Losing internet every 10 days or so with Telus ISP and RT-AX86U (Merlin 3004.388.8_4)

[tallytr]

Losing internet every 10 days or so with Telus ISP and RT-AX86U (Merlin 3004.388.8_4)

Don't think it has anything to do with my ISP (Telus Fibre) with Network Access Hub - Arcadyan NH20A in Bridge mode.
I simply can't reach any websites anymore, no errors on router LOG, all devices still connected to the router and I can access the router interface via LAN...
I think it is the modem (in bridge mode) changing the IP address and the router staying on the previous public WAN IP.... so I am wondering what
changes I would need to do on the router, maybe setting up from scratch?
After a router reboot everything works again...

 

[OzarkEdge]

If it use to work and now doesn't work, maybe they pushed a firmware update to it... maybe you need to reset it (and login to put it into bridge mode again).

Got this random idea after reading this post:

Telus Pure Fiber in Bridge mode with modem NH20A

Hello I have a new setup and need to get the NH20A modem to bridge mode. I have talke to Telus and the steps they told me make no sence normaly there is a setting you can change the modem to bridge mode but I do not see it. The steps from Telus was plug in a switch to the spf port and bypass the...

forum.telus.com

OE

 

[tallytr]

If it use to work and now doesn't work, maybe they pushed a firmware update to it... maybe you need to reset it (and login to put it into bridge mode again).

Got this random idea after reading this post:

Telus Pure Fiber in Bridge mode with modem NH20A

Hello I have a new setup and need to get the NH20A modem to bridge mode. I have talke to Telus and the steps they told me make no sence normaly there is a setting you can change the modem to bridge mode but I do not see it. The steps from Telus was plug in a switch to the spf port and bypass the...

forum.telus.com

OE

I may try that but it is in bridge mode. I use the 10G port as bridged port, the other ports still work and I can use 192.168.1.254 to access the modem interface what is neat, so no modem reset needed to access the interface...

 

[OzarkEdge]

I may try that but it is in bridge mode. I use the 10G port as bridged port, the other ports still work and I can use 192.168.1.254 to access the modem interface what is neat, so no modem reset needed to access the interface...

The goal is the reset. Then you may need to put it back in bridge mode.

Did it use to work??

OE

 

[ApexRon]

I think it is the modem (in bridge mode) changing the IP address and the router staying on the previous public WAN IP.

I have to agree. Make a note of what the WAN address is currently and then see what it is after your reboot the router because it hung.

I am curious, why bridge mode?

 

[tallytr]

I have to agree. Make a note of what the WAN address is currently and then see what it is after your reboot the router because it hung.

I am curious, why bridge mode?

Using RT-AX86U as router, the ISP (Telus) Network Access Hub I only use as a modem, therefore bridge mode.
I used to set the 10G port as the bridged port but now switched to LAN port 1 as bridged 1G port (on 1G plan so makes no speed difference)…
Not thinking its a modem issue since the router worked totally fine again after a reboot…

 

[tallytr]

The goal is the reset. Then you may need to put it back in bridge mode.

Did it use to work??

OE

Reset fibre modem, put in bridge mode again using LAN Port 1.
I only switched to the new ISP (Telus) fibre internet a couple months ago, before had Shaw (Rogers) cable internet…
Not 100% sure but thinking I had weekly issues where the router rebooted automatically (got emails saying the NAS lost connection…) but yesterday was the first time where I had manually reboot the router to get internet…
Router almost 4 years old and haven’t factory restored for more than a year, its working now but should it give issues I’ll factory reset…

 

[ApexRon]

Losing internet every 10 days or so with Telus ISP and RT-AX86U (Merlin 3004.388.8_4)

Don't think it has anything to do with my ISP (Telus Fibre) with Network Access Hub - Arcadyan NH20A in Bridge mode.
I simply can't reach any websites anymore, no errors on router LOG, all devices still connected to the router and I can access the router interface...
I think it is the modem (in bridge mode) changing the IP address and the router staying on the previous public WAN IP.... so I am wondering what
changes I would need to do on the router, maybe setting up from scratch?
After a router reboot everything works again...

Many years ago I used to have this issue with an RT-AC86U and an AT&T vDSL modem/router in Bridge Mode. My solution at the time was to set the mode/router to router mode. Doing so resolved the issue though I was using two layers of NAT.

---> Let me suggest that you change your Arcadyan NH20A to Router Mode for a period of time, two weeks or more. Until you are satisfied enough time has passed that the issue should have occurred. I believe it will work even though you will have two layers of NAT.

---> Another thing to try is when this happens unplug the Ethernet cable to the Arcadyan NH20A, turn around twice, and plug back in. You could also power cycle Arcadyan NH20A but that may be more difficult depending on how it's installed.

If my suggestion works then what's broke? First let me explain what I believe is happening with Arcadyan NH20A in Bridge Mode: Your ASUS RT-AX86U router queries Telus for an IP address using DHCP and is assigned an IP address and another query will not occur until the lease time expires. Telus like most ISP will periodically do stuff in their network and in so doing may shuffle the who gets what IP address. However, when this happens nothing physically changes on Arcadyan NH20A Ethernet port to your router. The router never sees the WAN link drop and still tries to use its original IP address though the Telus network is now ignoring.

Today, I have an ASUS RT-AX86U Pro and a cable modem (Bridge Mode). My cable ISP also periodically does stuff in their network but I have never had your issue. For me, because of the way their cable technology works, my cable modem channel equalization will deteriorate (usually due to weather changes), slowing the network speed. All I do is reboot the cable modem and everything is better.

 

[tallytr]

Many years ago I used to have this issue with an RT-AC86U and an AT&T vDSL modem/router in Bridge Mode. My solution at the time was to set the mode/router to router mode. Doing so resolved the issue though I was using two layers of NAT.

---> Let me suggest that you change your Arcadyan NH20A to Router Mode for a period of time, two weeks or more. Until you are satisfied enough time has passed that the issue should have occurred. I believe it will work even though you will have two layers of NAT.

---> Another thing to try is when this happens unplug the Ethernet cable to the Arcadyan NH20A, turn around twice, and plug back in. You could also power cycle Arcadyan NH20A but that may be more difficult depending on how it's installed.

If my suggestion works then what's broke? First let me explain what I believe is happening with Arcadyan NH20A in Bridge Mode: Your ASUS RT-AX86U router queries Telus for an IP address using DHCP and is assigned an IP address and another query will not occur until the lease time expires. Telus like most ISP will periodically do stuff in their network and in so doing may shuffle the who gets what IP address. However, when this happens nothing physically changes on Arcadyan NH20A Ethernet port to your router. The router never sees the WAN link drop and still tries to use its original IP address though the Telus network is now ignoring.

Today, I have an ASUS RT-AX86U Pro and a cable modem (Bridge Mode). My cable ISP also periodically does stuff in their network but I have never had your issue. For me, because of the way their cable technology works, my cable modem channel equalization will deteriorate (usually due to weather changes), slowing the network speed. All I do is reboot the cable modem and everything is better.

To be honest, I still prefer the modem in bridge mode as I always had, and not having had any issues in the past, otherwise as Google Search suggests:
"Essentially creating a network with two active routers, which can lead to network conflicts, poor performance, and potential connectivity issues due to double NAT (Network Address Translation)"

 

[Tech9]

"Essentially creating a network with two active routers, which can lead to network conflicts, poor performance, and potential connectivity issues due to double NAT (Network Address Translation)"

None of this is actually happening unless you have very specific use case relying on UPnP configuration. Instead of fighting with often reported WAN issues on Asus routers you can just use your ISP provided device for managing the WAN connection and your Asus router behind it for managing your LAN. Very common configuration for people with no true bridge mode on their ISP devices and experiencing WAN issues.

Not thinking its a modem issue

Most likely compatibility issue between the ISP device and your Asus router and you can't get support from the ISP for your own equipment. If the device they provided to you is working properly - your own equipment is the issue and you're on your own with it.

 

[ApexRon]

To be honest, I still prefer the modem in bridge mode as I always had, and not having had any issues in the past, otherwise as Google Search suggests:
"Essentially creating a network with two active routers, which can lead to network conflicts, poor performance, and potential connectivity issues due to double NAT (Network Address Translation)"

Not asking for a permanent change. Just long enough to prove or disprove my theory. Once you make the change to Router Mode you can run SpeedTest to actually gauge the performance impact.

 

[tallytr]

None of this is actually happening unless you have very specific use case relying on UPnP configuration. Instead of fighting with often reported WAN issues on Asus routers you can just use your ISP provided device for managing the WAN connection and your Asus router behind it for managing your LAN. Very common configuration for people with no true bridge mode on their ISP devices and experiencing WAN issues.



Most likely compatibility issue between the ISP device and your Asus router and you can't get support from the ISP for your own equipment. If the device they provided to you is working properly - your own equipment is the issue and you're on your own with it.

I have UPnP turned off anyway on my router so there shouldn’t be an issue I guess…

 

[tallytr]

Also noted that the modem IP is xxx.x.xx.41 while on my Asus router the WAN IP shows as xxx.x.xx.156 right now, all the x are the same, curious why 2 different WAN IP’s but maybe I am reading this wrong…

 

[Tech9]

I have UPnP turned off anyway

In this case you just need to port forward your eventual Internet facing services on the ISP device and you're good to go. The performance impact is going to be so small that you have to have special equipment to measure the eventual differences. No difference in user experience.

 

[tallytr]

In this case you just need to port forward your eventual Internet facing services on the ISP device and you're good to go. The performance impact is going to be so small that you have to have special equipment to measure the eventual differences. No difference in user experience.

Got it, I'll have to check into that for our home security system and VoIP Cisco box for the phone...
I'd still prefer to let the Asus router handle this, not having 2 devices to deal with, I'll check how long before I experience a disconnect, then will factory reset the router first, then "play" with the modem in router mode as you suggested.
For sure never had an issue with my previous ISP for many years...

 

[Tech9]

home security system and VoIP Cisco box

Most likely both don't need any special attention. You can always start fresh and I see you have preconfigured APs (in your signature) so it won't take much time since you don't have to touch anything Wi-Fi and clients related.

 

[tallytr]

Most likely both don't need any special attention. You can always start fresh and I see you have preconfigured APs (in your signature) so it won't take much time since you don't have to touch anything Wi-Fi and clients related.

Yeah, love those wired AP's, rock solid for months..

 

[tallytr]

How about DDNS, using .asuscomm.com, would also need to be set in the ISP router (modem), correct?

 

[Tech9]

How about DDNS, using .asuscomm.com, would also need to be set in the ISP router (modem), correct?

No, Asuswrt has external WAN IP detection. What you use DDNS for?

 

[tallytr]

No, Asuswrt has external WAN IP detection. What you use DDNS for?

Home security, remote access.