Archer A7 Router and EM7455

Post by **dbshelton** » Thu Oct 07, 2021 5:34 am

I am sure y'all are about sick and tired of me by now but I want to try another project. I have a TPLink Archer A7 router, an EM 7455 from a buddy and got a box thingie that holds the Modem and Sim and converts to USB from Amazon. I downloaded the Golden Orb files to flash the router. May try ATT Sim on this.

Post by **LoveMeSomeCALTE** » Thu Oct 07, 2021 12:22 pm

dbshelton wrote: ↑Thu Oct 07, 2021 5:34 am got a box thingie that holds the Modem and Sim and converts to USB from Amazon

If you mean this: https://i.imgur.com/ExyelEu.jpg

then congratulations - you are on the way to building a very capable set :idea:

Post by **dbshelton** » Thu Oct 07, 2021 12:33 pm

Yes, that one.
Maybe I will get started on this this weekend.
I will probably need some help

Post by **mtl26637** » Thu Oct 07, 2021 1:16 pm

I would be careful with those units. I have a couple but remember when I purchased them there were several people that stated the voltage regulator is extremely underpowered. I also seem to recall finding the datasheet and confirming this and ordered and replaced them. Something to keep in mind anyway.

Post by **LoveMeSomeCALTE** » Thu Oct 07, 2021 2:29 pm

mtl26637 wrote: ↑Thu Oct 07, 2021 1:16 pm the voltage regulator is extremely underpowered

True. I hope the OP got the ones with a "USB C" port. Those have a 1A capable voltage regulator.

In any case, it's an easy mod.

Post by **dbshelton** » Thu Oct 07, 2021 6:10 pm

The one I got has a USB3 port

Post by **dbshelton** » Fri Oct 08, 2021 6:20 am

I guess this is not a Sierra EM7455. It must be some kind of generic knockoff. Never even been used. Is this going to cause me problems? I guess try it like it is and see what happens?

Post by **Adm1jtg** » Fri Oct 08, 2021 9:08 am

dbshelton wrote: ↑Fri Oct 08, 2021 6:20 am I guess this is not a Sierra EM7455. It must be some kind of generic knockoff. Never even been used. Is this going to cause me problems? I guess try it like it is and see what happens?

Take a picture of the label on it or type in anything you see as a model# as the AT commands can be different for each modem.

Post by **dbshelton** » Fri Oct 08, 2021 10:09 am

Adm1jtg wrote: ↑Fri Oct 08, 2021 9:08 am Take a picture of the label on it or type in anything you see as a model# as the AT commands can be different for each modem.

I will do that this weekend. Thanks

Post by **dbshelton** » Fri Oct 08, 2021 5:08 pm

I guess I am an idiot. It does say Sierra on it if that makes any difference. Now if I could only figure out how to post a picture

Post by **dbshelton** » Fri Oct 08, 2021 5:22 pm

Post by **Adm1jtg** » Fri Oct 08, 2021 9:15 pm

Thats a dell branded version. Not sure if they use a custom firmware or not someone in here thats smarter then me might know.

I found this about it but this is well above my "pay level". Hopefully as I said earlier someone else who is smarter then me in here can help. If I am reading it right you have yo change the firmware.

Post by **LoveMeSomeCALTE** » Fri Oct 08, 2021 9:23 pm

Hey you need to blank out your IMEI and UPC/QR codes as the picture is public.

Yeah - this is the cheaper dell branded version.

Post by **dbshelton** » Sat Oct 09, 2021 6:31 am

I installed the modem in the enclosure and hooked up the antennas. plugged it in to a USB on the computer and nothing happens. 2 blue LEDs light up. How do I access from Linux? or do I need to go ahead and flash Golden Orb on my router and plug it it to that USB?

Post by **dbshelton** » Sat Oct 09, 2021 9:46 am

Did all of that and now the modem shows up. No signal to speak of, but i know how to find that.

Post by **dbshelton** » Sat Oct 09, 2021 11:19 am

Well, it worked for a while. Good speeds, no signal or cell info on Rooter. Damn!

Post by **dbshelton** » Sat Oct 09, 2021 3:42 pm

Started working again. No wireless from Rooter router. Still no signal or cell info.
Will not let me type in AT commands.

Post by **dbshelton** » Mon Oct 11, 2021 9:17 am

Tried updating firmware on modem and now get driver error

Post by **Adm1jtg** » Mon Oct 11, 2021 10:44 am

When I had a situtation like yours (wouldnt accept AT commands) in rooter/wifix firmware I ended up having to buy a usb adaptor and "programming" the modem with AT commands from my windows laptop. After I did that it worked properly.

Post by **dbshelton** » Mon Oct 11, 2021 10:46 am

Hard to do getting driver error

Post by **dbshelton** » Mon Oct 11, 2021 10:49 am

Hard to do getting driver error.
Any idea what Rooter's wifi password is? The same one Wifix uses doesn't work.

Post by **Adm1jtg** » Mon Oct 11, 2021 11:27 am

no password

https://ofmodemsandmen.com/configure.html

Post by **dbshelton** » Mon Oct 11, 2021 12:00 pm

I was asking about the Wifi password, not the Router access password. Aren't they different?

Post by **Adm1jtg** » Mon Oct 11, 2021 12:13 pm

When setting up things or troubleshooting its always best to use ethernet. That said I have always just setup the wifi over ethernet so am not sure what the default password would be. Try 12345678

Post by **dbshelton** » Mon Oct 11, 2021 12:17 pm

Yes, just wanted to try it.
That password doesn't work. Thanks anyway

Post by **vrzerk** » Fri Oct 15, 2021 9:19 am

Look at label on bottom of router

Post by **Didneywhorl** » Fri Oct 15, 2021 9:33 am

Rooter2017 or Rooter2019 or something similar.

After the router is fully booted up: Try holding the reset button for 11 seconds then release. The router should reboot with the password reset/cleared.

Post by **dbshelton** » Sat Oct 16, 2021 4:59 pm

I had to replace the modem with another EM7455. The router shows the Sierra modem is connected with ATT sim. Pretty good signal. No internet, won't do anything. Does AT&T have to have the current IMEI for it to work? I can't get any info from them and I can't change it in my account.
It will even do a Speed Test in Rooter with excellent results for my location, but still no internet.

Post by **LoveMeSomeCALTE** » Mon Oct 18, 2021 1:34 pm

dbshelton wrote: ↑Sat Oct 16, 2021 4:59 pm Does AT&T have to have the current IMEI for it to work?

Depends on the AT&T plan. Here is one I created to track the behavior of a plan I'm trying out that DOES have sticky/locked IMEI:

https://wirelessjoint.com/viewtopic.php?f=32&t=2937

Post by **dbshelton** » Tue Oct 19, 2021 5:22 am

If I have to update my IMEI on my AT&T account, would I be better off using the Sierra EM7455 or my Quectel EP06A ?
Which modem will perform better?

Post by **dbshelton** » Tue Oct 19, 2021 7:08 pm

After talking with the girl at AT&T I found out that these accounts do not have to be IMEI locked. We did some testing and figured out that the modem was connected for sure but there is something with the router settings that keeps me from getting internet to the computer.
So, I went back to the Wifix router and EP06 modem and AT&T sim. After a little antenna fine tuning and taking out ttl settings I got connected with internet. Up with pretty good numbers. i hope it stays.

Post by **dbshelton** » Tue Oct 19, 2021 9:45 pm

2 1/2 hours and now nothing.

Post by **Didneywhorl** » Thu Oct 21, 2021 7:29 am

Does resetting the modem get you back connected? If so it sounds like ATT is back to their old crap again.

Post by **dbshelton** » Thu Oct 21, 2021 9:53 am

After an extended phone conversation with AT&T somewhere in this world and testing what she could, she decided that there was something wrong with my Sim card and also some setting on this router that she couldn't diagnose. So After getting a replacement Sim from AT&T yesterday, I went ahead and put it in my NEXR5GO router and EPo6 and after 30 minutes or so, It finally connected. Now I can locate 5 different towers and have a good signal.
Won't work on the Archer A7 but that will be another project.
BTW, the girl said the IMEI doesn't really matter at this point on the 100G for $55 plan.

Post by **dbshelton** » Fri Oct 22, 2021 12:05 pm

Never got the EM7455 working with the Archer router so I plugged it in to a WE826-T2, flashed rooter, set APN and TTL, and this setup works fine with Visible.
I have no idea what I am looking for, but next I will try to see if there is some incorrect setting on the Archer A7 that makes it fail to connect.

Post by **Didneywhorl** » Fri Oct 22, 2021 5:50 pm

I assume it's using the latest image. Maybe ask the rooter team for a fresh updated firmware image?

Post by **dbshelton** » Fri Oct 22, 2021 6:34 pm

Didneywhorl wrote: ↑Fri Oct 22, 2021 5:50 pm I assume it's using the latest image. Maybe ask the rooter team for a fresh updated firmware image?

Yes, they said it is the newest one.
I may be able to compare some of the settings with my WE-826 and see if there are any differences.

Post by **Didneywhorl** » Sat Oct 23, 2021 9:59 am

Might be a matter of reflashing the firmware to the router with no settings saved like 3+ times and see if some goofy arsed setting was sticking through the flash.

Post by **dbshelton** » Sun Oct 24, 2021 5:26 pm

I will give that a try sometime.
Thanks

Post by **dbshelton** » Wed Oct 27, 2021 7:18 pm

Well I tried flashing the firmware and looks like I bricked it. Nothing at all. Can't access, won't reset, only LED that comes on is power. Oh well!

Post by **Didneywhorl** » Thu Oct 28, 2021 11:57 am

dbshelton wrote: ↑Wed Oct 27, 2021 7:18 pm Well I tried flashing the firmware and looks like I bricked it. Nothing at all. Can't access, won't reset, only LED that comes on is power. Oh well!

On the Archer? or the 826?

Post by **dbshelton** » Thu Oct 28, 2021 12:05 pm

The Archer. The 826 is still working fine.

Post by **Didneywhorl** » Thu Oct 28, 2021 12:14 pm

https://openwrt.org/toh/tp-link/archer_ ... her&s[]=a7

Use the TFTP method as a last resort.

I use Windows7 to do it and one of these: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08BN ... UTF8&psc=1

Post by **dbshelton** » Thu Oct 28, 2021 12:58 pm

Wow! Thanks, but I have ne idea what all this is. I have read over this a couple of times and so far that hasn't helped.

Post by **dbshelton** » Wed Nov 17, 2021 6:10 am

Well, none of this worked so the A7 went into the trash. Bought another A7 to try this again.

Post by **dbshelton** » Tue Dec 14, 2021 6:22 am

back on this project. Put Rooter on the new A7 router. Will take to work and see if I can get things going.

Post by **dbshelton** » Tue Dec 14, 2021 9:36 am

Took the Archer A7 router and EM-7455 modem to work so I wouldn't need outside antennas to get a decent signal. T-Mob data sim, Set APN, TTL to 65 and it connected right up. I wish it was always this easy.

Post by **dbshelton** » Tue Dec 14, 2021 8:02 pm

I know the A7 router has gigabyte ethernet ports, but is the WIFI performance better than my WE826 and NEXR5GO??

Post by **dbshelton** » Thu Dec 30, 2021 6:09 am

Now using my Archer A7 router with EM160R-GL modem. Have ATT Unlimited Tablet, ATT 100gb/$55, and T-Mob 50gb/$50 plans. What should TTL be set on each one?

Post by **Didneywhorl** » Thu Dec 30, 2021 9:07 am

ATT doesn't seem to use TTL, but Tmo does on both ipv4 (TTL) AND ipv6 (HL). 65 is my stock setting.

Post by **Rich Hathaway** » Thu Dec 30, 2021 10:36 am

All carriers use TTL, it is part of the system and switch, AT&T most certainly does, here is the difference.
Verizon has their switch setup to deny service when data is being shared meaning no data unless TTL is patched.
AT&T's switch does not deny service based on TTL, instead, they will wait until they decide your usage is to high or any other reason and then
simply terminate your line for breach of terms of service (because you're sharing your data) just like they did with all those
iPad accounts.
Why they don't deny service is speculation, trying to keep subscriber numbers up with the jones's (Verizon & tmo) or perhaps to much involved in trying to implement that into a very old switch and system, who knows, but the fact is time to live is part of wireless and every carrier can see it some just handle it differently than others.
Also FYI the appropriate TTL for AT&T is 64.

Post by **Didneywhorl** » Thu Dec 30, 2021 12:43 pm

Got it, cool thanks!

Post by **dbshelton** » Fri Feb 11, 2022 7:48 pm

I have been using the archer A7 Router with Quectel EM160R-GL modem in a USB3 enclosure and 2-2x2 antennas from Wireless Haven with ATT tablet plan for well over a month now. It lost connection one time several weeks ago and I had to restart it. Been what I would call a rock solid setup.