[FWA 510] - Unable to use WiFi AP when Cellular IP forwarding is on

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another_customer
another_customer Posts: 2 image  Freshman Member
in Wireless

I've been struggling with this.

I set up a new router to be the main router for my home wifi, while using the Zyxel FWA 510 as the 5G internet modem and as wifi AP.

When I switch on Cellular IP forwarding, to forward the internet traffic from my Zyxel router to the new router, the wifi on the Zyxel stays on, but I cannot connect to my new router using the wifi. Why is this? This is extremely frustrating.

I was expecting the WiFi AP feature to work in parallel. If WiFi AP does not forward any wifi traffic to the new router that's connected to the Zyxel router over a LAN cable, then why is the WiFi AP still on?

How can I get this to work?

All Replies

  • PeterUK
    PeterUK Posts: 4,228 image  Guru Member
    250 Answers 2500 Comments Friend Collector Eighth Anniversary
    edited September 30

    You can't get this to work by the way its done be it hardware limitation or firmware if the way you way hoping was FWA 510 to WAN port of Zyxel router their would be problems like if FWA 510 LAN with DHCP is enabled clients will go to it not your Zyxel router but could clients use the IP pass through and NAT out? yes if this is not a hardware limitation could be done.

    But what if you disable DHCP LAN on FWA 510 with a Virtual interface of the LAN on Zyxel router that clients set as their gateway? again does not work.

    What if the AP goes out the other LAN port of the FWA 510 to connect to your LAN side of Zyxel router? again can't do this be it hardware limitation or firmware.

    The only use having wifi on when in IP pass through is on is to login the FWA 510 at this time.

  • Zyxel_Tina
    Zyxel_Tina Posts: 402 image  Zyxel Employee
    Zyxel Certified Network Administrator - Security Zyxel Certified Network Administrator - Switch 50 Answers First Comment

    Hi @another_customer,

    When Cellular IP forwarding (also called IP Passthrough mode) is enabled on the FWA510, the device directs all internet traffic to the first connected LAN device. This effectively bypasses the FWA510's NAT function, passing the public IP address directly to your new router.

    In this mode, the FWA510 primarily functions as a modem for the wired connection. While the WiFi AP remains active, devices connected to it will not have internet access because all internet-bound traffic is routed to the LAN port connected to your new router. Therefore, please make sure the FWA510 connects its LAN port to the WAN port of your new router. Your new router will then manage all Wi-Fi and client connections.

    Zyxel Tina

  • PeterUK
    PeterUK Posts: 4,228 image  Guru Member
    250 Answers 2500 Comments Friend Collector Eighth Anniversary

    Technically the way IP Passthrough mode works is like NAT 1:1 but forwards the IP the FWA510 sees and uses to client because how would that Nebula Network usage and connectivity be working if the FWA510 didn't have a IP for it to connect out to Nebula? Really it can work so you can use the wireless in IP Passthrough mode but no one want to do it.

  • Zyxel_Melen
    Zyxel_Melen Posts: 4,134 image  Zyxel Employee
    Zyxel Certified Network Engineer Level 1 - Switch Zyxel Certified Network Administrator - Switch Zyxel Certified Network Administrator - Nebula Zyxel Certified Sales Associate

    Hi @PeterUK

    The IP passthrough will:

    Forward the mobile WAN IP to backend devices for use, while maintaining the mobile router's cloud management channel.

    Therefore, the device can still "have internet connectivity," "can access Nebula," and "be logged in to the local GUI."

    Zyxel Melen


  • PeterUK
    PeterUK Posts: 4,228 image  Guru Member
    250 Answers 2500 Comments Friend Collector Eighth Anniversary
    edited October 9

    Yes Melen but thats my point there is something bigger better you can do with IP Passthrough with fix MAC so you know what device gets the Passthrough IP but at the same time the mobile router in IP passthrough has that same IP so why not SNAT wifi devices on it and forward the passthrough IP at the same time! it should be possible! plus on USG too.

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