set up please?

And obviously you have not done it yourself but is it possible to "flash" those routers and get them back to how their should be (ie not locked)? As suggested by someone above would just upgrading the firmware do this? Don't want to end up with a wireless brick either!! :)
 
It IS possible to do the firmware flash, but there IS also a possibility of bricking it, so I didn't want to try it. The threads I found about this didn't seem too promising anyway (apparently it moans about being the wrong version).

Sure, I can talk you through my setup (if I remember it correctly).

So the SMC is connected to the phone line, and the Billion is connected to the SMC through UTP.

I turned off the SMC's DHCP server, but turned on the Billion's. Both routers have statically assigned IPs, (make sure they are on the same subnet). Other than that, what other information do you need?
 
sn3rd said:
It IS possible to do the firmware flash, but there IS also a possibility of bricking it, so I didn't want to try it. The threads I found about this didn't seem too promising anyway (apparently it moans about being the wrong version).

Sure, I can talk you through my setup (if I remember it correctly).

So the SMC is connected to the phone line, and the Billion is connected to the SMC through UTP.

I turned off the SMC's DHCP server, but turned on the Billion's. Both routers have statically assigned IPs, (make sure they are on the same subnet). Other than that, what other information do you need?
Click to expand...

Damn u lost me already! :) I think I should try to work through it one day based on what you have told me now and then see what questions pop up.
 
Lol... well I can take you through it step by step, if you like... If you don't mind me finishing dinner first :p
 
ok...

Before we get started, a few things to note.

If your defaults are the same as mine, the SMC router has an IP address of 192.168.2.1 / 255.255.255.0 while the Billion router has an IP address of 192.168.1.254 / 255.255.255.0
This means that they are on different networks (192.168.2.0 and 192.168.1.0 respectively), so will be unable to communicate with these settings unless you statically define routes on each to the network. Alternatively, you could just put them on the same network by modifying their IP addresses, as we'll do now.

Since you are already using Routesentry, I assume you can already make PPPoE connections through your SMC router.

1)Start -> run -> cmd -> ipconfig /all
2)Check what IP address you have been assigned, subnet mask and DNS servers. Make a note of these.
3)Browse to http://192.168.2.1 (assuming that's your SMC's default address).
4)Disable the SMC's DHCP server (on my SMC, once logged in, you click "LAN" on the left and change the radio button for DHCP server from "on" to "off".
5)Statically assign the SMC an IP address (again, on my SMC, once logged in, you click "LAN" on the left and you can change the router's IP address). Use 192.168.1.x where x is something between 2 and 253 (we'll use the convention that 1 is reserved). 254 is probably the Billion's address, and 255 refers to the broadcast address. Preferably, choose 2 or 3. Subnet mask should be 255.255.255.0
6)MAKE SURE TO CLICK SAVE SETTINGS.
7)Statically assign yourself an IP address (on Windows XP: My Computer -> Right-click My Network Places -> Properties -> Right-click whichever physical connection connects you to the router (Probably Local Area Connection X) -> Properties -> Highlight TCP/IP -> Properties ->
IP Address: 192.168.1.x (where x is NOT 0, 1, the SMC's address, 254 or 255)
Subnet Mask: 255.255.255.0
Default gateway: use the SMC's address
DNS Servers: use the SMC's address
-> Apply and/or OK
8)Follow step 1 to confirm that your settings have taken effect
9)Start -> run -> ping -t 192.168.1.x
where x is what you assigned the SMC.
10)Verify connectivity and close the terminal.
11)Follow step 7 again, except make everything Automatic (IP address, Subnet mask, Default gateway and DNS servers should be grayed out).
11)Connect the UTP cable that was going to the SMC router between your PC and the Billion.
12)You should be assigned an IP address. Follow step 1 again to verify.
13)Log into the Billion router (on my Billion: browse to http://192.168.1.254), default username and password are probably both blank.
14)Following my router's menu's: Configuration -> User management -> Edit -> Create a password to secure your router. Configuration -> LAN -> DHCP Server -> Ensure DHCP Server is selected -> Next -> Make the range 192.168.1.100 - 192.168.1.199, say -> Apply
15)Configuration -> LAN -> Wireless -> Set up the ESSID and any other settings you want to customise
16)Configuration -> LAN -> Wireless Security -> Set up the encryption, key, etc, according to how you like it
17)Configuration -> LAN -> Ethernet -> Make the router's IP address 192.168.1.254 subnet mask 255.255.255.0
18)Make sure you "Apply" 'd each of these settings, and clicked "Save Config" at the end.
18)Now to test it out... Unplug the UTP cable from your PC, and attempt to connect wirelessly to the Billion
19)Start -> run -> cmd -> type ping -t 192.168.1.254
20)Verify connectivity (no packet loss)
21)Connect the UTP cable between the SMC and the Billion
22)Start -> run -> cmd -> type ping -t 192.168.1.x
where x is whatever you assigned the SMC
23)Verify connectivity
24)Make your RASPPPoE connections
25)r0x0r up Routesentry

Phew!

If these instructions get more and more vague as it goes on, sorry... I got distracted. If I made any mistakes (semantic or logical), please let me know. And if it doesn't work, let me know what it does, and I'll try fix it all up.
 
Last edited:
sn3rd said:
ok...

Before we get started, a few things to note.

If your defaults are the same as mine, the SMC router has an IP address of 192.168.2.1 / 255.255.255.0 while the Billion router has an IP address of 192.168.1.254 / 255.255.255.0
This means that they are on different networks (192.168.2.0 and 192.168.1.0 respectively), so will be unable to communicate with these settings unless you statically define routes on each to the network. Alternatively, you could just put them on the same network by modifying their IP addresses, as we'll do now.

Since you are already using Routesentry, I assume you can already make PPPoE connections through your SMC router.

1)Start -> run -> cmd -> ipconfig /all
2)Check what IP address you have been assigned, subnet mask and DNS servers. Make a note of these.
3)Browse to http://192.168.2.1 (assuming that's your SMC's default address).
4)Disable the SMC's DHCP server (on my SMC, once logged in, you click "LAN" on the left and change the radio button for DHCP server from "on" to "off".
5)Statically assign the SMC an IP address (again, on my SMC, once logged in, you click "LAN" on the left and you can change the router's IP address). Use 192.168.1.x where x is something between 2 and 253 (we'll use the convention that 1 is reserved). 254 is probably the Billion's address, and 255 refers to the broadcast address. Preferably, choose 2 or 3. Subnet mask should be 255.255.255.0
6)MAKE SURE TO CLICK SAVE SETTINGS.
7)Statically assign yourself an IP address (on Windows XP: My Computer -> Right-click My Network Places -> Properties -> Right-click whichever physical connection connects you to the router (Probably Local Area Connection X) -> Properties -> Highlight TCP/IP -> Properties ->
IP Address: 192.168.1.x (where x is NOT 0, 1, the SMC's address, 254 or 255)
Subnet Mask: 255.255.255.0
Default gateway: use the SMC's address
DNS Servers: use the SMC's address
-> Apply and/or OK
8)Follow step 1 to confirm that your settings have taken effect
9)Start -> run -> ping -t 192.168.1.x
where x is what you assigned the SMC.
10)Verify connectivity and close the terminal.
11)Follow step 7 again, except make everything Automatic (IP address, Subnet mask, Default gateway and DNS servers should be grayed out).
11)Connect the UTP cable that was going to the SMC router between your PC and the Billion.
12)You should be assigned an IP address. Follow step 1 again to verify.
13)Log into the Billion router (on my Billion: browse to http://192.168.1.254), default username and password are probably both blank.
14)Following my router's menu's: Configuration -> User management -> Edit -> Create a password to secure your router. Configuration -> LAN -> DHCP Server -> Ensure DHCP Server is selected -> Next -> Make the range 192.168.1.100 - 192.168.1.199, say -> Apply
15)Configuration -> LAN -> Wireless -> Set up the ESSID and any other settings you want to customise
16)Configuration -> LAN -> Wireless Security -> Set up the encryption, key, etc, according to how you like it
17)Configuration -> LAN -> Ethernet -> Make the router's IP address 192.168.1.254 subnet mask 255.255.255.0
18)Make sure you "Apply" 'd each of these settings, and clicked "Save Config" at the end.
18)Now to test it out... Unplug the UTP cable from your PC, and attempt to connect wirelessly to the Billion
19)Start -> run -> cmd -> type ping -t 192.168.1.254
20)Verify connectivity (no packet loss)
21)Connect the UTP cable between the SMC and the Billion
22)Start -> run -> cmd -> type ping -t 192.168.1.x
where x is whatever you assigned the SMC
23)Verify connectivity
24)Make your RASPPPoE connections
25)r0x0r up Routesentry

Phew!

If these instructions get more and more vague as it goes on, sorry... I got distracted. If I made any mistakes (semantic or logical), please let me know. And if it doesn't work, let me know what it does, and I'll try fix it all up.
Click to expand...


Thank you very very much! Only saw this now so have not tested it yet but will be sure to give it a try. Thanks again.
 
No prob. As I say, got a little distracted, so lost the plot a bit, but I'll be glad to help clear up any issues
 
For anyone stumbling upon this thread, the advice given by sn3rd worked brilliantly for me. The advice was comprehensive and extremely accurate.

The one error I did make initially was to assume for point 24 "Make your RASPPPoE connections" that my existing wired connections which I set up would work, obviously they don't and you need to create new ones for your new wireless connection!

Thanks again sn3rd!
 
Anytime...

Yes, you need to use raspppoe.exe to create the connections, sorry, I should have mentioned that.
 
LancelotSA said:
I am wanting to use the Billion but it seems that it may be "locked" to Nashua. Is this possible?
Click to expand...
I am in the same boat as you but don't have another modem to play with.

Just after receiving the modem/router from Nashua I suspected the same as you and phoned them up. The helpdesk operator assured me that it is possible to use, for example, prepaid access procured from another ISP by establishing a new connection.

You've also hit the same snag as I have. It does not seem possible.

sn3rd Thank you very much for your useful technical advice.

Has anybody tried the firmware flash?
 
There are a few threads about flashing Billion firmware in order to unluck these "locked" routers, but I have yet to find a success story.
 
I'm also struggling. Is it possible to unlock cybersmart (mecer )modem so that i can use sn3rd work a round?
 
You shouldn't need to do this. You need a modem that supports bridged-mode operation (and that is capable of being used with various ISP accounts). Then if you have a "locked" ADSL modem with Wi-Fi capabilities, you just use it as if it were a normal access point (with no ADSL involved)
 
Any update on this? Can we confirm then that the Nashua Billiton 7300 Routers are indeed ISP locked?
Their 12 month contract of 384kbps ADSL with 1GB unshaped cap is very attractive at R139pm - but if I can't use IS local on the line for "Tor" then I refuse to go with it.....
 
I'm pretty sure it's locked, as are the Mweb routers. @ R139-00 per month, it's still a really good deal. You should be able to pick up a wired SMC router like mine for under R400-00. Let's be generous and say R400-00: over 12 months, this is less than R34-00 per month => R173-00 per month, and you have the ability to browse wirelessly, on ANY ISP account you wish, not to mention the added layer of security.
 
But you're still getting locked into a contract - and you're only saving R16 per month?

If the router was unlocked I would jump on board today - but I hate contracts - especially at this time with all the action going on with Neotel etc etc..... I'd be pi$$ed if i was locked into their contract and a much better deal came along.
 
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