Home Networking / Router / & WiFi Gateway Help

[myrnagreenfield]

We switched from Verizon to Comcast today. The installer left before I noticed that he only installed a modem, not a wireless router, which is what we had before.

So right now we only have one computer online.

Questions:

1) Does Comcast offer a unit that's wireless/router/modem?

2) Is it possible to connect one of the wireless routers that I currently have sitting here to the cable modem? I have the Westell 7500 from Verizon and a NetGear DG834G v4

Thanks.

[JamesR · Accepted solution]

The comcast noem needs to be power cycled before it will recognize your Router.

So, pull power cord out of modem

Connect your router to the modem and your pc to the router and reapply power

You should be good

1. Yes Comcast ddoes supply a Router modem gatewa combo

2.  Yes you can connect your router to the Comcast Cable modem as above

[myrnagreenfield]

That's great to hear. Thank you so much for the speedy reply.

Any thoughts on which router would be the better one to use?

[JamesR]

Well I am partial to the Netgear WNDR3700 -- it is dual band with a Guest access capability. Streaming video and a USB port for shared external Hard drive.  It has adjustable power levels so that you can run cool ir your are running close.

However I don't think that router is available from Comcast. 

[myrnagreenfield]

Thanks much.

[JamesR]

You're welcome.

[kevj]

Thye Westell and Netgear routers you have are DSL modem/gateways I beleive, so you will not be able to use either one of those with Comcast. You will have to purchase a new router...

You can get one for free from Comcast. Most of the 'experts' here would recommend against a combo modem/router gateway. It is easler to troubleshoot problems if you have a seperate modem and router.

[JamesR]

Kevj is right, just googled NetGear DG834G and I see it is a 21 mbit ADXK /Gateway.

So options are get a good fast high function Router and attach it to  your Comcast Cable modem or take the free Comcast supplied Router modem /Gateway.

[myrnagreenfield]

Hi. Did some extensive Google searching as well. Read through accounts of few folks who said they'd successfully connected wireless routers to a Comcast modem so I forged ahead.

Had no luck with the Netgear. I'm close with the Westell 7500. It links but I can't get internet access. I suspect there's some setting that I'm missing.

I ran ipconfig /all to get the static IP address, DNS, etc. Entered them in the appropriate settings on the router, which turned off the dsl and switched it to "routed IP" mode. However, that's not giving me internet connectivity.

If I don't get this resolved by tonight I'll order the Comcast router. Thanks for replying.

[Barmar]

Unlike typical broadband routers, the default settings on the Westell are for DHCP, not cable modems. I downloaded the Westell manual, and here's what I think you have to configure in the router's settings:

In My Network->Network Connections, select VersaPort

In Advanced->VersaPort, select Ethernet WAN Uplink. Then change Protocol to Routed IP, Tunneling to Disable, and check "Enable DHCP Client".