Modem Failover

morpheus27

Firebox M270 with Fireware 12.5.1

My DSL connection has been down for a couple of days and there is no sign of getting back online for another few days. I'm in California.

I'm looking at the following article:
https://www.watchguard.com/help/docs/help-center/en-US/Content/en-US/Fireware/networksetup/modem_interfaces_about.html

If I get one of those 3G/4G USB device, where does it plug into? USB ports on the front side? I suppose they are not only for USB storage device, correct? If I can't get a supported modem on the list, will any 3G/4G USB device work?

james.carson

Hi Ron,

They go right into the USB port on the front of the firewall.

So long as the 3G/4G device is on the supported list in that article you linked, it should work. Check each model, as some have notes, like they need to be in a specific mode in order to work.

If it's not on the list, it very likely won't work. The firewall has drivers loaded for those 3G/4G sticks.

morpheus27

Thanks James. I tried using my smartphone USB tethering. Couldn't get it to work. I'm completely lost. Not sure what is needed besides enabling a Modem and selecting Failover in Multi-WAN settings.

The DSL line came back on late yesterday. I won't need the modem failover support right now but it would be nice to have it.

Any good articles to read on how to configure a 3G/4G modem failover?

james.carson

Hi Ron,

Smartphone tethering won't work -- it needs to be one of the modems listed in that KB article.

The two articles here will be the main source of information:

How to set up -
(Configure a Modem Interface)
https://www.watchguard.com/help/docs/help-center/en-US/Content/en-US/Fireware/networksetup/modem_interface_configure.html

What 3G/4G modems are supported-
(About Modem Interfaces)
https://www.watchguard.com/help/docs/help-center/en-US/Content/en-US/Fireware/networksetup/modem_interfaces_about.html