Hey ASUSmy,

Is it possible to connect a network hub or switch to one of the LAN ports of an RT-N16?

Thanks in advance for the answer.

Hi ASUSmy,

I am not sure; I still want to use RT-N16 as a router; am just wondering whether I can connect a hub to it so that I can have more than 4 wired LAN ports (say 3 PCs, 1 VOIP ATA, 1 Astro STB + 1 NAS all wired up to the RT-N16 by connecting a network hub to LAN2 or something).

Hi ASUSmy,

Currently for Maxis Fibre, but maybe change to UniFi after contract period.

It's just that I have a lot of devices to connect up via wired LAN, so I want to know whether it is possible to have more wired connections if I hook up a network switch/hub to the RT-N16.

There is a workaround for everyone who wants to use ASUS (or in fact any other brand) routers for Internet access with Maxis Fibre + ASTRO IPTV.

1. Unfortunately, in order for ASTRO services to remain working 100%, you HAVE to use the Maxis-supplied router as well. There is no way around this currently.

2. Set up the ASUS router normally, but when it comes to WAN connection, you must select Automatic IP. The IPTV settings have to be turned OFF (i.e. no VLAN tagging).

3. Connect any of the Maxis router LAN ports to ASUS router's WAN port.

4. Set the DMZ of the Maxis router to the ASUS router's WAN MAC address.

5. ASTRO IPTV and VOIP services remain directly connected to Maxis router. I use 3rd-party VOIP, so I connect to ASUS but I think Maxis VOIP have to use Maxis router.

6. Turn off Maxis router wireless. You will still be able to access Maxis router settings.

Internet connection is more or less rock-solid; every now and then have to reboot ASUS router to get new IP. The ASUS router can override the Maxis router's DNS server settings, so make sure you configure ASUS router's DNS settings.

Please note that ASTRO IPTV using Maxis FTTH is an exercise in patience and ultimately futility at the present moment.

I still haven't figured out how to make the ASUS RT-N16 recognise an IP reset (which Maxis does every 48 hours for some unknown reason) without resetting it or unplugging the LAN cable, when plugged into the Technicolor router, which I have done.

Very glad to hear it!

Would you happen to be using Automatic IP and using the ASUS router address as the Maxis router's DMZ? I am, and every 2 days without fail my Internet will die because Maxis resets the public IP address and my ASUS router doesn't realise it's been reset.

If you're using the ASUS router in place of the Maxis router and ASTRO IPTV works perfectly, I would greatly appreciate your settings, so that I can throw away the POS Technicolor router.

Dear ASUSmy;

Just checking to see whether any ASUS routers are vulnerable to the Shellshock bug that affects all UNIX and Linux systems with bash? If so, what are the workarounds until new firmware release?

Dear ASUSmy;

Awesome! Thanks!

All this can be done from the Web management UI (best if you had a wired connection).

Go to Administration|Restore/Save/Upload Setting|Restore (basically, to factory default). After router reboots, you will be asked to configure some basic stuff (no problems there). Then, go back to Administration|Firmware Upgrade and then upgrade it from the firmware image that you downloaded (you did download the firmware image, right?).

I find it best, if you have seriously configured the heck out of your router, to go through every page and manually jot down ALL the settings. That way, after the firmware upgrade, you can put it all back.