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awebber
Premium Member
join:2003-04-02
Gloucester, ON

awebber

Premium Member

Connect Primus Canada ATA to Xfinity modem/router?

I'm trying to hook up a Primus TalkBroadband ATA (D-Link) to a newly installed Xfinity modem/router unit.

The internet service is working fine, but the Primus box has been blinking red for a couple of hours (indicates no telephone signal, or no connection to Primus, or something). The ATA was working in Canada 3 days ago, and I'm using the same power adapter and same network cable. I simply plugged it in to the wall and then connected the network cable to one of the wired ports on the modem/router.

I just realized all the other devices (two notebooks, two smartphones) are connected by WiFi but I don't see anything in the router to turn on/off wired connections.

It appears this is the device that Comcast uses for Xfinity Voice, is it posible it blocks all other voice-type devices? That would seem strange.

Any advice on getting it working with this Primus ATA most welcome!

Thanks!
=aw
rendrenner
join:2005-09-03
Grandville, MI

rendrenner

Member

Are you in Canada or the States? Confused since your address shows Canada, yet you state that you have a Xfinity modem.

The modem shouldnt block any other voice traffic. Its router may hav e some settings on it blocking some traffic, but that would not be by default.

If you are in the states and trying to use the Primus box is it possible that it needs to be connecting from a Canadian based IP set?

If you are in Canada then this isnt the correct forum. That Comcast modem became a non Comcast modem the moment it was hooked up and downloaded whatever firmware set came from your ISP

gar187er
I DID this for a living
join:2006-06-24
Seattle, WA

gar187er to awebber

Member

to awebber
is your device even certified by the FCC since its a canadian device??

either way i would wager settings on your device need to be changed.
awebber
Premium Member
join:2003-04-02
Gloucester, ON

awebber

Premium Member

Thank you both, its in Florida. This had worked in past years on Comcast but different modems and separate customer supplied router. The d-link box is set for dhcp. Its traveled to a variety of locations over the years.

I'll check to confirm but i believe its a d-link 1120 (standard Primus issue). I didn't have the d-links password handy but looks like i might have to track it down to make sure. Never had this problem before, that's why i wondered if Comcast might be blocking voip traffic but even that sounds crazy.

=aw

beachintech
There's sand in my tool bag
Premium Member
join:2008-01-06

beachintech

Premium Member

They are not. That box you have from comcast is a router, may need to forward some ports to make your primus connection function.
awebber
Premium Member
join:2003-04-02
Gloucester, ON

awebber

Premium Member

Thanks, I knew it was a router and it seemed a good idea to get it when it was the same rental cost as just-the-modem. Now I'm not so sure (I can't even plug the ATA directly into the modem to make sure it works).

Does this modem/router have fewer user-configurable options than most routers? It seems pretty limited to me, e.g. I can't find MAC filtering, though in the past this ATA has been plugged in to a lot of routers without any real special configuration needed.

The Gateway > At a Glance page seems somewhat unreliable, right now it shows one Android phone connected and the ATA not connected (though I can see the latter's WAN light is on). Meanwhile the Gateway isn't showing my notebook connected, though I'm typing on it now! ... actually, clicking through does show 2 notebooks and 1 android connected, another android not connected (correct) and the ATA not connected (might be right, maybe it timed out trying). Or is the above actually significant?

I've asked on the Primus site if there's any router configuration necessary.

Thanks again! Any other tips most welcome.
BTW, what beach?

=aw

graysonf
MVM
join:1999-07-16
Fort Lauderdale, FL

graysonf

MVM

Unless your needs are truly trivial, you will always be better off with separate bridge-modem and router.

The modem has no user configurable settings other than perhaps a password on the management interface. Just plug it in and forget about it.

The router is where all the complexity is. You can keep changing routers until you are happy without having to replace the modem or even rent one.
awebber
Premium Member
join:2003-04-02
Gloucester, ON

awebber

Premium Member

True, though having only one box seemed a good thing at the time (and the same rental cost). If it weren't for this challenge with the ATA, it would probably have been true, too.

I guess I can say it has to be switched, but that has a cost in (down)time and effort. I'm hoping to at least get this working, the only needs right now are for basic connectivity (wired and wireless) and to get this ATA working.

=aw

graysonf
MVM
join:1999-07-16
Fort Lauderdale, FL

graysonf

MVM

As far as rental cost goes, you can buy your own modem, brand new in box, for about a year's rental fee. After that, you are saving $7.00/month.

A CableLabs certified modem is portable and will work on any service in the country. Your investment is protected.
awebber
Premium Member
join:2003-04-02
Gloucester, ON

1 edit

awebber

Premium Member

For that matter, I could rent a modem for the same price as this Gateway and use the TrendNet router that was used last year. But I found that router a challenge to work (it's cheap after all).

Right now, I'm hoping I can get this ATA working with the hardware I have. If I can, that should be the fastest solution. Second fastest would be to swap the $7/mo gateway with a $7/mo modem and use the TrendNet router, possibly with the ATA between modem and router. But my first choice is not to put any more money into it and get the existing hardware working.

Thanks!
=aw
awebber

awebber

Premium Member

Two questions specific to the Gateway:

1. Under "Advanced", Port Forwarding is Disabled, Port Triggering is Disabled, DMZ is Disabled, and Device Discovery has both options Enabled.

Are these the default settings? With no values in the tables, does disabled/enabled make a difference for PF and PT?

2. dhcp seems to be cycling more than I'd expect. Is this normal?

dhcpd: DHCP server started, 15:19:38, 2012-12-17 System Logs
dhcpd: DHCP server stopped, 15:19:38, 2012-12-17 System Logs
dhcpd: DHCP server started, 14:32:27, 2012-12-17 System Logs
dhcpd: DHCP server stopped, 14:32:27, 2012-12-17 System Logs
dhcpd: DHCP server received REQUEST from 00:00:00:00:00:00, 14:31:15, 2012-12-17 System Logs
dhcpd: DHCP server received REQUEST from 00:00:00:00:00:00, 13:50:35, 2012-12-17 System Logs
dhcpd: DHCP server started, 13:47:34, 2012-12-17 System Logs
dhcpd: DHCP server stopped, 13:47:34, 2012-12-17 System Logs
dhcpd: DHCP server started, 13:47:25, 2012-12-17 System Logs
dhcpd: DHCP server stopped, 13:47:24, 2012-12-17 System Logs
dhcpd: DHCP server received REQUEST from FF:00:00:00:00:00, 13:18:51, 2012-12-17 System Logs
dhcpd: DHCP server received REQUEST from 00:00:00:00:00:00, 13:16:36, 2012-12-17 System Logs
 

where 00:00:00:00:00:00 is the MAC address for the ATA, and FF:00:00:00:00:00 is the MAC address for one of the Android phones. Not the real MAC addresses of course.

Is it normal to dhcp to start and stop so frequently?

Thanks!
=aw

NetFixer
From My Cold Dead Hands
Premium Member
join:2004-06-24
The Boro
Netgear CM500
Pace 5268AC
TRENDnet TEW-829DRU

NetFixer

Premium Member

said by awebber:

Two questions specific to the Gateway:

1. Under "Advanced", Port Forwarding is Disabled, Port Triggering is Disabled, DMZ is Disabled, and Device Discovery has both options Enabled.

Are these the default settings? With no values in the tables, does disabled/enabled make a difference for PF and PT?

2. dhcp seems to be cycling more than I'd expect. Is this normal?

dhcpd: DHCP server started, 15:19:38, 2012-12-17 System Logs
dhcpd: DHCP server stopped, 15:19:38, 2012-12-17 System Logs
dhcpd: DHCP server started, 14:32:27, 2012-12-17 System Logs
dhcpd: DHCP server stopped, 14:32:27, 2012-12-17 System Logs
dhcpd: DHCP server received REQUEST from 00:00:00:00:00:00, 14:31:15, 2012-12-17 System Logs
dhcpd: DHCP server received REQUEST from 00:00:00:00:00:00, 13:50:35, 2012-12-17 System Logs
dhcpd: DHCP server started, 13:47:34, 2012-12-17 System Logs
dhcpd: DHCP server stopped, 13:47:34, 2012-12-17 System Logs
dhcpd: DHCP server started, 13:47:25, 2012-12-17 System Logs
dhcpd: DHCP server stopped, 13:47:24, 2012-12-17 System Logs
dhcpd: DHCP server received REQUEST from FF:00:00:00:00:00, 13:18:51, 2012-12-17 System Logs
dhcpd: DHCP server received REQUEST from 00:00:00:00:00:00, 13:16:36, 2012-12-17 System Logs
 

where 00:00:00:00:00:00 is the MAC address for the ATA, and FF:00:00:00:00:00 is the MAC address for one of the Android phones. Not the real MAC addresses of course.

Is it normal to dhcp to start and stop so frequently?

Thanks!
=aw

Personally, I can't think of any reason (other than the gateway rebooting) for its DHCP server to stop/start period. To me that is a clear indication that your cable gateway box is either defective or has a serious design flaw.
awebber
Premium Member
join:2003-04-02
Gloucester, ON

awebber

Premium Member

A friend can lend us an SB5100 modem to try (he bought it new and used it on comcast, in case they're ever locked). Should this work with Blast! service?

Thanks!
=aw

EG
The wings of love
Premium Member
join:2006-11-18
Union, NJ

EG

Premium Member

said by awebber:

A friend can lend us an SB5100 modem to try (he bought it new and used it on comcast, in case they're ever locked). Should this work with Blast! service?

It will work if the Blast speeds in your area are not yet upgraded to 50 Mbps down. In order to be able to get that much speed, the multiple channel bonding of DOCSIS 3 is required.

NetFixer
From My Cold Dead Hands
Premium Member
join:2004-06-24
The Boro
Netgear CM500
Pace 5268AC
TRENDnet TEW-829DRU

1 edit

NetFixer to awebber

Premium Member

to awebber
said by awebber:

A friend can lend us an SB5100 modem to try (he bought it new and used it on comcast, in case they're ever locked). Should this work with Blast! service?

Thanks!
=aw

It will probably physically work, but if it is already activated for your friend's account, it will either show up as being used by your friend (and possibly cause problems for him), or you will have to go through the hassle of trying to get Comcast to transfer ownership of the modem to your account and reactivate it for your account.

Also, I am not sure exactly what physical speed tier is used by the "Blast" marketing name in your area (each area uses different standards), but it may not be able to supply the full speed that you are expecting since it is a DOCSIS2 modem and can't do channel bonding.

EDIT:
I hope that the TRENDnet router that you mentioned using in a previous post in this thread doesn't use the Mayan calendar like the one I use for my AT&T backup connection. I recently discovered that it won't allow me to enter any dates past December 2012 for its internal clock when trying to setup its Daylight Saving settings for next year. I fully expect that I may have to replace it after this year's Winter Solstice.
awebber
Premium Member
join:2003-04-02
Gloucester, ON

awebber

Premium Member

Thank you both. The friend did bring over the modem but i don't know if it's tied to his account, he probably upgraded to docsis 3 or xfinity voice. I'm actually not too worried about getting the full 50 (as it's advertised here) at this point, seeing the ATA working would be enough.

Btw we called Primus and they said the Comcast boxes with voice can cause trouble, he seemed to think Comcast blocked other voip services. That said, we don't actually have xfinity voice and the gateway says there's no battery which i take as a sign that it might be physically different.

Any suggestions for what else I can try preferably without buying any hardware?

Thanks!
=aw

NetFixer
From My Cold Dead Hands
Premium Member
join:2004-06-24
The Boro
Netgear CM500
Pace 5268AC
TRENDnet TEW-829DRU

1 edit

NetFixer

Premium Member

said by awebber:

Thank you both. The friend did bring over the modem but i don't know if it's tied to his account, he probably upgraded to docsis 3 or xfinity voice. I'm actually not too worried about getting the full 50 (as it's advertised here) at this point, seeing the ATA working would be enough.

Btw we called Primus and they said the Comcast boxes with voice can cause trouble, he seemed to think Comcast blocked other voip services. That said, we don't actually have xfinity voice and the gateway says there's no battery which i take as a sign that it might be physically different.

Any suggestions for what else I can try preferably without buying any hardware?

Thanks!
=aw

Your friend can log into his Comcast account at »customer.comcast.com/Pub ··· ome.aspx to see if the SB5100 is still registered for his account. If not, you should be able to easily activate it for your account either through the walled garden, or by calling Comcast support.

If you can activate that modem for your account (or even temporarily use it with your friend's account if it works and does not ask to be activated); that will at least verify that there is not some new problem with the Primus ATA or their ability to use it on a non-Canadian IP address. If that test works, then you should be able to then trade your leased gateway for a leased DOCSIS3 standard modem and use your existing router as before (or just keep using the SB5100 if it can be activated for your account, and you can live with the lower downstream bandwidth).
awebber
Premium Member
join:2003-04-02
Gloucester, ON

awebber

Premium Member

We did plug in the SB5100 to see what would happen (famous last words, I know, but we survived it ).

Ended up with all 4 lights solid (power, receive, send, online) which I think means it was synced. Plugged in the ATA and still had the blinking red light.

I logged in to our Comcast account now and it shows the SB5100 belonging to us, along with the "Arris Interactive, L.L.C. TG862G" modem/router. I guess we own the SB5100 now.

Back where we started, the modem/router is cranking out 50/10 (theoretically) and the ATA status light is blinking red. I guess next step is to contact Comcast but I'm reluctant to do that (I figure the advice here is already 3rd-tier, so why go back to deleting my cache and clearing my cookies and restarting Windows?).

I may not be able to do that tonight, so any additional advice will be appreciated.

Thanks again!
=aw

NetFixer
From My Cold Dead Hands
Premium Member
join:2004-06-24
The Boro
Netgear CM500
Pace 5268AC
TRENDnet TEW-829DRU

NetFixer

Premium Member

said by awebber:

We did plug in the SB5100 to see what would happen (famous last words, I know, but we survived it ).

Ended up with all 4 lights solid (power, receive, send, online) which I think means it was synced. Plugged in the ATA and still had the blinking red light.

I logged in to our Comcast account now and it shows the SB5100 belonging to us, along with the "Arris Interactive, L.L.C. TG862G" modem/router. I guess we own the SB5100 now.

Back where we started, the modem/router is cranking out 50/10 (theoretically) and the ATA status light is blinking red. I guess next step is to contact Comcast but I'm reluctant to do that (I figure the advice here is already 3rd-tier, so why go back to deleting my cache and clearing my cookies and restarting Windows?).

I may not be able to do that tonight, so any additional advice will be appreciated.

Thanks again!
=aw

Have you tried doing a push button factory default reset on the ATA (assuming that it has such a button)?

I have on multiple occasions had both AT&T CallVantage and Vonage push (or attempt to push) firmware "upgrades" to their respective ATAs that turned them into expensive plastic doorstops until I did a push button factory default reset on the ATAs. If your Primus ATA does automatic provisioning, and does not normally require you to manually enter the voice config data, a factory default reset might just "wake it up".
awebber
Premium Member
join:2003-04-02
Gloucester, ON

awebber

Premium Member

In the time since the last post, we've added Xfinity Voice @$20/mo to the account. If necessary we can leave it like that, but getting the Primus working would be better. Someone else has a Primus box they no longer use and I can try getting Primus to change the service (based on MACID) to that.

However, is there any way to put the TG862G into Bridge Mode? I can't find anything on any menu, nor can I find it in the limited documentation online? If I understand correctly, Bridge Mode will turn it into just a modem? Then I can hook up the Primus ATA to the modem which was working on a Canadian ISP in early December.

Thanks!
=aw

[sorry, forgot to say I think the current Primus firmware is from 2005. ]

NetFixer
From My Cold Dead Hands
Premium Member
join:2004-06-24
The Boro
Netgear CM500
Pace 5268AC
TRENDnet TEW-829DRU

NetFixer

Premium Member

said by awebber:

However, is there any way to put the TG862G into Bridge Mode? I can't find anything on any menu, nor can I find it in the limited documentation online? If I understand correctly, Bridge Mode will turn it into just a modem? Then I can hook up the Primus ATA to the modem which was working on a Canadian ISP in early December.

Thanks!
=aw

[sorry, forgot to say I think the current Primus firmware is from 2005. ]

I think that Comcast keeps their gateway boxes locked down tightly, and you will have to contact Comcast support and request that the TG862G be put into bridge mode remotely. However, didn't you already try the ATA behind a Motorola SB5100, and it didn't work?
awebber
Premium Member
join:2003-04-02
Gloucester, ON

awebber

Premium Member

Yes you're right I did (you have better memory than I ) but I don't think I did much troubleshooting with the SB5100. Was thinking I might get Primus to switch the account to the 2102 (it's a relative's so we can probably keep it) and do it all again, in case it's the specific D-Link DVG-1120.

=aw