Using the Dlink 2750u as a true Ethernet WAN router

  • Thread starter Thread starter Manoj Mathew
  • Start date Start date
  • Replies Replies 288
  • Views Views 327,259
Check D-Link DSL-2750U Deals on: Flipkart | Amazon | Snapdeal | Infibeam

I'd actually already posted on how to use the D-Link 2750u as a full fledged Ethernet WAN router, but it was a few pages deep in a Tikona thread and some users were getting the actual method mixed up with workarounds posted earlier in that thread.

The 2750u is actually capable of both adsl and Ethernet WAN routing. However the Indian firmware only enables the adsl WAN. So one needs to use the Middle East (ME) or Russian (NRU) firmware to enable the Ethernet WAN function (with the ME/Russian firmware one can use adsl, ethernet or 3g WAN). Please check the label under your router to identify the specific hardware version and apply the firmware that corresponds to it. Warning: You may brick your router if you apply the wrong firmware. Presently ME firmware is available for C1 and U1 versions. NRU firmware is available for C1. The NRU firmware has the mac cloning feature so you need not ask your provider to reset the mac lock (if mac lock is present). Here are the links

ME C1 v1.3


ME C1 latest


In the latest firmware, I'm having a problem getting my 3g dongle to work, which is why I've posted both versions. Once the firmware has been changed to the ME type, one can easily switch between versions (of the same hw type) using the software update page and one can choose which version works best for them.

ME U1

6.52 MB file on MEGA (Use 7zip/Winrar etc to extract firmware)

NRU C1


Applying the firmware

The firmware may not be accepted in the normal firmware update mode. Then you'll need to update it in the dlink crash recovery mode using a LAN cable (not wirelessly). Assign a static address on the PC for the ethernet interface in the 192.168.1.x series for eg 192.168.1.5

Switch router off, press the reset button ie insert ballpoint pen in reset hole under the router, keep holding the reset button and turn on the router. Keep holding the reset button for about 12 seconds after you power on the router. Now you'll see that the power led has turned red signifying that the router is in crash recovery mode. When you enter the address 192.168.1.1 on your PC browser, you find the upgrade firmware page. Just browse to the downloaded firmware file and flash!

After the new firmware has been flashed, your internet connection will not start working automatically, you will also need to set up the router correctly. Please do not apply any workarounds mentioned in other threads such as interface grouping, disabling DHCP etc

Instructions for setting up the C1 hw version router with ME firmware

Step 1:
Log into your router and under Advanced setup->Layer2 interface->ETH interface create an Ethernet interface with connection mode as default. Then go to Advanced setup->WAN Service and add service for eth0/LAN4.

Step2: If you have an internet connection with pppoe dialing such as pacenet, Honesty etc, in the next page, choose pppoe and put in username, password and service name in the next page. Also choose to enable NAT. In the next page move eth0 from available to selected gateway interface (if it's not already in selected) and remove ppp0 (if present) from selected, in the next page do the same for DNS and finally apply/save. Do thisonly if you have both eth0 and ppp0 appearing in the setup, else let ppp0 remain in selected.

Step2 (alt): If you have a connection such as Tikona, Reliance metro, cable internet (without pppoe dialer) etc, in the next page choose ip over ethernet, in the next page let the setting remain at Obtain an IP address automatically, in the next page check option to enable NAT, in the next page move eth0 from available to selected gateway interface (if it's not already in selected) and remove ppp0 (if present) from selected, in the next page do the same for DNS and finally apply/save. Do this only if you have both eth0 and ppp0 appearing in the setup, else let ppp0 remain in selected.

Step3: Then in advanced setup - 3g connection select primary uplink as ethernet.

Now connect your internet cable to the LAN port 4 of the router and you should be able to connect through any device connected through wifi or any of the other LAN ports. If you have a connection with a browser login such as Reliance metro or Tikona, the login page will show up only on the first device that you connect in each session. After you have logged in on any device, all other devices will have internet connectivity without going through the login page.

Instructions for setting up the U1 hw version router

In Internet setup, set WAN access type to Ethernet and in protocol, choose dynamic ip for connection such as Tikona, Reliance metro, cable broadband (without pppoe dialer) etc and choose pppoe if you have a pppoe dialer based connection such as pacenet, honesty net solutions etc. When setting up the internet connection, vlan id must not be given any value other than 0.

Instructions for setting up the C1 hw version router with NRU firmware (Port 1 is WAN port)

After you flash the interface will appear in Russian. Click on the rightmost dropdown at the top of the page and choose English to change the interface language.

Click on Advanced Settings at the bottom
Click on Interface Grouping in the Advanced section. Right click on the LAN icon on the right and click on setup speed and stream. There's some quirk in the interface and it's a little tricky getting this click right. Set duplex and speed to auto and save. Again hover mouse over LAN graphic and click on Make WAN. With the default option of 'Single service...' click save. Go back to the advanced settings screen. In the Net section click on WAN and add a connection. Choose connection type accordingly and choose LAN as the interface. Change MAC if required (if provider uses mac lock), (mac cloning doesn't seem to work) put in other details as needed (make sure NAT stays enabled) and click save. Internet cable goes into port 1 and not port 4 as in the case of the ME firmware
If your provider uses a mac id lock, plug in the internet cable in port 4 (port 1 for Russian fw) after completing the setup and ask him to register the new mac in his database.
Any users seeking help on this thread, please provide all relevant details (provider, type of connection) and screenshots (info and setup). Also please make absolutely sure that it's not a mac lock issue, as many users are needlessly seeking help on the forum without having got a proper mac reset from their provider.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
First you'll need to confirm absence of mac id lock. For that connect the internet cable to another PC/laptop or mobile device with the same ip settings as provided and see if the internet is working. If it does then there is no mac locking else there is. If mac lock is present connect cable to port 4 of the router and ask them to reset the mac lock.
Secondly after setting up the connection on the router, I hope you're setting the PC/device ip address and dns to be obtained automatically. You must not duplicate the ip settings required by the provider again on the PC.
Also you could try using dynamic ip protocol setting on the router also, as it is not a public ip that they've provided, it's just a private one.
If all of the above has been sorted out/tried and internet still doesn't work, please provide screenshot of 'status' in router settings.
 
Suggestion: You need to put the wire into port 4 and then ask for a mac reset.Action : As per your suggestion, I connected the incoming RJ-45 connector in the LAN4 and requested the service provider to do a MAC reset. Then……WOW….it just worked fine.
Suggestion: If there is a mac lock and if the registered mac at your provider end is correctly reset to the router's mac, when you put the internet cable into port 1 and try pppoe with your PC it won't connect, it will only connect from within the router with wire in port 4.Action: You are absolutely correct.
Thanks for the support.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Thanks, the new firmware gives me flexibility for using 2750u as true router, but speed is limited to 0.7Mbps
Whereas if I directly connect the cable to my pc I get ~20Mbps
I have checked it multiple times and results are consistent.
I have tried both wireless and lan connection to router.
However if I connect the ISP LAN cable directly to my PC it gives ~20Mbps.
ISP is ACT.
Testcase: speed test using speedtest.net
Can you please let me know if it can be fixed? I used following firmware
ME U1
link-removed.com - DSL-2750U U1 FW ME_1.09 (GAN9.9T113A-B-DL-DSL2750U-R5B0019-Dubai.EN_2T2R).img

Thanks!
 
Last edited by a moderator:
I'm seeing that users are not posting all relevant details when seeking help. Please mention the provider and the test scenarios. Did you try using both LAN and wifi connections for testing the speed? Can you use another PC (other than your primary one) and get the same high speed when cable is directly connected to it?
edit:
ok I can see ACT is the provider. What protocol did you use? Is there a mac lock?
edit2:
Here are some pending questions after your edit. Which protocol did you use? Do they use mac lock?
Use another PC/laptop (other than primary one) and check speed. Please answer in a new post.
edit3: Also try using both dynamic ip (with browser login) and pppoe protocol modes as it's supposed to work in both modes, keep service name blank in pppoe mode
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Manoj,
Thanks for this great guide! Helped me to setup Ethernet-WAN with my new Hathway connection! I have a question, does the Primary/Backup uplink of Ethernet/ADSL work well?
 
Dmanbbf said:
Manoj,
Thanks for this great guide! Helped me to setup Ethernet-WAN with my new Hathway connection! I have a question, does the Primary/Backup uplink of Ethernet/ADSL work well?
I haven't tried the auto failover option myself (can't check now as presently I have just one connection) but I think it should work alright. You'll need to enable the fallback option and specify an address which the router will ping to test the connection. Some things to note though
It will increase router load
It will consume more bandwidth
When the primary link is up again, I don't think it will switch back to it automatically without a reboot.
If someone has actually used this option please do let us know.
 
Have added Russian firmware link for hw C1 with instructions in the first post. This has mac cloning feature.
A little buggy with 3g dongle connections.
 
The interface is quite slick! However as regards to performance I cannot really say as I presently don't have a DSL or ethernet connection to check. For 3g it's about the same as the ME 1.3 version.
 
Just tried it! I think if you're on the ME firmware, you need to go through the crash recovery procedure. Unfortunately I wasn't able to get my Ethernet connection working through sheer laziness lol... so am back on the ME firmware. Interface was really amazing though: the search feature is nifty.
 
Yes, for switching firmware between regions one needs to go through the crash recovery procedure. I'd put the ewan instructions for the NRU firmware at the bottom of the first post, did you have a look at it?
 
Yes I did but sometimes my Hathway modem needs multiple reboots before it will work .... was too lazy for that lol. Anyway thanks for the instructions & the brilliant firmware again.
 

Top