Can I use my DSL modem/router to act only as a wireless router?

January 30, 2009 4:04 PM

Can I use my DSL modem/router to act only as a wireless router?

I'm replacing my DSL service with cable internet. Instead of paying for the cable company's wireless router, I'd rather use my existing DSL modem/router if I can. Is it as simple as plugging the cable modem into the DSL modem/router?

For what it's worth, my DSL modem/router is a 2wire 2700HG-B.

posted by ocha-no-mizu to computers & internet (14 answers total)

So wait, you have DSL, and now you are switching to "cable modem". Is that correct? I don't know, but I do know that when you get a new cable modem, or dsl modem, the company records the mac address of it to activate it.
posted by hal_c_on at 4:10 PM on January 30, 2009

No, a DSL modem cannot be used as a Cable modem. First of all, they have different connections (coaxial vs RJ-45), secondly, the protocol is bound to be different (the modulating and demodulating).
posted by philomathoholic at 4:20 PM on January 30, 2009

If the cable company is providing a wired router and you simply wish to use the 2wire to add wireless then you may be able to do this.

Hook the cable modem up to one of the lan ports on the 2wire, disable DHCP on the 2wire and configure it for the same IP range as your cable modems private address range but not with the same address.

IE Cable modem is 192.168.10.1
2Wire 192.168.10.2

Have your computers use the Cable modem for their gateway.

No guarantees.
posted by gog at 4:24 PM on January 30, 2009

[deletes long-winded repeat of post above]

What gog says. You will have to have their cable modem though.
posted by fullerine at 4:34 PM on January 30, 2009

We need some clarification. Are you asking if you can use your existing DSL modem, or your existing ? They are two separate pieces of hardware, not some sort of x/y amalgamation like how you're phrasing it.

If you're asking whether or not you can use your router with your cable modem, yes you can. You can simply leave all local computer connections intact and plug the cable coming out of your router's WAN port into the cable modem instead of the DSL modem.
posted by tehloki at 4:38 PM on January 30, 2009

*or your existing router?
posted by tehloki at 4:38 PM on January 30, 2009

Is it as simple as plugging the cable modem into the DSL modem/router?

Almost, see gog's answer.
No clarification necessary.
posted by Chuckles at 4:41 PM on January 30, 2009

Depending on the model, some of the dsl+wireless do not have upstream ethernet (just upstream DSL). So you can't plug it into your wired cable modem, and doing what gog said is curiously optimistic.

This looks like the manual for it http://www.2wire.com/pages/pdfs/5100-000326-000.Rev.A.pdf which reminds me of the 2wire I had. Junky, and I don't recall it being able to be used as you want.
posted by devbrain at 4:58 PM on January 30, 2009

Thanks everyone, and sorry if my question was a bit vague. Yes, I realise that I can't use the DSL modem as a cable modem. But the DSL modem is also a wireless router, which I'd like to take advantage of by using it conjunction with the cable modem. I'll try what gog suggested once I get my cable set up next week.
posted by ocha-no-mizu at 6:29 PM on January 30, 2009

The real issue is that you are not using a router in this scenario. Gog's suggestion only works if the cable company is giving you a router.

Its easy to just use your old wireless router as a WAP, but there needs to be working router in that equation.
posted by damn dirty ape at 8:47 PM on January 30, 2009

18 dollars shipped.
posted by damn dirty ape at 8:50 PM on January 30, 2009

Gog's suggestion only works if the cable company is giving you a router.

Ahh.. Every DSL modem made in the last 6 years has had built in routing capability. Many with only one Ethernet port, but that doesn't matter. Unfortunately for gog's scheme, it looks like cable modems aren't as versatile.

So ya, I guess you need a router with a WAN port to connect to the cable modem. Find your local Value Village, you'll probably get one for under $5.
posted by Chuckles at 10:27 PM on January 30, 2009

the term your are looking for I believe is to set your dsl modem into bridge mode. Some can, some can't.
posted by dripped at 3:43 PM on January 31, 2009

So if I understand correctly, I can use the 2wire as a WAP, but not as a router. After a call to the cable company, it seems that the cable modem they're providing does not have routing capabilities. So an option is to buy a wired router to use like this:

Cable modem --> Wired router --> WAP (2wire)

I think what I might do instead is sell the 2wire and just buy a wireless router, for simplicity's sake.
posted by ocha-no-mizu at 6:49 AM on February 1, 2009