Netcomm NF18Mesh

Ka pai! You’ve chosen to use your own router, which is great — it helps reduce e-waste and is better for the environment. Because this is a BYO router, we won’t be able to provide hands-on support for setup, as there are too many different models on the market. That said, we’ve put together this guide to help you get connected. If you run into any issues, we recommend contacting the retailer or manufacturer for support. Alternatively, if you’d like to use one of our Zeronet routers, get in touch with our team and we’ll happily organise that for you.
 

1. Connect Your Router to the ONT

Use an Ethernet cable to connect the WAN port of your Netcomm NF18Mesh router to the first port (LAN1 or GE1) on your Optical Network Terminal (ONT). Sometimes the second port may be used instead — check your Zeronet welcome email for which port to use. Ensure the router is powered on and that your computer or smartphone is connected via Wi‑Fi or a LAN cable.

2. Access the Router’s Admin Panel

Open a web browser on a connected device and enter 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.20.1 into the address bar. Log in with the default credentials:
Username: admin
Password: admin (or check the router label for defaults).
If you have changed the credentials and cannot remember them, proceed to Step 8 to reset the router.

3. Setup via the Quick Start Wizard

Once logged in, the Quick Start Wizard will guide you through setting up your internet connection:

• Navigate to Basic Setup > WAN Setup.
• Set the WAN Connection Type to Ethernet WAN (IPoE).
• Click Next.

• Enable VLAN tagging and set VLAN ID to 10 and Priority to 0.

• Set IPoE to “Obtain an IP address automatically” and click Next.

• Click Apply/Save to confirm the settings.

4. Manual WAN and VLAN Setup

If you prefer manual configuration:

• Go to Advanced Setup > WAN Service.
• Click Add to create a new WAN service.

• Set the interface to your Ethernet port (e.g., eth4/eth4).

• Set the WAN Service Type to IP over Ethernet.
• Enter a Service Description (e.g., ETH WAN).
• Enable 802.1Q VLAN tagging and set 802.1Q to 10 and 802.1P to 0.
• Select IPv4 Only for the Network Protocol.

• Set WAN IP to “Obtain automatically.”

• Enable NAT and Firewall, then click Next.

• Set DNS Server interface to your WAN interface and click Apply/Save.

5. Save the Configuration

After completing DHCP and VLAN settings, click Apply/Save to store changes. The router may restart — wait a few minutes for it to complete.

6. Verify the Internet Connection

Once the router restarts, check the WAN/Internet LED — it should be solid green. On a connected device, try opening a website to confirm the connection is active.

7. Troubleshooting

If the internet is not working:

• Restart both the ONT and the router by unplugging them for 30 seconds, then plug them back in.
• Double-check VLAN and DHCP settings in the router’s configuration.
• Ensure the Ethernet cable is securely connected to the correct ports (first port on the ONT and the WAN port on the router).

8. Reset the Router (if Required)

If you cannot access the router due to forgotten credentials or misconfiguration:

• Locate the reset button at the back of the router.
• Press and hold for 10–15 seconds using a pin or paperclip.
• Release when the lights start flashing — the router will reboot to factory settings.
• Log in using the default credentials (admin/admin) and repeat the setup from Step 2.