Using Qwest DSL Modem/Wireless Router on Cable System

[jcage@lycos.com]

My folks just moved from Qwest DSL & associated Direct TV to cable
because of the costs. A couple of years ago, they'd purchased their
DSL modem/router which prompts the question... Will that DSL modem/
router work on their cable system? A new cable modem was installed
but they're anxious to get the wireless back up so if that DSL
wireless modem/router combo would work for this, that would be great.
Anyone else been down this path before? TIA

[Brian Cryer]

<jcage@lycos.com> wrote in message
news:b3611ae7-0720-4a78-8dc4-10fc7195b4da@j18g2000yqd.googlegroups.com...
> My folks just moved from Qwest DSL & associated Direct TV to cable
> because of the costs. A couple of years ago, they'd purchased their
> DSL modem/router which prompts the question... Will that DSL modem/
> router work on their cable system? A new cable modem was installed
> but they're anxious to get the wireless back up so if that DSL
> wireless modem/router combo would work for this, that would be great.
> Anyone else been down this path before? TIA

The DSL modem expects a phone connection, and you no longer have one.

However, I don't see any reason why you can't use it. Your old DSL router
can be used as a switch/hub and you can chain hubs & switches together -
simply plug a network cable in a port on both your new and old routers.
(There is a limit to how many switches & hubs can be chained together in
this manner, but you won't hit that limit at home.)

Gotchas to be aware of:

1. You'll probably get away with a normal network cable, but its possible
that you might need a crossover cable. If in doubt go out and buy a
crossover cable. Many switches are auto-sensing and should automatically
adjust to you plugging one switch into another, but if both of your routers
aren't that clever then you'll need a cross-over cable.

2. Both your new and old routers will no doubt have DHCP enabled. This is
what gives out IP addresses to each of the devices/computers in your
network. You will only want DHCP enabled on one, so I'd suggest logging into
the old DSL router and disabling its DHCP.

3. Your IP address range for the cable router might be different from the IP
address range for the DSL router. (Say 192.168.1.* and 192.168.0.*.) Or you
might find that both routers want to use the same IP address. Again, I'd
connect to the old DSL router and somewhere in its configuration you should
be able to change the IP address that it is using.

So, yes you should be able to do it, but it could be fiddly to get all the
configuration done - although fine after that.

Hope this helps.
--
Brian Cryer
http://www.cryer.co.uk/brian