MAX BR1 Classic: Can I use Wi-Fi in client mode (not AP mode)?

Product Discussion Pepwave MAX
1

I have two LTE connections - AT&T and Sprint. AT&T is lenient and wherever you put their SIM card, the LTE connection will work. Sprint is strict - their SIM card will work only in their hot-spot device and nothing else. I currently use MOFI 4500 router with AT&T SIM card inside. I configured its Wi-Fi to connect to Sprint-provided Wi-Fi hotspot. And then set up the failover so it routes all traffic via Wi-Fi to Sprint hotspot if AT&T is determined down.

Is it possible to configure MAX BR1 Classic (or any other Peplink product) to use Wi-Fi in client mode (not AP mode), and connect to a Wi-Fi network, and then perform the failover between the Peplink built-in LTE connection and the Wi-Fi connection?

I want to get rid of MOFI 4500 and I’m looking for a good replacement.

2

Yes. In Peplink terminology this is WIFI WAN. Any wifi enabled MAX product can do this although the BR1 mini needs an extra license to enable it (along with wired WAN).

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3

While you are correct that the SIM is linked to the IMEA a phone call to their tech support folks should solve the problem.

I think you referring to “wi-fi-as-WAN” and the answer is yes. See Peplink.com - Model Comparison.

Getting rid of kludges is always a nice objective. :wink:

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4

Thanks for your answers, @MartinLangmaid and @Rick-DC!

Sprint will not change it, at least for Calyx/FMCA plans. See https://www.reddit.com/r/Calyx/comments/f80xkd/sprint_hotspot_on_calyx/fijb799/?context=3. I can’t complain though, $60/month for fully unthrottled LTE is a steal. I can easily get 2 TB or 3 TB a month out of it.

I have one more question. I use MWAN3 feature for failover on my OpenWRT router. AT&T via built-in LTE module is primary, Sprint via Wi-Fi is secondary. Plus I have a couple rules where I route traffic the other way - Sprint is primary, AT&T is secondary. My children’s computers go through it (so they don’t affect they speed of my Internet, which I need for work), and TVs (because AT&T throttles some media traffic by IP - namely YouTube but maybe some more). Does any of Peplink products support an equivalent of MWAN3?

5

Yes multi wan load balancing is what all of Peplinks Multi-WAN products can do.
You can read about it here: https://www.peplink.com/technology/load-balancing-algorithms/

In Peplinks world you use outbound policies to manage traffic flow logic across multiple WAN interfaces.

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OK. I am not familiar with that plan. Curious, however, that they insist on using a certain router. We’ve not experience that inflexibility here (although I admit to having been frustrated a few times when things did not work after switching a SIM between devices. Then the “oops moment.” :wink: If Sprint’s service works for you the price is an absolute “steal.”

(And, I see @MartinLangmaid already gave you the correct answer to your question. --good.)

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