Using a DrayTek Vigor 130 as a Modem for pfSense

Today is a very quick guide on Using a DrayTek Vigor 130 as a Modem for pfSense!I exclusively use DrayTek’s Vigor 130 for my pfSense firewalls, private and in corporate environments.

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Table of Contents

• Why Choosing a DrayTek Vigor?
• Step 1: Firmware Upgrade
• Step 2: Configuring your DrayTek Vigor 130 as a Modem
• Conclusion

Why Choosing a DrayTek Vigor?

They are cheap, reliable modems that perform well even under constant heavy load.

I don’t exactly know how it is for the US, but you can certainly Google things like MTU size for your own internet connection and adjust it accordingly.

When you buy a new DryTek Vigor 130, it comes pre-configured as a router.

It is a fully usable router, by the way, we are just going to limit his function to be a simple modem.

I live in Germany and used it for both – Telekom and 1&1 ISP. Works really well for both.

This specific configuration was made for a Telekom VDSL 50 connection.

Assuming your pfSense will establish the Internet Connection (Means, you will enter your ISP’s Credentials IN your pfSense firewall, not in the DrayTek.)

Step 1: Firmware Upgrade

There are plenty of firmware versions out there, but because we use the DrayTek as a modem, we have to choose the MODEM firmware.

I had a particularly good experience with the v130_384_modem7 which I run on Telekom as well as 1&1 connections.

http://www.draytek.com.tw/ftp/Vigor130/Firmware/v3.8.4/ is the link to the firmware. Choose the Modem 7 one.

Now a side note. Again, no clue how you handle it in the US or elsewhere, but Telekom as well as 1&1 (One of the biggest ISP’s in Germany) both use VLAN-Tagging, specifically VLAN 7 (VLAN 8 if you have entertain from Telekom). So again, Google to find which version YOU need to YOUR ISP.

Now log in to your new DrayTek Vigor:

The Vigor comes with the default IP Address of 192.168.1.1 and you can log in with the credentials admin/admin.

I’m not entirely sure if DHCP is activated by default and you get a IP or not, in case not, just give your own computer an IP Address of 192.168.1.2 so you are able to establish a connection.

Once logged in, go to:

System Maintenance -> Firmware Upgrade

Now find the downloaded 3.8.4_m7 firmware and click on Upgrade. The router will restart after it’s done. There are 2 file endings of that update file:

One is .rst and one is .all

.rst resets everything back to factory default

.all keeps all your settings

Step 2: Configuring your DrayTek Vigor 130 as a Modem

First you always should change the default login of admin/admin to something more secure, you can find the option under System maintenance.

Now Navigate to:

Internet Access -> General Setup

This is the part that drove me crazy once. Almost every guide says you have to change the Tag value under Customer on the right side to 7. Which indicates the above-mentioned VLAN7. That is correct if your pfSense DOES NOT have a VLAN7 Tag on its WAN Interface.

The crux is, most of the pfSense guides use a Vlan7 Tag on the WAN Interface, so if you now also tag your modem to vlan7, you will not establish a connection.

pfSense automatically forwards the VLAN7 tag that you set on your WAN Interface to the modem, hence you DON’T need to set it on your modem as well.

That being said:

Change the Tag value to 0.

DSL Mode should be on Auto

Now navigate to: Internet Access -> PPPoE / PPPoA

And make sure it’s set on: Disable

Next Navigate to: MPoA / Static or dynamic IP

Make sure it’s set to: Enable

Multi-PVC Channel: Channel 2

Encapsulation: 1483 Bridged IP LLC

VPI: 1

VCI: 32

Modulation: Multimode

MTU: 1492 (For Deutsche Telekom, you find this information with your ISP)

Bridge Mode: Enable Bridge Mode

Navigate to LAN:

Change the IP Address of the Vigor to your liking and disable the DHCP Server.

Conclusion

Now you should be all set and done. As I said, it works like a charm for me. I have one running at home and its uptime is now well over 480 Days and counting. Great solid little modem.

I hope this helps, there are many guides out there but I feel none of them is complete and goes into the details as much.

If you liked this, please consider buying the fantastic Vigor 130 Modem .