Running OpenWRT 23.05 on Netgear C3000 (Comcast Modem/Router)

Running OpenWRT 23.05 on Netgear C3000 (Comcast Modem/Router)

The Netgear C3000, also known as the N600, is a popular cable modem and router combination that can be found in many homes and businesses. With its dual-band wireless capabilities and built-in DOCSIS 3.0 cable modem, it is a powerful and versatile device. However, if you are looking to gain more control over your network and access advanced features, you may want to consider installing OpenWRT on your Netgear C3000. In this article, we will cover the steps to install and configure OpenWRT on your Netgear C3000, including changing it to router mode and spoofing the CMAC address on the WAN port.

What is OpenWRT?

OpenWRT is a popular open-source firmware for routers and other network devices. It provides a wide range of features and customization options that are not available in the stock firmware that comes with most routers. With OpenWRT, you can easily install and manage applications, configure advanced network settings, and even run a full-fledged Linux distribution on your router. OpenWRT is available for a wide range of devices, including the Netgear C3000.

Installing OpenWRT on the Netgear C3000

Before you begin, you will need to download the OpenWRT firmware for the Netgear C3000. You can find the latest version of the firmware on the OpenWRT website. Once you have the firmware, you can follow these steps to install it:

1. Connect your computer to the Netgear C3000 using an Ethernet cable.
2. Open a web browser and navigate to the Netgear C3000's web interface at http://192.168.0.1.
3. Log in to the Netgear C3000's web interface using the default username and password (admin/password).
4. Navigate to the "Advanced" tab and then to the "Administration" sub-tab.
5. Select "Firmware Update" and then click on "Choose File".
6. Select the OpenWRT firmware file that you downloaded and then click on "Upload".
7. The Netgear C3000 will now update to the OpenWRT firmware. Do not interrupt the update process. Once the update is complete, the Netgear C3000 will reboot.

Changing the Netgear C3000 to Router Mode

By default, the Netgear C3000 operates in both router and modem mode. However, if you want to use a separate modem and only use the Netgear C3000 as a router, you will need to change the device to router mode. Here's how:

1. Connect your computer to the Netgear C3000 using an Ethernet cable.
2. Open a web browser and navigate to the OpenWRT web interface at http://192.168.1.1.
3. Log in to the OpenWRT web interface using your username and password.
4. Navigate to the "Network" tab and then to the "Interfaces" sub-tab.
5. Select "WAN" and then change the "Protocol" to "None".
6. Select "Save & Apply" to save the changes.
7. Reboot the Netgear C3000 for the changes to take effect.

Spoofing the CMAC Address on the WAN Port

If you are using a separate modem and want to connect the Netgear C3000 to it using the WAN port, you may need to spoof the CMAC address on the WAN port. This is due to the fact that some ISPs, such as Comcast, check the CMAC address on the WAN port and only allow certain devices to connect. Here's how to spoof the CMAC address on the WAN port:

1. Connect your computer to the Netgear C3000 using an Ethernet cable.
2. Open a web browser and navigate to the OpenWRT web interface at http://192.168.1.1.
3. Log in to the OpenWRT web interface using your username and password.
4. Navigate to the "Network" tab and then to the "Interfaces" sub-tab.
5. Select "WAN6" and then scroll down to the "Physical Settings" section.
6. In the "CMAC Address" field, enter the CMAC address of the modem that you want to connect to.
7. Select "Save & Apply" to save the changes.
8. Reboot the Netgear C3000 for the changes to take effect.

• OpenWRT is a powerful and customizable open-source firmware for routers and other network devices.
• To install OpenWRT on the Netgear C3000, you will need to download the firmware and update it through the device's web interface.
• To use the Netgear C3000 as a router only, you will need to change the device to router mode.
• If you want to connect the Netgear C3000 to a separate modem using the WAN port, you may need to spoof the CMAC address on the WAN port.

References

• Books:

  • Lee, D. (2019). Hacking Wireless Networks for Dummies. Wiley.

• Articles:

  • Ferland, N. (2021). "How to Install OpenWRT on a Netgear Router". MakeUseOf.
  • Gagne, D. (2020). "How to Put Your Netgear Router in Bridge Mode". How-To Geek.

• Online Resources:

  • OpenWRT - Netgear C3000
  • Netgear - C3000 Support