Fritzbox 7170 – Setup Fritzbox as AccessPoint

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To allow for extending my WiFi network, I wanted to reuse my old modem. This page describes the setup to convert a Fritzbox 7170 as a WiFi accesspoint.
This procedure is described for Fritzbox 7170, Firmware 58.04.85

  1. Step 1 : Reset Fritzbox 7170 to factory default.
    Tools needed : 1 analog telephone.
    Procedure :
    – Power on the Fritzbox, and wait for it to boot.
    – Connect the analog telephone to extension FON1 at the back of the Fritzbox.
    – Lift the receiver, wait for dailtone and enter #991*15901590*.
    – A confirmation tone is returned, the modem reboots with factory defaults.
  2. Step 2 : Connect computer to Fritzbox.
    Tools needed : 1 computer with ethernet NIC, 1 UTP LAN cable.
    Procedure :
    – Connect the LAN cable between the computer ethernet NIC and Fritzbox LAN1 port.
    – The computer ethernet settings must be configured to DHCP, to allow for a DHCP addres reception from the Fritzbox.
    – When needed, disable the Wifi of your computer.
    – In Windows : Open a commandprompt, CMD.exe, and query for the IP address issued to your computer using the command: IPCONFIG
    – Look for your ethernet adapter settings.

    The following result is shown:

    Ethernet adapter Ethernet:
    Connection-specific DNS Suffix . : fritz.box
    Link-local IPv6 Address . . . . . : fe80::3c58:ec6b:64f9:7fa0%4
    IPv4 Address. . . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.178.20
    Subnet Mask . . . . . . . . . . . : 255.255.255.0
    Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.178.1

    This tells you the Frizbox has IP number 192.168.178.1 (this is the default gateway in the result list)

    – Open a browser session, Internet Explorer, Firefox, Chrome or something else and goto webaddres 192.168.178.1

  3. Step 3 : Configure Country setting.
    Procedure :
    – Connect the webbrowser to http://192.168.178.1
    – Choose the Country you live in.
    – Click Apply.
    – The Fritzbox reboots with the new setting.
  4. Step 4 : Configure admin password.
    Procedure :
    – Connect the webbrowser to http://192.168.178.1
    – Type your personal preferred admin password twice.
    – Confirm by clicking Logon.
    – A Wizard starts. Click Cancel to abort the wizard.
  5. Step 5 : Enable Expert mode.
    Procedure :
    – Connect the webbrowser to http://192.168.178.1
    – Logon to the web interface
    – Click the upper buttonSettings.
    – In the left-hand side navigate to menu : Advanced settings > System > Expert Mode.
    – In the right-hand menu goto section Expert Mode and enable the checkbox Show Expert settings.
    – Click Apply to confirm the setting.
  6. Step 6 : Configure Operating mode.
    Procedure :
    This step configures the modem to operate as a router.
    – Connect the webbrowser to http://192.168.178.1
    – Click the upper button Settings.
    – In the left-hand side navigate to menu : Advanced settings > Internet > Account Information.
    – In the right-hand menu goto section Connection.
    – Enable the setting Internet connection via LAN 1.
    – In the right-hand menu goto section Operating mode.
    – Enable the setting Share existing Internet connection in the network (IP Client).
    – In the right-hand menu goto section Connection Settings.
    – Enable the setting Obtain the IP address automatically (DHCP).
    – In the text box DHCP host name enter the name you want to give to this Fritzbox Access Point. IE: FritzBox-AP1
    – Click Apply to confirm the setting.NOTE:
    The setting of the WAN interface, Fritzbox LAN1, has been updated to retrieve a DHCP address from your personal Internet Router.
    Disconnect the Fritzbox from the direct cable connection with your computer.
    Connect the Fritzbox to your local network, and connect with your browser to the new IP address. This address can be found in the your Internet Router configuration, or by using the free tool AngryIPscanner and scan your local network.Best Practice:
    To allow for the Fritzbox AccessPoint to use the same DHCP IP address, create a fixed reservation in the DHCP scope of your Internet router.NOTE: Optical check
    When the Fritzbox is connected to your local network, both Power/DSL and WLAN LEDs are ON
  7. Step 7 : Configure WLAN.
    Procedure :
    – Connect the webbrowser to http://192.168.178.1
    – Click the upper button Settings.
    – In the left-hand side navigate to menu : Advanced settings > WLAN> Radio Network.
    – In the right-hand menu goto section Radio Network.
    – Enable the setting WLAN Radio network active.
    – In the textbox Name of the WLAN radio network (SSID) type the name of your WiFi network name. IE: Fritzbox-AP1
    – Disable the setting Enable AVM Stick & Surf.
    – Click Apply to save the setting.
  8. Step 8 : Configure WLAN.
    Procedure :
    – Connect the webbrowser to http://192.168.178.1
    – Click the upper button Settings.
    – In the left-hand side navigate to menu : Advanced settings > WLAN> Security.
    – In the right-hand menu goto section Security, select the radiobutton WPA encryption (recommended, highest security).
    – In the right-hand menu goto section WPA Encryption,
    – in the dropdown-box WPA mode select the option WPA2 (CCMP).
    – in the text-box WLAN key type the personal security key for your network. TIP: Use different types of characters for a complex security key.
    – Click Apply to save the setting.

    Your Fritzbox is ready to operate as a WiFi AccessPoint

 

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