Set up an Edimax router with a cable modem using DHCP
An Edimax router connected to a cable modem that uses DHCP is normally a straightforward two-device setup: the modem handles the ISP connection, and the Edimax supplies the local Wi-Fi and Ethernet network. The modem may receive a public address, while the router receives a private address from it. That arrangement is common in Australian homes, including some cable or hybrid fibre coaxial (HFC) NBN services, although FTTP installations use fibre and may not need a separate cable modem.
First identify which box is the broadband gateway and which is the Wi-Fi router. These units are often called the NBN box or modem, even when the ISP provides two separate devices. Then connect the modem to the Edimax WAN port, open the router’s local setup page, and leave the WAN connection set to DHCP unless your internet provider has supplied different instructions. The addresses and menu names vary between Edimax models, so checking the label and manual before changing anything helps prevent avoidable lockouts.
Understand what DHCP changes
DHCP, or dynamic host configuration protocol, lets a device request an IP address, gateway, and DNS information instead of requiring those details to be typed in. A cable modem normally obtains its own address from the ISP over the coax or network connection. Its Ethernet side then runs a private network, and the Edimax asks that modem for a second address when the WAN setting is DHCP. The Edimax can then create another private network for phones, laptops, TVs, and other devices.
This commonly creates two network layers. For example, the modem might use 192.168.1.1, the Edimax WAN might receive 192.168.1.10, and a laptop connected to Edimax might receive 192.168.2.20. This is often called double NAT. It is not a fault for ordinary browsing, streaming, and video calls, but it can make port forwarding, gaming, VPN, or remote-access arrangements harder. Seeing a 192.168.x.x address on the Edimax WAN is therefore not proof that DHCP has failed.
Australian providers such as Telstra, Optus, Vodafone, and iiNet may supply a modem in router mode, while others offer bridge mode or IP passthrough. In bridge mode, the modem passes the ISP connection to the Edimax, and the router may receive an ISP-side address directly. Provisioning or MAC registration may be required, and the modem’s management page can become unavailable. Check the provider’s app or instructions before selecting that arrangement; do not reset a supplied NBN box or modem as a troubleshooting shortcut.
Cable the modem and Edimax correctly
Start with the cable modem in its normal position near the coax outlet or the ISP’s connection point. Power it on and allow the online or sync lights to settle before expecting the Edimax to receive a DHCP lease. An HFC NBN service may involve an NBN connection box and an ISP modem, while a cable service may connect the modem directly. FTTP uses an optical network terminal and Ethernet rather than the coax arrangement described here.
Run an Ethernet lead from a suitable LAN or Ethernet port on the modem to the Edimax port marked WAN, Internet, or WAN1. Do not use an arbitrary LAN port on the Edimax for the first cable, because the two devices would then be on the wrong side of their networks. Connect a laptop to an Edimax LAN port during setup, or use the temporary Wi-Fi details printed on the router. If the modem has several Ethernet ports, follow the provider’s label; a bridge or IP-passthrough port may be specified.
Australian flats and terraces often have several wall plates, and a data outlet may belong to a building-wide network rather than the home’s internet service. In a rental or apartment, the building manager or ISP can confirm which socket is active before a lead is moved. Keep the boxes ventilated, avoid stacking them in a closed cupboard, and use the supplied power adapters with an Australian mains outlet. A standard Cat5e or Cat6 Ethernet lead is suitable for a normal home run.
Open the Edimax setup page
The Edimax management page is the router’s own LAN address, not the cable modem’s gateway address. Common defaults include 192.168.2.1 and 192.168.1.1, but the exact value depends on the model and firmware. Check the label on the underside, the quick-start guide, or the Edimax support page for that model. With a computer connected directly to the router, enter the address in a browser using http:// unless the manual specifically says to use another protocol.
Older Edimax units commonly sign in with admin and admin; newer models may use a password printed on the label or a password created during setup. Credentials for the ISP modem do not automatically apply to Edimax. If the default login fails, check the address being typed and try another browser or a direct Ethernet connection. If the password has genuinely been changed and cannot be recovered, use the model’s documented reset process, understanding that it will erase local settings and usually return the wireless network to its factory details.
On the first setup screen, choose the correct language and Australian time zone. Australia has several time zones, so select the city where the router is located—such as Sydney, Melbourne, or Perth—rather than applying one time zone to the whole country. Set the country to Australia or AU when offered, keep the regulatory wireless setting correct, and change the administrator password. Firmware can be checked after the connection works, using the official Edimax model page and a stable wired connection if possible.
Set the internet connection and Wi-Fi
On the Internet, WAN, or WAN Connection page, select DHCP client, dynamic IP, or an equivalent automatic option. Do not choose PPPoE, static IP, a special VLAN setting, or a manually entered DNS address unless the ISP has explicitly supplied those details. Save the setting and allow the router to reconnect. The WAN status should show an IPv4 address, a gateway, and DNS servers; an address such as 169.254.x.x or 0.0.0.0 usually indicates that no lease was obtained.
If the modem itself is offline, the Edimax cannot fix the upstream service. Check the coax or ISP connection, wait for the modem’s online light, and use the provider’s activation app if required. If the modem is online but the Edimax has no WAN address, check that the lead is in the Edimax WAN socket and that DHCP is selected. A brief modem power cycle can renew a lease, but a factory reset may remove calibration or registration details, especially on an ISP-provided NBN device.
For Wi-Fi, choose an easy-to-recognise SSID without your full name or address, then use WPA2 or WPA3 with a strong password. The 2.4 GHz band usually travels farther through many Australian brick homes and crowded apartment blocks, while 5 GHz is often faster at close range. Automatic channel selection is convenient; manual 2.4 GHz channels should avoid overlapping neighbours, commonly using channels 1, 6, or 11. If older televisions or sensors struggle with WPA3, use WPA2/WPA3 mixed mode where the router supports it.
A single SSID with band steering is convenient for guests, but separate 2.4 and 5 GHz names can make troubleshooting easier. Place the Edimax where it can see the main rooms rather than beside a TV cabinet, and keep it in the open. Firmware updates and a guest network can be configured after basic access works. An extender can be paired with WPS or configured through its own browser page after the main network works. Place it where it still receives a strong router signal, and disable WPS after pairing if the household does not need it.
Choose router, bridge, or access-point mode
Router mode is the usual starting point. The modem supplies a private network, the Edimax WAN obtains an address through DHCP, and the Edimax creates a second network for local devices. This is a sensible choice when an ISP modem is being supplemented by a dedicated Wi-Fi router and ordinary internet access is the priority. Keep the modem and Edimax LAN networks separate; connecting both boxes LAN-to-LAN can leave you unsure which device is handing out addresses.
Bridge mode is a different arrangement. The modem becomes a pass-through, and the Edimax WAN uses DHCP to speak to the ISP network. It can remove the extra router layer, but the ISP may need to provision the Edimax MAC address, and IPTV or voice services may depend on particular modem ports. Do not move those connections without checking the provider’s Australian installation instructions or app.
Access-point mode makes the Edimax extend the modem’s existing network instead of creating a new one. Follow the manual’s port guidance: commonly the modem LAN lead goes to an Edimax LAN port while AP mode is enabled. The Edimax DHCP server is disabled, its management address is changed to a free static address in the modem’s subnet, and its gateway and DNS point to the modem. For example, with a modem at 192.168.1.1, use 192.168.1.2 for Edimax management unless that address is already taken. This can avoid double NAT, but it is less flexible if the ISP modem has been locked by the provider.
Verify the Australian installation
After saving the settings, check the modem, the Edimax WAN status, and a connected device rather than judging the job only by the Wi-Fi symbol. The following checks cover the usual DHCP path:
The modem shows an online or registered state and its Ethernet or WAN light is active.
The Edimax WAN page shows an IP address, gateway, and DNS values; a 169.254.x.x address usually means the DHCP lease failed.
A phone or laptop receives an address on the Edimax LAN and uses the Edimax address as its gateway.
A web page loads on both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz when both bands are enabled.
Use the labels on the equipment to keep the wiring and menus understandable:
WAN, Internet, or WAN1 on the Edimax is the connection toward the cable modem.
LAN 1 to LAN 4 are the local Ethernet ports for devices such as a desktop or game console.
DHCP client or dynamic IP is the normal automatic WAN setting for this arrangement.
Access point or AP mode disables the Edimax DHCP server and requires a fixed management address.
The practical differences are:
| Arrangement | Cable connection | Edimax setting | Likely result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Router mode | Modem LAN to Edimax WAN | WAN uses DHCP | Separate home network and possible double NAT |
| Bridge mode | Modem bridge port to Edimax WAN | WAN uses DHCP | ISP-side address; modem management may be limited |
| Access-point mode | Modem LAN to Edimax LAN | DHCP off; Edimax uses a free static address | One network and no router-level double NAT |
Write down the modem model, its gateway address, and the Edimax model before changing bridge or AP settings. With those details recorded, the next setup step is to power-cycle the cable modem, wait for its online light, reconnect the WAN lead, and save DHCP on the Edimax WAN page.