Thread: How-to on configuring Huawei MT841 for BSNL broadband

The primary reason for this post is because I found very useful information scattered across the internet and/or I found searching for relevant information difficult to obtain an optimal MT841 configuration quick reference.

How-to #1: Connections

Connect the telephone line from the wall socket to the modem.

Connect the adapter from the power point to the modem.

Power ON the modem

How-to #2: How to configure basic internet connection (modem <--USB cable-->PC/laptop)

Huawei does not provide USB drivers for Windows Vista. If you use Vista, please read the Ethernet connectivity section below.

Connect the USB cable from the modem to the PC.

OS will automatically detect the "New hardware". When it ask for the drivers, help the OS by pointing out where you have stored the Huawei drivers so that it can now install the appropriate drivers for you.

Log in to the modem by typgin 192.168.1.1 in your browser, provide "admin" username and password (default password is "admin" itself, however please change it to a stronger password for security sake), edited the "Connections" settings to show as below:

PVC-0 0/35 Bridge mode
PVC-1 8/35 Bridge mode
PVC-2 0/100 Bridge mode
PVC-3 0/32 Bridge mode
PVC-4 8/81 Bridge mode
PVC-5 8/32 Bridge mode
PVC-6 14/24 Bridge mode

In the "DNS" settings, I used 61.1.69.96 and 61.1.69.71.

Gave the Router the IP address 192.168.1.1 with subnet mask 255.255.255.0

Click "Save all" to save changes and reboot the modem.

On the PC/laptop:

Provide your PC with the IP address 192.168.1.2, subnet mask 255.255.255.0, default gateway 192.168.1.1, DNS servers 61.1.69.96 and 61.1.69.71

Configure the dialer in the operating system as usual, dial and connect to the internet.

How-to #3: How to configure basic internet connection (modem <--Ethernet cable-->PC/laptop)

Connect the LAN cable from the modem to the PC/laptop.

Repeat the settings as per section #2 above.

How-to #4: How to configure Wireless (WiFi) connection

Got to your modem configuration (refer above) and edit "Connections" settings to show as below:

PVC-0 0/35 PPoE, provided my_BSNL_username(at)dataone and password, LLC
PVC-1 8/35 Bridge mode
PVC-2 0/100 Bridge mode
PVC-3 0/32 Bridge mode
PVC-4 8/81 Bridge mode
PVC-5 8/32 Bridge mode
PVC-6 14/24 Bridge mode

In the "DNS" settings, I used 61.1.69.96 and 61.1.69.71.

Gave the Router the IP address 192.168.1.1 with subnet mask 255.255.255.0

Click "Save all" to save changes and reboot the modem.

On the PC/laptop:

Provide your PC with the IP address 192.168.1.2, subnet mask 255.255.255.0, default gateway 192.168.1.1, DNS servers 61.1.69.96 and 61.1.69.71

PC will now be able to detect the Wifi signals depending on what application is used on the PC to detect and connect to Wifi network/internet.

IMPORTANT NOTE: WiFi Security

Enter the modem configuration via browser (steps above), go to WLAN settings, enable "WEP", provide a long "WEP key". Click apply. Click "Save all" to save and reboot the modem. You need to use these WEP settings in your Wifi configuration wizard in your OS as well.

Happy surfing!


Regards,

Manoj Kuruvanthody

I need to limit the users on my computer network according to time.

Good guide. But I suggest the following changes:

Connections: It is important to have a splitter at the first entry point of telephone. Splitter will separate voice and data lines.

USB connection: Do not use USB at all. Use LAN cable instead. No drivers required in this case. Use USB only if your PC does not have a LAN port.

"DNS" settings on modem: For DNS use open DNS settings:
Primary: 208.67.222.222
Secondary: 208.67.220.220

TCP/IP Properties: Enable DHCP on the modem and leave all settings to automatic on PC.

Wireless Security: WEP is a weak and outdated technology. Use at the minimum WPA-PSK with TKIP. The best is WPA2-PSK with AES. Read my guides on this.

Wireless Security Primer
Wireless Security Primer - II

We have many guides on this forum for first time users and newbies. They are located here: Broadband How to. I am moving the thread there.