Azurewave NR 580 connection problems

Rentawreck · 12-08-2008, 19:02

I have an all singing all dancing Azurewave NR 580 (supporting N/G/B radio technologies along with 4 different types of internet connection) which I was assurred would connect to my Virgin Media modem. It has 3 twigs too and looks pretty weird.

I have tried to connect using DHCP (automatic connection)....as suggested by Virgin.s techy staff. After multiple reboots of modem/router/pc in various conbinations I still cannot get a connection.

If I connect my modem's ethernet cable to one of the numbered ports on the router then connect another ethernet cable to a different numbered port on the router I can get a wired connection. This however will not work on the radio (wifi). I even tried to connect the modem to router through the numbered ports then loop the second ethernet cable from a numbered port into the internet port (wan).

I tried to contact the company (twice) for advice/firmware upgrade etc.. but no reply as yet.

Has anyone out there managed to connect one of these things?

Else any ideas at all.

MikeyB · 12-08-2008, 20:52

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rentawreck

If I connect my modem's ethernet cable to one of the numbered ports on the router then connect another ethernet cable to a different numbered port on the router I can get a wired connection.

This doesn't sound right.

Just looking at the quick start guide from the website.
You should connect your VM modem to the "Internet" port on the router. This is also known as the WAN port on other routers.

The 4 numbered ports are for connecting devices.

Mike

Rentawreck · 12-08-2008, 22:04

Hi Mickyb

You are quite right however my difficulty is that when I plug the ethernet cable from the modem into the internet (wan) port I cannot get a connection and the "enet" light on the modem goes out........the router cannot connect in spite of multiple reboots.

As for the LAN connections to the numbered ports on the router.....it works. I get a connection but it is only via ethernet link and the wireless systems do not connect this way. In short I have a LAN connection but no wifi.

MikeyB · 13-08-2008, 12:28

The reason why you can get a wired connection when the modem is plugged into one of the numbered ports is you have created a network and it is basically like you are directly connected to the modem (in simple terms!)

The wireless won't work this way as it is looking for the internet connection on the WAN port only.

Does sound strange the enet light on the modem goes off, don't know if there is some settings for the WAN port on your router, maybe it's on too high a speed for the modem?

Try another Ethernet cable just in case it's a bit "iffy"

Rentawreck · 13-08-2008, 19:47

Thanks Again Mikeyb

Thanks for that. I understand what you say about the direct LAN connection and I have only included this information to firstly let all know that I have wired it this way ( as well as to the internet port) and secondly that this part of the router is functioning correctly because it works.

As for the possibility of faulty ethernet cables, I have used several and all these cables seem to work when I connect my computer directly to my moden (using the same ethernet cables).

The Dude · 18-08-2008, 02:13

Oh dear....I've just bought the same model NR580 fotunately I've not opened the box.
Due to reading this...Er methinks I'll exchange. I bought the router from Maplins & they will exchange no problem, only the choice of routers is limited, so I'll try a Belkin router if the NR580 does not work.
Could u let me know Rentawreck if u managed to sort the router out...Cos I'm hopeless with computers. Goodluck I'll be wrecked as well if the router won't work. All the best Guy

Rentawreck · 18-08-2008, 18:39

Hi there Dude

Yeah take it back and get another make/model.

It says in the hipe that it is for CABLE but I rather think that the notion of cable is akin to our WIRED. Someone should tell Maplin that this router may well be unsuitble for Vigin Cable until a firmware update including our connection is available.

It seems that their cable (Azurewave) connection is through DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol) while our cable (Virgin Media), connects by DSL (Digital Subscriber Line). The two systems are different and don't marry up together.

I did manage to get a wireless connection one day though by looping back to the router itself (described earlier in paragraph 3 of my first entry). Don't go there because the connetion is unstable (connecting to the DHCP in the router) as you cannot get access to the router configuration this way and the router firewall systems are offline. In short it sometimes works but is far from stable, proper or satisfactory.

Hope this is helpful. All should be warned about this router. Avoid it.

The Dude · 18-08-2008, 18:54

Thanks mate I've been looking for the receipt, since I paid for it in cash & so they are trying to find out when exactly I bought the router [my memory is crap] But they did say they'd exchange, so I'll get a different router & will print your reply so they know in future. Plus it will explain why I've not bothered to even open the box lol [not]

All the best Guy

Rentawreck · 18-08-2008, 20:17

Yeah Dude, one other thing I forgot to tell you. I tried to contact the manufacturer for help/advice too. In spite of mlutiple attempts I have received no reply to date.

Maplin or any other supplier should also refuse to sell these routers if customers cannot get an acknowledgement/reply from an online customer service contact system.

This also means that there is no help from this company in spite of boasting an online customer care service.

Stuart · 18-08-2008, 20:34

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rentawreck

It seems that their cable (Azurewave) connection is through DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol) while our cable (Virgin Media), connects by DSL (Digital Subscriber Line). The two systems are different and don't marry up together.

Just to correct a couple of things: DHCP is a method of assigning IPs (essentially an internet address). It is not a delivery mechanism.

Also, Virgin do use DSL (actually the ADSL variant) to deliver broadband via a BT phoneline in areas not on the cable network. The cable network uses it's own technology for internet delivery.

Rentawreck · 18-08-2008, 21:49

Yeah Smart C thanks for that. What I should have said is that I tried to connect to the routers internal DHCP server. However I am not really that good at networking since most of my computing time is home based. The bottom line is that, even with help from Virgin Media technicians, it's a failure.......No go.

I too (long time ago when Virgin Media was NTL....and even before as Cable & Wireless) have connected via phone line on ADSL as cable was unavailable in my area.

I am sure that the Azurewave WILL work on ADSL but with a true (fibre optic) Cable connection I have yet to find anyone who has got theirs connected except myself. However the connection that made was NOT through the proper internet/wan port although for a short time I did have a wireless connection.

If you have an Azurewave 580 then there is no customer support, poor Virgin Media help and it's a no go..............unless you know different of course. After all I am here looking for help not trying to give help/advice.

Stuart · 18-08-2008, 22:59

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rentawreck

Yeah Smart C thanks for that. What I should have said is that I tried to connect to the routers internal DHCP server. However I am not really that good at networking since most of my computing time is home based. The bottom line is that, even with help from Virgin Media technicians, it's a failure.......No go.

I too (long time ago when Virgin Media was NTL....and even before as Cable & Wireless) have connected via phone line on ADSL as cable was unavailable in my area.

Sorry, didn't mean to sound so blunt, it's just various people have said the same thing on here, and (AFAIK) it is incorrect,

Quote:

I am sure that the Azurewave WILL work on ADSL but with a true (fibre optic) Cable connection I have yet to find anyone who has got theirs connected except myself. However the connection that made was NOT through the proper internet/wan port although for a short time I did have a wireless connection.

Hopefully they'll update the firmware.

Quote:

If you have an Azurewave 580 then there is no customer support, poor Virgin Media help and it's a no go..............unless you know different of course. After all I am here looking for help not trying to give help/advice.

It's not really very helpful to say this, but that's one reason I always recommend Linksys routers (particularly the wrt 54g). They are like the Fords of the router world. They are relatively cheap and fairly common, so a lot of tech support agents know them.

The Dude · 18-08-2008, 23:32

It's a shame Maplins don't sell them [Linksys routers] I'm gonna have to exchange for whatever they have in the shop...Wish I could find the receipt, then I'd get a refund an buy a Linksy....Thank y'all for the info The Dude

kpanchev · 19-08-2008, 00:16

You need to select the type of WAN connection - for cable modems it is DHCP - Automatically Set. Guys, read the manual first, it's written there!