US Telco Support > Frontier Communications > [DSL] Cisco 677 Replacement Setup?

[DSL] Cisco 677 Replacement Setup?

It sounds like you did not place the replacement DLink modem in bridge mode? What is model of the DLink modem?

reply to Bo3b
Unless the DLink 2540B modem was vastly less expensive, I'd have gone with the DSL-2750B Wireless N ADSL2+ Modem Router and saved yourself the headache of bridging to the Netgear WNDR3700. That would free up the Netgear for a possible secondary wireless access point if you needed additional coverage to any "dead zones" in the home. Plug a set of powerline adapters into the respective wall sockets, and set up a secondary access point if needs be. Since the Netgear WNDR3700 is a higher end solution with some really nice features, I'd be checking the Support forums for help on the successfully bridging your new D-Link ADSL2+ to it.

You're right - knowing what I *think* I know now, I probably could have taken a different approach. My initial thought was to replace the Cisco with as similar device as possible. The dLink 2540B seemed a good option plus added a few extra wired LAN ports. The selection of DSL modems seems very limited, not an area manufactures focus on.

I knew that I'd probably need to tweak a few settings or talk with Frontier tech support to get this done but never expected it to be this complicated.

I'm curious, what do others do in this situation? Simply accept Frontier issued modems and rental fees? And if so, does Frontier field support set everything up - including integration with wireless? What modem is Frontier issuing these days to new customers?

And FWIW, when I ask Netgear for help they point to dLink and vice versa... Is there a good online resource to learn about more advanced "home networking"?

Thanks for the reply,
Bob

reply to Hank

Re: [DSL] Cisco 677 Replacement Setup?

If the DLink is in bridged mode you simply connect the Netgear WAN port to one of the LAN ports on the DLink and it should pull the IP from the ISP. The Netgear box would handle DHCP for the LAN. But other than the Cisco being in bridged mode how is the LAN side of it setup, is it DHCP or static IP?

Can you do an ipconfig/all when you have the Cisco/Netgear online and post it?

With the Cisco in place, the Netgear is DHCP server.

Can I use the dLink in the needed bridge mode direct hardwire connected to PC? At this point, I'm thinking that solving in pieces and proving modem is actually working before adding router might be useful.

I apologize for all the seemingly simple questions but it's difficult to experiment with this stuff and not screw up current working config...

Thanks again,
Bob

I would second Strider7Sfga suggestion that you use the DLink as the router and the Netgear as the wireless AP.

Where can I find instructions on how to setup using Wireless AP strategy? Any impact on performance? Or security?

Bob

reply to Bo3b
Frontier sets up everything in the modem. The current modem they issue is a net gear 7550 modem router, setting up the modem is easy although it requires a ppoe code.

reply to Bo3b
Steps to consider prior to placing the new D-Link into service.
A.) Different regions have varying dhcp protocols. EG: Here in East Ohio, East region, it's ADSL2+, PPPoE, Fastpath, etc..

1. Did you release the ip (disconnect) with the Cisco 677 and Netgear before trying to set up the D-Link? If not, the existing lease time is still in place.(usually 24 hrs.) Copy down the (all to be safe,) various settings you have in the Cisco 677 as a guide for settings in the new D-Link.

2. Release Ip. Power off. Remove the Cisco 677 and Place the D-link into service. Press the default reset button to clear any previous settings in the D-Link and Go through the setup wizard process. If successful, (have WAN internet access,) proceed to bridging the Netgear as WAN/LAN and wireless broadcast.
I would presume the setup would be similar to your previous setup.

3. If the process fails, I'd check the Netgear forums for help getting bridged mode set up properly. Frontier techs will not support non-frontier issue modems. try forum1(dot)netgear(dot)com

The support pages and FAQ's also contain Wireless Access Point setup instructions if you want to go that route as well. You will still have the performance your Netgear has to offer as well as it's built in security feature set.

Thanks for taking the time to help, I really appreciate it...

As I now understand things, with the dLink running in bridge mode its extra LAN ports and other firmware features will be disabled. Seems a waste and I chose the wrong modem. Apparently I really want a simple "dedicated" modem. I'd welcome recommendations.

I'll look into AP strategy but doesn't that approach come with some serious disadvantages? Seems I remember reading something about WEP only security and reduced wireless bandwidth?

Depending on when and where you purchased the D-Link 2540B, you may want to check on an RMA, or if they offer it, trade-up options to the DSL-2750B Wireless N ADSL2+ Modem Router that will provide you with ADSL2+ Modem as well as Wireless N.

I previously had the frontier branded, Westell (prior to Netgear buyout,)7500 /wireless G, but wanted a better, wireless N capable ADSL2+ modem/gateway. I purchased an Actiontec GT784WN about a year and a half ago and have no regrets. It is vastly Superior to the 7500 as well as the current Netgear 7550-N that Frontier ships to customers for the extortive rate of $84.00+ per year for rental / support. I went so far as to purchase a Frontier branded, Netgear 7550-N, (new in the box from a third party retail/auction site,) to run comparison tests between it and the Actiontec. No contest. As you can see, I'm no fan of mass produced, craptastic electronics from China. The only positive I can offer on the Netgear 7550-N is that it does offer a dual internal antenna, wireless N transciever, but from my observations, it's several firmware updates away from being more than what it currently is, A cheap, mass produced POS.

As to the Wireless Access Point strategy, you could still set up the Netgear WNDR3700, but only if you need the additional coverage to any dead zones. I opted for the use of Powerline adapters and hardwired various devices to them. You can also use Powerline Adapters to hook up the Netgear as a secondary access point, but only if you really need to. My rule of thumb is, less equipment, less headache, less networking troubleshooting problems.

Yeah, as I tried to learn more about my various options, I decided it made sense to have some hardware in hand so I ordered the 2540B with a 60 day return privilege. The problem is what now... Adding a DSL modem with wireless would seem to complicate my situation even more given my existing WNDR3700.

One thing that occurs to me with the AP strategy - Once you setup any device, like my WNDR3700, to bypass the WAN port all firmware features like QoS, Traffic Meters, Security and other important options (that contributed to the price of the device) become unused and wasted.

This shouldn't be this hard. I'm reasonably competent at this sort of thing and can't imagine what the more typical home DSL customer would do in this situation. I guess just accept a Frontier provided modem and rental fee.

And it also bugs me that I started this whole mess because, in my opinion at least, my DSL service was poor. At one time it made more sense to have async speeds because life on the internet was primarily one-way - info down to the customer. Now, with "cloud" strategies, that isn't necessarily true for many people and paltry upload speeds of about 30kbps like I'm seeing can be painful. However Frontier says that 70% of promised and paid for rates are OK with them...

Maybe it's time for cable...