dcp7451
join:2001-03-01
Social Circle, GA | [Modem] Westell ProLine 6100 DSL Modem Router: Model C90-6
Saw one on EBay...any "real" advantages over the standard FastAccess Westell 6100?
Have a wonderful 2005!:)
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Quantum mechanics...the dreams stuff is made of. |
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jtudor
Xm 60's On 6 Freak
Premium,MVM
join:2002-12-07
Morganton, NC | Need the rest of the model number to be able to say.
C90-6100XX-XX |
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dcp7451
join:2001-03-01
Social Circle, GA
| reply to dcp7451
Rest of the story:
Model C90-610011
Westell ProLine Dual Connect NAT Router in like-new condition -- Model Number C90-610011-06
(According to the vendor on EBay):
The Advantages of the 610011
Here are some of the ways this 610011 differs from some of the other 6100 models recently listed on eBay:
**This 610011 is a C90 series modem, a newer gerneration of the 6100 product line than the B90-610030 being sold on eBay. BellSouth has begun distributing the newer C90-610030 series, but it is too new to be widely available, if at all, on eBay. The C90-6100 series has a newer chipset; it's the Texas Instruments AR7 version 2.0.
**Since this is a 610011 rather than a BellSouth-specific 610030, the firmware on this modem is generic rather than ISP-specific. This means that every feature listed in the data sheet is available on the 610011, as contrasted with the crippled firmware of the BellSouth B90-610030-06.
For instance, the BellSouth 610030 only supports PPPoE and bridged Ethernet connections, while the 610011 supports, in addition to PPPoE and bridged Ethernet, the PPPoA and Classical IPoA protocols. This means, for example, that the 610011 can be used on Qwest PPPoA DMT lines while the 610030 cannot be. (Firmware upgrades for the 610030 have added PPPoA and routed bridge mode support to the 610030.)
**Another difference is that, contrary to the claims of some eBay listings for the BellSouth 610030, the 610030 does not have an integrated stateful inspected packet filtering firewall. It is not a feature which is merely disabled in the BellSouth 610030; it is missing, both in the B90-610030 and the newer C90-610030, even with the firmware upgrades. The 610011 listed here does have the integrated firewall, with a choice of settings, and the ability to be customized. Just add an inexpensive hub or switch, and you have a nifty NAT router/modem combination, complete with stateful packet firewall, to connect several boxes at once to the Net.
**Most current Westell 6100 models do not have a power switch. As you can make out from the photograph, this one has a rocker power switch for added convenience.
True or false...?
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Quantum mechanics...the dreams stuff is made of. |
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jtudor
Xm 60's On 6 Freak
Premium,MVM
join:2002-12-07
Morganton, NC
 ·AT&T Southeast
| reply to dcp7451
The generic Westell modems are always in high demand for power users. Whether you will get any real benefit yourself from this model over the crippled Bellsouth model will depend on how you plan to use your connection.
This model is going to offer many more configuration options, which will be of benefit to power users, gamers etc.
If you are just doing e-mail and surfing the web, the standard BellSouth model should work fine for you.
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Best of luck
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I will love my ANGEL until the end of time. She is my Princess.
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barton44
join:2004-01-17
Macon, GA | Re: [Modem] Westell ProLine 6100 DSL Modem Router:
I have the BellSouth 610030-06 and have mine hooked to a switch. So you're saying it is a router but with no firewall protection?
(BTW, it works great and is much more stable than my old 3Comm PCI.) |
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jazzman916
Life on the Upbeat
Premium,Mod
join:2001-09-01
Birdland
clubs:
 ·surpasshosting
·Hosting Zoom
Host:
Virtual Private Ne..
Satellite Radio
AT&T Southeast
Wireless Security
| said by barton44  :I have the BellSouth 610030-06 and have mine hooked to a switch. So you're saying it is a router but with no firewall protection? In this configuration the Westell is serving as a NAT which by NAT's very nature it will block unrequested inbound connection attempts. However, I'd still recommend a software solution on all connected PCs.
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"The goal of Computer Science is to build something that will last at least until we've finished building it."- Anonymous |
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barton44
join:2004-01-17
Macon, GA
| I remember calling BellSouth tech support in 2000 and asking if I needed a firewall. I had read on the internet about them. They said no. So I immediately downloaded Zone Alarm. It's version 2.1.44 and I still use it on all of my computers. The newest version isn't as good (IMHO). Plus, with AVG, Spybot, AdAware and the Westell NAT I hope will be enough.
I guess Bellsouth now thinks that if no one ever installs a firewall, the NAT is better than nothing. But, what would be their reason for disabling this model? Would it make it more difficult to set up? |
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jtudor
Xm 60's On 6 Freak
Premium,MVM
join:2002-12-07
Morganton, NC
·AT&T Southeast
| said by barton44 :But, what would be their reason for disabling this model? Would it make it more difficult to set up? My opinion is that Bellsouth disables features to make support easier. The less features a customer can make changes to, the easier it is for their Script readers to troubleshoot.
--
Best of luck
"Do, or Do not, there is no try!" Yoda
I will love my ANGEL until the end of time. She is my Princess.
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Shootist
Premium
join:2003-02-10
Decatur, GA | Not only that but it is reported that BS leaves some ports open or leaves a back door into the modem/router so they can get through to your PC if needed to troubleshoot.
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ravenink
join:2000-10-29
Atlanta, GA
| said by Shootist :Not only that but it is reported that BS leaves some ports open or leaves a back door into the modem/router so they can get through to your PC if needed to troubleshoot. Reported by whom? I've yet to encounter anything like this. |
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Westell6100
@bellsouth.net
| reply to dcp7451
Re: [Modem] Westell ProLine 6100 DSL Modem Router: Model C90-6
There is a remote desktop function specifically built in for helpdesk access on port 2420. However it is a only on a per connection basis and it has to be enabled on the customer side.
»i.dslr.net/pics/faqs/image11629.gif |
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barton44
join:2004-01-17
Macon, GA | Re: [Modem] Westell ProLine 6100 DSL Modem Router:
In the settings, you have to choose how often and when for BS to update software for the modem. You can disable it, but wonder how many people know to look there to do it. |
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Shootist
Premium
join:2003-02-10
Decatur, GA
| reply to ravenink
said by ravenink : said by Shootist :Not only that but it is reported that BS leaves some ports open or leaves a back door into the modem/router so they can get through to your PC if needed to troubleshoot. Reported by whom? I've yet to encounter anything like this. OK there are your reports.
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Missinglink
join:2001-05-19
Fort Polk, LA | reply to barton44
barton44, where do you go to check these settings ? When I go to the modem update in expert mode, I don't see where updates from BS are automatically downloaded or configurable in that screen.
Thanks for any information.
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barton44
join:2004-01-17
Macon, GA | Missinglink,
Go "Launchmodem" then click the button "Update Modem" and scroll down to "Auto Calendar Update Configuration" and it's there. A drop down menu will allow you to disable it.
Hope this helps. |
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Missinglink
join:2001-05-19
Fort Polk, LA | Got it, thanks. Just wasn't scrolling down far enough. |
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ravenink
join:2000-10-29
Atlanta, GA
| reply to Shootist
said by Shootist : said by ravenink : said by Shootist :Not only that but it is reported that BS leaves some ports open or leaves a back door into the modem/router so they can get through to your PC if needed to troubleshoot. Reported by whom? I've yet to encounter anything like this. OK there are your reports. I'd consider a way for the helpdesk to gain access that has to be enabled from the customer's side something very different than an open port or a back door. Yes, the port is opened when the customer chooses to do so, but it sounds to me like it remains in the closed state the rest of the time. |
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Shootist
Premium
join:2003-02-10
Decatur, GA | OK nitpick if you like. If you don't turn it off it is open. What other reason/need is there for a custom firmware.
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Shooter Ready--Stand By BEEP ******** |
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ravenink
join:2000-10-29
Atlanta, GA
| reply to dcp7451
I believe you mean if you don't turn it on it is closed. There was nothing that I read (perhaps I misread) to suggest that the port is open when the customer does not specifically enable that service. In this way it is similar to a NAT pinhole. As for reasons for the custom firmware, many ISPs find it to their advantage to have a simplified interface for the user. Additionally that firmware can be adjusted to provide ISP specific services that may not fit within the framework of where the router manufacturer does not want to move the product line as a whole. |
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