Sitecom 3G router with E272

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AylenS

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As a newby to the wifi world, I thought I'd simply buy a router, and plug my vodacom e272 modem into it, and in a couple of secs I'd be sharing my internet connection? Wrong!

I bought a sitecom 3G Ready ("Wireless Network UMTS Router 54G") wireless router at Dion Wired, and I've managed to get a wireless network running with it and a pc running xp. I've configured the router as far as I know, in line with what the config looked like in the modem software (vmc lite).

But when I plug the e272 into the router nothing happens! Is it supposed to dial in itself, or do I need to dial in from the pc? I've tried that, running vmc lite, but it just gives me a 797 error message, saying it can't find the modem. Please help thanks!
 
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If you using a router you won't be able to establish a connection via the VMC lite software, you will probably need to check the router admin interface for the connection options...
 
I have several wireless routers here - mostly Linksys. When I bought my E272 modem so I could also have 3G, I went to Incredible Connection and bought their Dovado 3G wireless router - they had a half off special, and I paid around R 1000.00.
It works incredibly well with the E272, and the range of it's wireless access exceeds that of any of my other wireless routers.
The company also appears to be very consumer friendly, with good communication. I get emailed when they have a software update - which I can download free from their website.

Summary....E-272 - one of the best 3G modems out there (if you can get one)
Dovado 3G wireless router - works extremely well with the E-272, easy setup, good range, and excellent backup

PS Neither I, my girlfriend, my dog, or any of my family are associated with Dovado or I.C
 
Thanks for the responses. To summarise, my options are to: use the router config settings (already treid that), read the manual (already done this), take it to Dion Wired to get it working (maybe an option) or buy a Dovado 'cos they work (I'm a bit stubborn so I'll delay this one)...

I'm going to start by fiddling with the router config a little more, and banging off a support question email to Sitecom. Wish me luck.
 
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Terminology and Other Questions

I'm a technology newbie but I've been reading some of the threads to help me solve some problems as I move to inslallnig a router. However I realise I need some basic info before I can start getting somewhere, so please can you smarties sigh patienty and help out a raw beginner. I know the response to some of the q's could be "find out yourself" but I'm trying to tie the info together so bear with me! Remeber, I speak for the millions like me:

I've got a Vodacom contract with an E272 modem. Presumably Vodacom is therefore my ISP? I connect via the Vodafone Mobile Connect Lite software. There doesn't seem to be a password involved, just the PIN code that came with the sim card, so the answers below (in the router config) re the AUTH method would be correct?

Network Settings :
Auth Method : [SIM/username & password]
User Name :
Password :
Enter PIN Code : 1234
Access Point Name : internet


Then, I've read a whole lot of references to PPP without understanding what it is. Would I need to add anything to the questions below?

Network Preferences : [3.5 preferred]
Advanced PPP Settings :
Username :
Password :
Idle Timeout :
Echo Timeout :
Echo Count :


Finally (!), in moving to sharing a modem across a router, would I need toset up a new connection and internet config in xp?

thank you very much. I erally appreciate the help.
 
You don't need PPP. This router supports both ADSL and 3G via USB. The PPP references will be for ADSL connections. The network settings in the first section you listed appear to be correct, but without having seen the interface I can't say for sure what you need to set where. The manual only briefly covers the internet connection using the Wizard, do you have an option to Select Vodacom as your ISP in the dropdown?

Once the router is setup the other devices on your network will gateway through it, you don't need to setup anything on them other than making sure they get DHCP IP from the router.

My advice still stands: Take the router to Dion Wired and get them to make it work.
 
thanks morkhans, I will. I'm increasnigly convinced its something from the dread world of IP addressing. I can access the router when the modem is attached to my pc, but it won't connect when the modem's connected to the router. When the modem was connected to the PC I ran ipconfig /all (see, I do read the threads!) and it gave me

Windows IP Configuration
Host Name . . . . . . . . . . . . : Desktop
Primary Dns Suffix . . . . . . . :
Node Type . . . . . . . . . . . . : Hybrid
IP Routing Enabled. . . . . . . . : No
WINS Proxy Enabled. . . . . . . . : No


Ethernet adapter Local Area Connection 2:

Media State . . . . . . . . . . . : Media disconnected
Description . . . . . . . . . . . : Realtek RTL8139 Family PCI Fast Ethernet NIC
Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 00-80-AD-74-DD-A1

Ethernet adapter Wireless Network Connection 3:

Media State . . . . . . . . . . . : Media disconnected
Description . . . . . . . . . . . : Compact Wireless-G USB Adapter #2
Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 00-23-69-01-FB-91

PPP adapter Vodafone Mobile Connect:

Connection-specific DNS Suffix . :
Description . . . . . . . . . . . : WAN (PPP/SLIP) Interface
Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 00-53-45-00-00-00
Dhcp Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : No
IP Address. . . . . . . . . . . . : 41.26.63.235
Subnet Mask . . . . . . . . . . . : 255.255.255.255
Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . : 41.26.63.235
DNS Servers . . . . . . . . . . . : 196.207.32.83

196.207.32.69

Primary WINS Server . . . . . . . : 10.11.12.13
Secondary WINS Server . . . . . . : 10.11.12.14

Does anything about this setup leap out at you, before I print it all out and trundle down to Dions:). I understand from your response that the PPP stuff is irrelevent to me, since I'm using wireless? Its interesting that my VMC Lite stuff crops up under "PPP Adapter". The PC has an unused ethernet adapter in, as far as I know, but with no cable connection.
 
You have to set your SIM Pin in the router - did you do this ?

Or disable the SIM Pin.

Have you set up the login parameters for Vodacom in the router.

I have both the Dovado, and a similar Netgear, and both of them require that these items be set up before use.

I don't think that Dion Wired (or any retail hardware vendor) would be able to assist with an issue like this.
 
Sim PIN

I haven't changed the SIM Pin, just added into the router config.
 
Jola said:
I don't think that Dion Wired (or any retail hardware vendor) would be able to assist with an issue like this.
Click to expand...

If you sell something the least you can do is offer basic support for the product or be able to refer the client to more knowledgeable 3rd party.

@AylenS I need more detailed information and/or screenshots about the 3G config part of the router to be able to help you further.
 
morkhans said:
If you sell something the least you can do is offer basic support for the product or be able to refer the client to more knowledgeable 3rd party.
Click to expand...

In an ideal world, maybe.

If you bought this product in the USA from Fry's or a similar retail store, do you think that they could help you set it up ? No way !
 
Well, I took my problem off to the retail store I bought the router from, but no joy. Just blank faces. So I'm back here, with some more info, hoping that some bright spark can spot the problem! Below is the results of an ipconfig /all, followed by the Status results for its internet connect and then followed by the Status results for the router device itself. Thanks for ny assistance!


Windows IP Configuration

Host Name . . . . . . . . . . . . : Desktop
Primary Dns Suffix . . . . . . . :
Node Type . . . . . . . . . . . . : Hybrid
IP Routing Enabled. . . . . . . . : No
WINS Proxy Enabled. . . . . . . . : No

Ethernet adapter Local Area Connection 2:
Media State . . . . . . . . . . . : Media disconnected
Description . . . . . . . . . . . : Realtek RTL8139 Family PCI Fast Ethernet NIC
Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 00-80-AD-74-DD-A1
Ethernet adapter Wireless Network Connection 3:
Media State . . . . . . . . . . . : Media disconnected
Description . . . . . . . . . . . : Compact Wireless-G USB Adapter #2
Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 00-23-69-01-FB-91

PPP adapter Vodafone Mobile Connect:

Connection-specific DNS Suffix . :
Description . . . . . . . . . . . : WAN (PPP/SLIP) Interface
Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 00-53-45-00-00-00
Dhcp Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : No
IP Address. . . . . . . . . . . . : 41.26.63.235
Subnet Mask . . . . . . . . . . . : 255.255.255.255
Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . : 41.26.63.235
DNS Servers . . . . . . . . . . . : 196.207.32.83

196.207.32.69
Primary WINS Server . . . . . . . : 10.11.12.13
Secondary WINS Server . . . . . . : 10.11.12.14

Status
View the current internet connection status and related information.
Attain IP Protocol : PPPoE disonnected
IP address :
Subnet Mask :
Default Gateway : 0.0.0.0
MAC address : 00:0C:F6:31:DB:6F
Primary DNS :
Secundary DNS :

WWAN Status : Disconnected
IP Address : N/A
Subnet Mask : N/A
Gateway : N/A
Manufacturer : HUAWEI Technologies
Product : HUAWEI Mobile
IMEI : N/A
Signal : N/A

View the current setting status of this device (Router).
Wireless Configuration
Mode : AP
ESSID : Sitecom
Channel : 11
Security : Disable
LAN Configuration
IP address : 192.168.0.1
Subnet Mask : 255.255.255.0
DHCP Server : Enabled
 
AylenS said:
WWAN Status : Disconnected
IP Address : N/A
Subnet Mask : N/A
Gateway : N/A
Manufacturer : HUAWEI Technologies
Product : HUAWEI Mobile
IMEI : N/A
Signal : N/A
Click to expand...

So there is your problem. The E272 is detected but it's not connecting. What other settings do you have for WWAN?
 
surfs-up said:
I have several wireless routers here - mostly Linksys. When I bought my E272 modem so I could also have 3G, I went to Incredible Connection and bought their Dovado 3G wireless router - they had a half off special, and I paid around R 1000.00.
It works incredibly well with the E272, and the range of it's wireless access exceeds that of any of my other wireless routers.
The company also appears to be very consumer friendly, with good communication. I get emailed when they have a software update - which I can download free from their website.

Summary....E-272 - one of the best 3G modems out there (if you can get one)
Dovado 3G wireless router - works extremely well with the E-272, easy setup, good range, and excellent backup

PS Neither I, my girlfriend, my dog, or any of my family are associated with Dovado or I.C
Click to expand...

+2 for the Davado
I also had one and found it great and very easy to set up.
My worked fine with a E220, E272 and a MC 950D.
The support from the manufacturer was the best I 've ever experienced.
BTW: I now use a B970 router as it came with an upgrade. Also a great product and simple to set up. ( I have no networking experience.)
 
morkhans said:
So there is your problem. The E272 is detected but it's not connecting. What other settings do you have for WWAN?
Click to expand...

Yes, we need a screenshot of the modem settings, the APN or something else is incorrectly set. Or your data bundle is finished.
 
Settings for WWAN? Nothing that I can find on the Router. Anywhere else I should look?

I dunno if its useful, but below is the Router Status for the LAN:

Router Staus:LAN
You can enable the Broadband routers DHCP server to dynamically allocate IP Addresses to your LAN client PCs. The broadband router must have an IP Address for the Local Area Network.

LAN IP
IP address : 192.168.0.1
IP Subnet Mask : 255.255.255.0
802.1d Spanning Tree : Disabled
DHCP Server : Enabled
Lease time : Forever

DHCP Server
Start IP : 192.168.0.100
End IP : 192.168.0.200
Domain name :
 
AylenS said:
Settings for WWAN? Nothing that I can find on the Router. Anywhere else I should look?
Click to expand...

Have you run through the connection setup wizard again? The problem is your 3G (WWAN) config on the router, not the PC, not the LAN.
 
When I first configured the 3G part, I used the UK settings, which gave me the config I've shown you earlier. I've just had a look at the Manual config, and it asks for things that were presumably pre-configured under the UK setup. The Manual setup screeen is listed below. I've a feeling I should just set this up correctly rather than trying to shortcut the process by using the UK setting - do you agree?!

Manual Config (For countries not on the standard list)

Please, enter the data which is supplied by your ISP.

Login Methode: Static IP Address (should this be static or dynamic?)

IP address: 172.1.1.1
Subnet Mask : 255.255.0.0
Default Gateway : 172.1.1.254

Primary DNS :
Secundary DNS (Optional) :

This setp requires a Primary DNS before it will save the confi and apply it. Can you tell ne waht it should be?

I can't find any other modem settings within the router config.
 
Do you have the Sitecom Wireless 3G Ready Router WL-326 ?

The manual http://www.sitecom.com/download/4418/WL-326-Full-Manual.pdf doesn't seem to specify how to set up 3G modem access. I wonder if this router has proper 3G USB modem support ? It says that it is 3G ready, not that it already supports it.

Maybe you need a firmware upgrade, or return the product and get the Dovado or Netgear MBR624GU products, both of those work well and are easy to set up.
 
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