nbn HFC made easy

All types of nbn network connections that utilise a physical line running to the premises are considered Fixed Line connections.
An nbn Hybrid Fibre Coaxial (HFC) connection is used in circumstances where the existing ‘pay TV’ or cable network can be used to make the final part of the nbn network connection. In this circumstance an HFC line will be run from the nearest available fibre node, to your premises.
HFC connections require an nbn network device to be installed at the point where the line enters your home. This device requires power to operate.

How to setup your Connection

locate the nbn™ HFC Connection Device

Find the indoor nbn™ HFC Connection Device in your home. This will either be an Arris CM820 or an Arris CM8200 depending on what device was installed by nbn. It should look like the black device in the below image.

Step 2: 
You will need to plug in your nbn™ HFC Connection Device. Ensure the coaxial cable connection is plugged in via the included white cable from the back of the HFC Connection Device. The other end of the white coaxial cable should plug into the cable wall outlet or socket in your premises.

Plug the included black power cable from the power port on the back of the HFC Connection Device. Plug the other end of the power cable into a power wall outlet in your home and switch the powerpoint on. You will now need to wait for all four lights (POWER, DOWNSTREAM, UPSTREAM, ONLINE) on the front of the HFC Connection Box to turn solid green. This may take up to 10 minutes. DO NOT UNPLUG THE DEVICE DURING THIS TIME.

If the POWER, DOWNSTREAM, UPSTREAM, ONLINE lights on the front of the HFC Connection Device do not turn solid green within 10 minutes, please try a different wall socket if you have one at home if not please contact us for more information. 

Step 3:

plug in your BYO modem/router

Take your modem/router’s power supply cable and use it to connect your modem/router’s power port to an electrical outlet. Switch the power outlet on.

Take your Ethernet cable (this is typically blue, yellow, grey or white) and plug one end into the yellow port marked UNI-D1 on the back of the nbn™ HFC Connection Device. Plug the other end into the WAN port on your modem/router. This may also be labelled as INTERNET, WAN/LAN or FIBRE.

The Ethernet cable is larger than a telephone cable. DO NOT use the telephone cable to plug in your modem/router to the nbn™ HFC Connection Device.

Step 4:

connect and configure your BYO modem/router

Your BYO modem/router will need to be configured with your new NETPAL nbn™ details to work.

1. First, ensure the supplied yellow Ethernet cable with your modem/router (this is usually yellow, blue, grey or white) is plugged from yellow UNI-D1 port on your nbn™ HFC Connection Device, into the WAN port on your modem. This WAN port may also be labelled as INTERNET, LAN/WAN or FIBRE depending on the make and model of your modem.
2. You will now need to connect your BYO modem/router to the device. You’ll need a computer, laptop, tablet or smartphone that is connected to your BYO modem/router via Ethernet or Wi-Fi.
3. Once you have connected your device to your BYO modem/router, open the web browser on your connected device and type in your modem/router’s default gateway/admin IP address in the address bar. This will be printed on the bottom or back of your modem/router depending on the make and model. Some of the most common addresses are 192.168.1.1, 192.168.20.1, 10.1.1.1 and 10.0.0.138. The IP gateway address for your modem/router will typically be printed on the bottom or back of your device.
4. Once you have accessed the gateway of your modem/router, you may see a login page. If there’s a username or login field, the default username will almost always be admin (it may even already be filled in). The default password is typically admin or password.If you can’t log in with these settings, please check the manufacturer’s website for your BYO modem/router’s default login settings. If your BYO modem/router is secondhand or you have used it previously, it may have custom login details set. If you need to, you can factory reset the modem/router to return it to the default settings.
5. From here, it gets a little tricky to offer general advice for all BYO modem/routers. The layout of modem/router settings pages can vary greatly for each different device depending on the make and model. If you get stuck or it is not clear where you should change your internet settings, you need to check the manufacturer’s website for support information. Ideally, your modem/router will have a Setup Wizard or Quick Setup section that will run automatically the first time you log in to the settings, or there’ll be a fairly obvious button to launch it.
6. The Setup Wizard or Internet Settings section should run you through entering the required connection settings, step by step. The most important settings are the following: 
   Encapsulation or Connection Type – MUST BE SET TO PPPOE
   Connection Mode/Access Type/Service Type – ETHERNET WAN/RESIDENTIAL GATEWAY/WIRELESS ROUTER MODE
   This will then allow you to enter your username (sometimes called Login) and password which are supplied in your NETPAL welcome email or as advised by our technical support team. 
7. After completing the Setup Wizard or Internet Settings section and saving your settings, give the modem/router some time. Some modem/routers reboot automatically after every new configuration, while others simply need a few minutes to apply the settings.
   Take a look at the lights on your modem router. Most should now be green, blue, purple or another “positive” colour. Many modem routers have lights that flash to indicate connection activity, so you shouldn’t be concerned if any lights are flashing unless the manufacturer’s support information specifically advises that flashing lights indicate a problem.
8. Hop on one of your computers or Wi-Fi devices and try to visit a website. If it works, your NETPAL nbn™ internet is up and running! If you have issues connecting, please contact our support team for further troubleshooting.