How to set up Mac as internet gateway using iPhone hotspot & wireless router?

[SackJabbit]

I am presently away from a permanent internet set up, so my mobile network is providing internet via my iPhone hotspot right now. However, I have more than 5 devices, which is the limit how many devices can tether to the iPhone, in the household which needs to be connected to the internet and communicate to each other.

I have a TP-Link N750 wireless router, and would prefer to use it as the main routing device (ie. using DHCP), instead of relying on my iPhone. Is this set up below possible?

iPhone ---> MacBook (receives internet directly from iPhone) <---> ethernet cable <---> wireless router (acts as main routing device, ie. DHCP enabled) ---> all other devices connected to the wireless router & still communicates with MacBook

If so, how would I go about to do this?

Many thanks in advance for your replies & help.

 

[teidon]

First of all, I think you have misunderstood what DHCP is. It simply gives connected devices the necessary information (IP address, subnet mask, etc.) so that they can communicate with each other. Without DHCP you would have to configure each machine manually.

Assuming you want to connect your iPhone to your Mac over Wifi (instead of tying it with a cable): On your Mac go to System Preferences -> Sharing and turn on Internet sharing. In the pull down list choose WiFi and in the box below select Ethernet. Then connect your router to your Mac with an ethernet cable and with any luck things should work. If not, you'll need to look in the router's settings and try to figure out what's wrong. Or just factory reset it and hope for the best.

 

[SackJabbit]

Thanks for your reply, teidon.

I found another solution whereby I can insert my SIM card into a router, and use it as the main routing device. I purchased a TP-Link Archer MR200, which is a AC750 wireless 4G LTE router. It has a SIM card slot.

It was a breeze setting it up, has loads of options, and I would recommend it to any needing to use their mobile carrier's data for a short term period to connect to cabled and wireless devices.