Netmaster Infinity 401 Bridge Mode with Kablonet and an Archer AX73

This field note documents the real setup I used to run a Netmaster Infinity 401 as a DOCSIS bridge on Kablonet while a TP-Link Archer AX73 handles routing. The same approach may apply to ASUS, Keenetic or other TP-Link routers using DHCP on the WAN side, but modem firmware and ISP provisioning can change the result.

Target topology

The goal was to make the Infinity 401 stop providing Wi-Fi, NAT and DHCP and let the Archer AX73 own the network edge:

Kablonet / DOCSIS
        ↓
Netmaster Infinity 401
Bridge Mode
        ↓
Archer AX73 WAN
Dynamic IP / DHCP
        ↓
NAT · Firewall · DHCP · Wi-Fi · LAN

This removes the likely double-NAT layer, keeps port forwarding and local network policy on one device and leaves the Infinity 401 acting only as the cable modem.

Symptom: why WAN remained at 0.0.0.0 after enabling Bridge Mode

Selecting Router → Bridge in the modem interface was not enough. The Infinity 401 restarted, but the Archer AX73 continued to show:

IP address: 0.0.0.0
Gateway:    0.0.0.0
DNS:        0.0.0.0

The AX73 was already set to Wireless Router Mode, Dynamic IP, Default MAC and NAT enabled. It still failed to receive a WAN lease.

The critical sequence: release the WAN lease before bridging

The sequence that changed the result on my connection was:

Release the existing WAN lease
        ↓
Disconnect coax
        ↓
Switch the Infinity 401 to Bridge Mode
        ↓
Prepare the third-party router WAN link
        ↓
Reconnect coax LAST

I did not instrument the provider side, so I cannot claim a universal DHCP mechanism. What I observed was repeatable: bridging without releasing the current lease left the AX73 at 0.0.0.0; the sequence below allowed it to receive an ISP-assigned WAN address.

RUNBOOK

Archer AX73 pre-flight

0 / 4 completed

1. 01Operation Mode: Wireless Router ModeDo not use Access Point Mode.
2. 02Internet Connection Type: Dynamic IPThe tested connection did not require PPPoE credentials.
3. 03MAC Address: Use Default MAC AddressStart with the router's default WAN MAC.
4. 04NAT and router firewall enabledThe AX73 becomes the network boundary after bridging.

Working Infinity 401 → Archer AX73 procedure

The coax state is part of this procedure. I recommend keeping the order unchanged on the first attempt.

RUNBOOK

Bridge-mode runbook

0 / 18 completed

1. 01Factory-reset the Infinity 401Keep the coax cable connected for this first reset.
2. 02Wait until the modem is fully onlineDS → US → ONLINE indicators should settle.
3. 03Connect the computer directly to the Infinity 401Do not put the AX73 in the path yet; use Ethernet.
4. 04Open 192.168.0.1Navigate to Basic → Setup.
5. 05Select Release WAN LeaseRelease the modem's current WAN DHCP lease.
6. 06Wait about 10 secondsThen disconnect the coax cable from the modem.
7. 07Factory-reset again with coax disconnectedThe computer can remain connected to the Infinity 401.
8. 08Open the local modem interface againThe interface remains available without Internet access.
9. 09Disable the Infinity 401 2.4 GHz radioThe AX73 will provide the wireless network.
10. 10Disable the Infinity 401 5 GHz radioDo not leave a second Wi-Fi network on the modem.
11. 11Disable the modem firewallThis matches my verified setup; firmware may make it irrelevant in bridge mode.
12. 12Select Bridge Mode and applyThe coax cable should still be disconnected.
13. 13After restart, remove the PC cable from the modemThe normal management address may stop being reachable.
14. 14Connect Infinity 401 LAN1 → AX73 WANUse a known-good Cat5e or Cat6 copper patch cable.
15. 15Connect the computer to an AX73 LAN portLocal addressing and DHCP now come from the AX73.
16. 16Power on the AX73 and wait about two minutesKeep the coax cable disconnected during this step.
17. 17Reconnect coax to the Infinity 401 lastStart DOCSIS registration while both devices are ready.
18. 18Wait for DS → US → ONLINEThen inspect the AX73 WAN status.

How to verify the result

Open the AX73 Internet/WAN status page. “The Internet works” is not the only success criterion:

• The AX73 WAN address is no longer 0.0.0.0.
• It is not an Infinity 401 LAN address such as 192.168.0.x.
• Local clients receive addresses from the AX73 DHCP server.
• Both Infinity 401 Wi-Fi radios remain disabled.
• NAT, firewall, DHCP, Wi-Fi and LAN policy are handled by the AX73.

Be careful with the term “public IP.” If Kablonet uses CGNAT, the AX73 can receive an address directly from the ISP without receiving a globally routable public IPv4 address. 100.64.0.0/10 is reserved for carrier-grade NAT. For verifying the bridge, the important distinction is that WAN is no longer receiving an address from the Infinity 401's 192.168.0.x LAN.

Troubleshooting

A Windows Ethernet client has no Internet

Windows may retain the previous local DHCP lease after the topology changes. In an elevated Terminal or Command Prompt, try:

ipconfig /release
ipconfig /renew

The AX73 WAN address is still 0.0.0.0

• Confirm that coax was reconnected only at the last step.
• Confirm that the WAN lease was released before switching to bridge mode.
• Verify that the AX73 WAN type is Dynamic IP.
• Verify the physical Infinity 401 LAN1 → AX73 WAN connection.
• Power-cycle the devices, prepare the Ethernet side first and reconnect coax last again.

The AX73 receives 192.168.0.x on WAN

This usually means the Infinity 401 is still routing and a double-NAT layer remains. Recheck the modem's operating mode.

The connection is limited to 100 Mbps

A correct bridge configuration can still be bottlenecked by the Ethernet uplink. If the modem-to-router cable cannot negotiate Gigabit Ethernet, the whole network may remain near 100 Mbps. See the separate field note on an Ethernet link falling from 1 Gbps to 100 Mbps.

Frequently asked questions

Is this specific to the Archer AX73?

No. The external device needs to operate as a router and receive its WAN configuration through DHCP/Dynamic IP. Menu names differ across ASUS, Keenetic and other TP-Link models.

Does Kablonet Bridge Mode require PPPoE?

It did not on the connection I tested; the AX73 received its WAN configuration using Dynamic IP. Do not treat that as a guarantee for every package or future provisioning change.

Why can I no longer open the Infinity 401 interface?

Once bridged, the modem is no longer the main LAN router, so 192.168.0.1 may not be reachable from the normal client network. Some firmware exposes a different management address; otherwise direct cabling or a factory reset may be required.

How do I roll back?

Remove the AX73 from the path, connect a computer directly to the Infinity 401 and factory-reset the modem. Allow ISP provisioning and DS/US/ONLINE registration to finish, then reconfigure any custom SSID or local settings.