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

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

ocha-no-mizu — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 16:04:33 -0800

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.

By: hal_c_on

hal_c_on — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 16:10:46 -0800

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.

By: philomathoholic

philomathoholic — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 16:20:19 -0800

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).

By: gog

gog — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 16:24:20 -0800

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.

By: fullerine

fullerine — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 16:34:19 -0800

[deletes long-winded repeat of post above]

What gog says. You will have to have their cable modem though.

By: tehloki

tehloki — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 16:38:30 -0800

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.

By: tehloki

tehloki — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 16:38:52 -0800

*or your existing router?

By: Chuckles

Chuckles — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 16:41:58 -0800

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

Almost, see gog's answer.
No clarification necessary.

By: devbrain

devbrain — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 16:58:57 -0800

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.

By: ocha-no-mizu

ocha-no-mizu — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 18:29:08 -0800

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.

By: damn dirty ape

damn dirty ape — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 20:47:57 -0800

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.

By: damn dirty ape

damn dirty ape — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 20:50:49 -0800

18 dollars shipped.

By: Chuckles

Chuckles — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 22:27:16 -0800

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.

By: dripped

dripped — Sat, 31 Jan 2009 15:43:29 -0800

the term your are looking for I believe is to set your dsl modem into bridge mode. Some can, some can't.

By: ocha-no-mizu

ocha-no-mizu — Sun, 01 Feb 2009 06:49:13 -0800

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.