4G Router and networking

[ash_scotland88]

I've somehow volunteered myself to set up an internet connection and network for a temporary work site we have.

After doing some test going using the TP Link Mr200 router. Being slow internet each cabin (metal) needs a "hardline" distrobution and knowing that laptops these days barely come with an ethernet port wanting to put a wifi router into each cabin too knowing wifi signal will be weak due to metal walls.

My current questions;
If I was to set a block list on the main 4G router will this block also work on the wifi routers?
The MR200 has individual data usage monitoring, will this only work when connected to that routers wifi signal or will it be able to receive that information across the network?

To try and clarify on second point. I'd like to keep data usage tracking on iphone. Will this only work when connected to MR200 wifi signal or will it also track it when iphone automatically connects to wifi router1? Or will MR200 log it as data usage of wifi router1? I will be using same SSD and password to hopefully create a seamless transfer will moving between cabins and around the site.

 

[BigT]

I have an MR200 and I'm not sure you're going to be too happy with what can be tracked.

Let me play back to you what I think you're doing.

Your MR200 will be the device on site which connects to the 4G mobile network and is expected to handle all routing duties and is the sole connection to the internet. You will then run Ethernet cables from this router to various cabins. then at the end of each ethernet cable in the cabin you will put a device which you've called a 'wifi router' ? What are you intending on using for these roles? What you need I think are actually called wireless access points.

Now assuming it is wireless access points and the configuration I describe is correct then the MR200 won't care where on your network the traffic is coming from that is using the internet, it will log all data in and out of it's SIM card. You can log into its admin web page to see this usage and set limits etc.

Be aware modern devices absolutely suck bandwidth like no tomorrow. A few ipads and a couple of PCs on mine is enough to use 80Gb a month with no real overt downloading. App patches and windows updates in the background consume hundreds of megabytes daily before actually using it for its intended purpose!

 

[ash_scotland88]

yeah, after logging in again yesterday after the post I realised the tracking wasn't how I was remembering it being as complicated/sophisticated.
I was going to use a couple more TP Link routers for access, giving the option of wired and wifi.

Not having much of a data usage tracker is a bit of a bummer, even an over all count that could then fire a warning to an email address would be an ideal compramise situation. Saying that I'm not sure how advanced speedy services data and 4G router was in previous years.

 

[BigT]

If you want to give wired and wifi options in the cabins then don't use routers. Where you bring the ethernet cable into the cabin from the main MR200 put a simple switch to give you your wired options and then something like a Ubiquiti UAP-Lite also into the switch to give the wifi access in the cabin. At least that way you can manage all your access points in the various cabins from one controller (even remotely if you're not on site yourself)