US Telco Support > CenturyLink > [CenturyTel] Modem without Router

[CenturyTel] Modem without Router

I use the now discontinued Westell model E90-610015 modem/router (available used on ebay for $10 or less) in bridge mode with my Linksys WRT54GS router.

Most, if not all, DSL modems are routers that can be configured with bridge mode.

It is my understanding that cable modems are routers and cannot be configured as bridges because the cable companies do not allow it. If so, your Linksys router should be usable even with a DSL modem configured as a router.

reply to simbey1982

reply to simbey1982
Haven't tried with CenturyLink DSL, but my Verizon DSL modem died, I'm very happy with the Linksys E4200 router behind it, and wanted to stay away from double-NAT etc.

Couldn't find a modem-only, but bought an Actiontec GT784WN DSL modem/wireless N router, it works fine in bridge-only mode.

I bought it at a large B&M electronics retailer with a 30 day refund, they said bring back if doesn't work in bridge mode. Has been solid and reliable, haven't had to reboot once (unlike original Verizon-badged Westell that wanted a reboot once every 3-8 weeks).

Will likely be in a place later this month (South Phoenix) that does have Centurylilnk 40/20mb (at least per their web site when I type in address), their web site lists lease or purchase at $99.99 as only two modem options, hopefully I can do neither and just supply my own, will find out when I order (unless I do Cox, but 40/20 sounds awfully good if it's reliable).

Hopefully my Actiontec will work fine with 40/20 (I currently have 3.0/768 ATM, painful I know).

your Actiontec GT784WN should work fine, try to remember to take your quick start guide to configure for "all other service providers". You can supply your own DSL modem.

reply to simbey1982
So just today i now have a new option of 7MB in my area...however the compatible modems list changes to VDSL modems....hmm anyone know any good VDSL modems that are wired only and as barebones as possible to fit in my setup?

Look on eBay for the Q100. It's just a VDSL modem that you can put in bridge mode. It's too bad, for I just sold one.

EDIT: Is CL's 7mbps service VDSL or ADSL?
--
"Is there a 50's Cafe around here"?

reply to simbey1982
Well...according to the Century Tel online help agent the data service is ATM. Apparently they have no understanding of the OSI Model and it took me a few minutes of probing for her to tell me that the 7MB is "Not" avail in my area and if it was it "might" be ADSL

I just had CenturyLink ADSL installed. They sent me a rental ZyXEL EQ-660R-F1 combination modem router which I am replacing, to avoid the $3.90 Rental fee. I recommend using the rental modem until you can decide if you are satisfied with the service.

I am satisfied with CenturyLinks service so I purchased a ZyXEL P-660R-D1 from Buy.com and an Actiontec GT710D from Amazon.com. I want to have two modems in case I place a trouble call and a technician claims that the modem is defective. Both units are on the CenturyLink supported modems list and can be placed in the bridge mode. The one disappointment about the retail ZyXEL P-660 that I received appears to be new old stock that has been setting on the shelf for a long time. On the other hand the Actiontec I received was updated by the manufacture to the latest firmware and included the latest support CD-ROM.

Be aware that unlike Cable Modems, once an ADSL modem is placed in the bridged mode it is impossible to access the modems web pages. In order to recover access the web pages one must reset the modem to factory defaults using the reset button and procedure. I found that both units perform as well as the CenturyLink rental modem. I signed up for 10Mbps down and 768Kbps up. During off peak hours with all three units, I get 10+Mbps down and 760Kbps up.

The Zyxel modems are a mature product that rarely need to be updated, especially if they are in bridge mode. The latest firmware for the model you purchased was released in May of 2010.

The modems can be accessed when in bridge mode. You just have to set a static IP on your PC and connect it to the modem. The Zyxel modems usually give you a message about this when you place them in bridge mode.

reply to simbey1982
I started with CL back in October. They installed their "7500" combo modem/router and my Davis Instruments weather station would rarely send out data correctly. Davis told me to ask for just a modem and use the LinkSys wireless router I used before I got CL. So I exchanged for a "660". That got the weather station back on-line with about 95% successful data uploads. Still not as reliable as it was when I had "way2slow" HughesNet.

reply to billaustin
Bill, I appreciate your response. The modem that I purchased came with 340ANJ3D0 firmware installed, dated 6/25/2009. I have been unable to find an update to add the same radio buttons that are on the modem supplied by CenturyLink. They release and renew the IP address and switch the modem to the bridged mode. The modem rejects any of the other firmware listed for the P-660R-D1 on the download page.

I believe that the unit I purchased was on the shelf a very long time. The Installation CD, cannot be installed on my Laptop with a Vista operating system. It stalls and a small window pops up saying that a file cannot be accessed. It is probably only compatible with XP. I still have to contact ZyXEL to find out if they have an installation CD that is compatible with W7, Vista and XP. Since I got the modem configured it I am satisfied with it but prefer the CenturyLink features.

ZyXEL technical support sent me instructions on how to Telnet into the modem and reconfigure it to the bridged mode. I later found a drop down box on the WAN configuration page of the P-660 to switch to the bridge mode, but no way to release the IP address first. I am surprised that CenturyLink does not offer a modem purchase option. I have always owned my cable modem and over the last 10 Years I saved about $700.00 after subtracting the purchase price of the cable modems.

Can you post a picture of the p-660 wan configuration page
Can you also post a picture of the page that has the radio buttons
And the page that is missing the radio buttons

reply to Mr Matt
If you really want a CL branded modem, I've got a few extra lying around. You should also be able to pick one up on ebay for a decent price.

reply to simbey1982
Hey Corey - sounds like you got the answers you were looking for, please let me know if there is anything I can help with or that you have not got answered.

TalkToUs@Centurylink.com
@CenturylinkHelp

Thanks,
Rich
Centurylink Help Team

reply to billaustin
Actually all I want is a modem with the same release, renew and change to bridge mode radio buttons as the CenturyLink. The other solution would be if ZyXEL could supply a firmware upgrade that added this feature to the modem I purchased.

Did CenturyLink ever sell their modems at retail? When I first moved to this area in 2007, Best Buy and Circuit City had displays of modems marked compatible the various broadband providers. I know there were certain modems for sale that had the AT&T logo and were only compatible with AT&T DSL. There might have even been modems marked compatible with Sprint.

How would one purchasing a used CenturyLink modem determine if the modem was a retail unit or still owned by CenturyLink. When I lived in South Florida, Adelphia and Comcast Cable had a scorched earth policy. I was an Adelphia customer and learned that if I bought a modem at a garage sale, that was an Adelphia rental modem, they would activate it and charge the subscriber the monthly rental fee even though they paid who they believed was the owner of it. Furthermore if I purchased a retail modem at a garage sale, if the previous owner had any issue with nonpayment with an amount as little as a couple of dollars, the modem would be black listed and Adelphia or Comcast would not activate it. Does CenturyLink enforce the same type of policy if a customer unwittingly purchases a rental modem or the previous owner of a modem purchased at retail had an issue with non payment?

DSL and Cable modems are quite different. Think of a DSL modem as just another telephone device that connects to the line. They are not tracked by the providers, and can be used with any compatible service. You just plug the modem in and configure it to match the ISP. As long as the service is active on the line, it will work.

reply to Mr Matt

CenturyLink EQ-660P-F1 Diagnostics

ZyXEL Retail P-660R-P1

Ok...thanks for posting the pictures