Archer C20 not compatible with Singtel Fibre modem (Optical Network Terminal)

This thread has been locked for further replies. You can start a new thread to share your ideas or ask questions.

Archer C20 not compatible with Singtel Fibre modem (Optical Network Terminal)

This thread has been locked for further replies. You can start a new thread to share your ideas or ask questions.
Archer C20 not compatible with Singtel Fibre modem (Optical Network Terminal)
Archer C20 not compatible with Singtel Fibre modem (Optical Network Terminal)
2015-08-14 15:56:14
Model :

Hardware Version : Not Clear

Firmware Version :

ISP :

Hi, I have tried in vain for the past 3 nights to configure a newly purchased C20 (Dual Band wireless router) to my Singtel Fibre modem at home.

It just simply cannot syn and get a Dynamic IP address from the SingTel modem (ONT). The old trusty but weak Aztech dual band wireless modem managed to do so.

When I enable Dynamic IP address, the C20 cannot get a IP address from the Singtel ONT. The Internet LED is orange.
When I try to detect the WAN connection method, the C20 tells me it is a static IP. So, I checked the old Aztech and copied the static IP for the ONT, I just try my luck and input into the C20 WAN configuration. The LED goes Blue, but when I connect clients wirelessly to the C20, they cannot surf the internet.

I called TPLINK and SingTel tech support to ask for help, but both are not helpful. SingTel tech support keeps insisting their modems ONT are configured to DHCP (Dynamic IP). TPLINK tech support is not helpful either, and the same issue persists after upgrading to the latest firmware.

I did I test by connecting the old Aztech dual band wireless AP to use the ONT as the WAN connection, and connect the C20 to the LAN port of the Aztech. Since Aztech has no problem with the ONT in the first place, I can test if the C20 WAN port is working or not. Interestingly this works. Basically, the Aztech is talking to the ONT, and the LAN port can connect with the C20's WAN port, like sort of a bridge. The C20 got a LAN IP address from the Aztech, while my wireless devices connect to the C20 to surf the internet. Even though this "works", the performance of the network drops to about 75-90MBps when speedtest is run on the wireless devices. I guess considering the C20 has a WAN that support only up to 100Mbps raw speed this is okay, but I don't want to waste electricity and generating heat from both the Aztech and the C20.

So, I had the theory the reason why the C20 is not working is maybe the 100Mbps WAN port of the C20 cannot talk to the SingTel ONT's LAN1 port which I guess may not auto-negotiate between 1000Mbps and 100Mbps. I was thinking to buy a 4port Gigabit switch that can auto-negotiate. I tried to find TPLINK at Sim Lim Square, but seems noone there is selling TPLINK.

So, I called the TPLINK distributor who suggested to talk to the sales promoter at Challenger Funan Digital Mall. I was hesitant to waste my time, but I went this afternoon. Loo and behold, they seem to be more knowledgeable than the tech support from both companies. Basically, he said the 4-port gigabit switch wont solve my problem because it is not due to the 1000Mbps and 100Mbps port negotiation problem.

So, the information the Challenger people gave me is that Singtel ONT uses VLAN tagging. Only 2 modems support Singtel fibre connections (surprise!) but obviously the C20 is not one of the models. The more expensive AC1750 and the N300 does.

So, I try my luck to call SingTel tech support to ask if they can disable VLAN tagging for my fibre. SingTel tech guy confirm no VLAN is tagged on my digital fiber line and it is also running DHCP. So, he offered to reset the connect.

I will go home to try it, but this is like the 10th time I am doing it, I don't expect any different result (meaning the orange LED will show on the C20 when I connect the WAN port to the SingTel ONT). But I am hopeful for a slim chance the reset may work.

If any administrator knows the real solution for connecting to the SingTel Fiber service please reply.

MEANWHILE PLEASE NOTE THAT MOST TPLINK MODELS WILL NOT WORK WITH SINGTEL FIBRE!
  0      
  0      
#1
Options
1 Reply
Re:Archer C20 not compatible with Singtel Fibre modem (Optical Network Terminal)
2015-08-14 17:05:46
What a long post...lol...
It seems that you haven't tried to connect the fibre modem directly to your PC bypassing any router. You may try if it works.
If it doesn't work, I'm afraid that what Challenger people said is true. You have to replace Archer C20 with a differenet model.
As I know, some TP-LINK models like Archer C7/Archer C5, TL-WR1043ND etc. works with VLAN tagging because there are some customized software to support it. However, Archer C20 has no such a firmware...
Out of curiosity, did you buy the C20 from a local store in SG? :)
  0  
  0  
#2
Options