1. Introduction
The GL.iNet GL-B1300 (Convexa-B) is a powerful dual-band AC Gigabit VPN router designed for both home and commercial use. It features simultaneous dual-band Wi-Fi with speeds up to 400Mbps (2.4GHz) and 867Mbps (5GHz), providing high-speed wireless networking. Pre-installed with OpenWrt/LEDE, it offers extensive customization and programmability. This router also includes pre-installed OpenVPN and WireGuard clients and servers, compatible with over 30 VPN service providers, ensuring secure and private internet access.
Package Contents:
- GL-B1300 (Convexa-B) router
- Power adapter
- Power cable
- Ethernet cable
- User Manual
2. Product Overview
The GL-B1300 router is compact and designed for efficient performance. Below are diagrams illustrating its physical features and dimensions.
Figure 2.1: Front view of the GL.iNet GL-B1300 Convexa-B Router.
Figure 2.2: Detailed view of the GL-B1300 router showing USB 3.0 port, LAN ports, WAN port, Power port, Power, Mesh, and Wireless indicator lights, Repair/Restore button, and Mesh button. Product dimensions are also indicated: 4.6 inches by 4.6 inches by 1.57 inches, with a weight of 0.46 lbs.
Physical Features:
- USB 3.0 Port: For connecting external storage devices or USB modems.
- LAN Ports (2): Gigabit Ethernet ports for connecting wired devices to your local network.
- WAN Port (1): Gigabit Ethernet port for connecting to your internet service provider's modem or main router.
- Power Port: For connecting the included power adapter.
- Indicator Lights: Separate lights for Power, Mesh status, and Wireless activity.
- Repair / Restore Button: Used for system recovery or factory reset.
- Mesh Button: For easily setting up mesh networks with other compatible GL.iNet devices.
3. Setup
Initial Setup Steps:
- Connect Hardware:
- Connect the included power adapter to the router's Power Port and plug it into a power outlet.
- Connect one end of the Ethernet cable to the router's WAN port and the other end to your modem or existing router's LAN port.
- Optionally, connect your computer to one of the router's LAN ports using another Ethernet cable, or connect wirelessly.
- Power On: Wait for the router to boot up. The Power indicator light should become solid.
- Access Web Interface:
- Open a web browser on your connected device.
- Type 192.168.8.1 into the address bar and press Enter.
- Follow the on-screen instructions to set up your administrator password and configure basic Wi-Fi settings (SSID and password).
- Firmware Update (Recommended): After initial setup, navigate to the firmware update section in the web interface to check for and install the latest firmware version. This ensures optimal performance and security.
4. Operating the Router
Internet Access Methods:
The GL-B1300 supports various methods to connect to the internet:
Figure 4.1: Internet access methods including Cable (wired WAN), Repeater (Wi-Fi as WAN), USB Modem, and Smartphone Tethering.
- Cable: Connect the router's WAN port to a modem or existing router via an Ethernet cable.
- Repeater: Extend an existing Wi-Fi network by connecting the GL-B1300 wirelessly to another Wi-Fi network.
- USB Modem: Connect a compatible USB 4G/5G modem to the USB 3.0 port for internet access.
- Tethering: Share internet from your smartphone by connecting it to the router via USB.
High-Speed Connectivity:
The GL-B1300 is equipped with a USB 3.0 port and three Gigabit Ethernet ports (1 WAN, 2 LAN) to ensure high-speed data transfer for various devices.
Figure 4.2: The router's USB 3.0 and Gigabit ports enable high-speed connections for a wide range of devices.
VPN Client & Server:
The router comes with OpenVPN and WireGuard pre-installed, allowing you to secure your network traffic. It is compatible with over 30 VPN service providers.
Figure 4.3: The router supports OpenVPN (Max. 25Mbps) and WireGuard (Max. 192Mbps) for secure connections.
Quality of Service (QoS):
Prioritize network traffic to ensure critical applications receive sufficient bandwidth. This is particularly useful for gaming (Upstream QoS) and video streaming (Downstream QoS).
Figure 4.4: QoS settings allow you to manage bandwidth allocation for various activities.
Remote Control via Device Cloud:
Manage your router remotely using the GL.iNet device cloud service (GoodCloud.xyz).
Figure 4.5: Remote management of your router through the GoodCloud.xyz platform.
Web User Interface (UI):
The router features a mobile-optimized and responsively designed control panel for easy configuration and monitoring.
Figure 4.6: The responsive web UI provides a seamless experience across different devices.
5. Maintenance
Firmware Updates:
Regularly check for and install firmware updates to ensure your router has the latest features, security patches, and performance improvements. Updates can typically be found in the router's web interface under 'System' or 'Firmware Upgrade'.
Factory Reset:
If you encounter persistent issues or wish to clear all configurations, you can perform a factory reset. Locate the 'Repair / Restore Button' (refer to Figure 2.2). With the router powered on, press and hold this button for approximately 10 seconds until the indicator lights change, then release. The router will reboot with default settings.
6. Troubleshooting
Common Issues and Solutions:
- No Internet Connection:
- Verify that the WAN cable is securely connected to both the router and your modem/ISP device.
- Check the status of your modem and ISP service.
- Restart both your modem and the GL-B1300 router.
- Wi-Fi Connectivity Issues (e.g., 5GHz dropouts):
- Ensure your devices are within optimal range of the router.
- Try changing the Wi-Fi channel in the router's web interface to avoid interference.
- Update the router's firmware to the latest version.
- Consider adjusting the router's physical orientation, as signal strength can be affected by placement.
- Cannot Access Web Interface (192.168.8.1):
- Ensure your device is connected to the router via Ethernet or Wi-Fi.
- Clear your browser's cache or try a different browser.
- Temporarily disable any VPN clients or proxy settings on your computer.
- Perform a factory reset if you have forgotten the login password or if the interface is unresponsive.
- Slow VPN Speeds:
- Ensure you are using WireGuard for better performance if your VPN provider supports it.
- Try connecting to a different VPN server location.
- Check your base internet speed without the VPN enabled.
Further Assistance:
For more detailed troubleshooting or advanced configurations, please refer to the official GL.iNet documentation or visit the GL.iNet support forum.
Official User Manual (PDF): Download Here
7. Specifications
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Product Dimensions | 4.61 x 4.61 x 1.38 inches |
| Item Weight | 6 ounces (170 Grams) |
| Model Number | GL-B1300 |
| Brand | GL.iNet |
| Special Feature | OpenWrt pre-installed |
| Frequency Band Class | Dual-Band (2.4GHz & 5GHz) |
| Wireless Communication Standard | 802.11ac |
| Compatible Devices | Tablet, various Wi-Fi and Ethernet devices |
| Recommended Uses | Home, Commercial |
| Connectivity Technology | Wireless, Ethernet |
| Operating System | OpenWrt/LEDE |
| RAM | DDR3L 256MB |
| Flash ROM | 32MB |
| Ethernet Ports | 1 WAN, 2 LAN (Gigabit) |
| USB Port | 1 x USB 3.0 |
8. Warranty and Support
Warranty Information:
The GL.iNet GL-B1300 (Convexa-B) router comes with a 1-year warranty from the date of purchase. Please retain your proof of purchase for warranty claims.
Customer Support:
For technical support, frequently asked questions, and community discussions, please visit the official GL.iNet website and support forums. You can find comprehensive guides and solutions to common issues there.
GL.iNet Official Documentation: https://docs.gl-inet.com/
GL.iNet Support Forum: https://forum.gl-inet.com/
