[TelstraClear] TCL cable modem - adding wireless via spare G604T ADSL2+?

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#55403 3-Jan-2010 09:15

Have a friend who wants to add wireless to TCL cable modem and am trying to help. Have checked out several threads, including:
http://www.geekzone.co.nz/forums.asp?forumid=66&topicid=29017
Have been with Xtra for 13+ years so cable modems are new to me! Reading the above and related threads I think I am getting an idea of what I need to do but need a reality check from you experts!

I don't know what model Motorola they have, but the IP address, DNS servers etc info etc is entered into the network card on the computer so I presume it is a simple modem (not sure if TCL provide any other option?).

I have a redundant ADSL2+ G604T and was wanting to see if I could use that as a wireless AP/router (terminology?) sitting (I presume) between the cable modem and the computer. I see Cyril7 mentions needing a NAT capable router to get more than one computer working (which the 604 is). My main question is, can I successfully use the G604T (wireless alone) in this sort of setup or not?

Once I get some feedback on this query, assuming its positive, I will give it a go - but may need to dip back into the pool of knowledge for further assistance!! Thanks in advance.

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#286614 3-Jan-2010 09:40

Won't work sorry.

The bulk of low end ADSL modems can only be used with ADSL, there is no WAN port to hook up to an external modem.

You just need to get hold of an actual router that doesn't include an ADSL modem.

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#286634 3-Jan-2010 11:38

Thanks for the response Steve. That means another redundant piece of electronics for the scrapheap!

I see Cyril7 (in the thread I noted above and as late as Nov 2009 in another thread) mentions the DLINK DIR300 as working well in recent times, for a reasonable price. Might try for one of those - I assume it is simple to set up looking at other threads. Can always come back for help!! Cheers.

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#286653 3-Jan-2010 13:08

Hi, yes the DIR-300 seems to be a reasonable option at a ok price, I have installed quite a number for use on TCLs network and there does not seem to be any issue or complaints.

Dont throw the 604 out, it can be used as a wireless AP should you want to extend your wireless network.

Cheers
Cyril

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#286671 3-Jan-2010 14:17

cyril7: Hi, yes the DIR-300 seems to be a reasonable option at a ok price, I have installed quite a number for use on TCLs network and there does not seem to be any issue or complaints.

Dont throw the 604 out, it can be used as a wireless AP should you want to extend your wireless network.

Cheers
Cyril

I'll probably give that a go for them then. I'm assuming its simple but may give you a PM if I can't figure it out from other threads on GZ and elsewhere! My chairman has told me to take Jan off so I'm sitting looking for people to help and things to do (especially since I have one hand mostly out of action due to tendon grafts - so limited physical exercise!!)

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#286677 3-Jan-2010 14:37

edge:
cyril7: Hi, yes the DIR-300 seems to be a reasonable option at a ok price, I have installed quite a number for use on TCLs network and there does not seem to be any issue or complaints.

Dont throw the 604 out, it can be used as a wireless AP should you want to extend your wireless network.

Cheers
Cyril

I'll probably give that a go for them then. I'm assuming its simple but may give you a PM if I can't figure it out from other threads on GZ and elsewhere! My chairman has told me to take Jan off so I'm sitting looking for people to help and things to do (especially since I have one hand mostly out of action due to tendon grafts - so limited physical exercise!!)

Personally I recommend the Asus WL-520GU which runs OpenWRT and DD-WRT really well. Also cheap as chips and includes a USB Port for connecting a USB Drive, or USB Printer up, which could be handy. Plus they are cheap as chips, and the same hardware basically as the WRT54GL.

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#286680 3-Jan-2010 14:39

The DIR-300 also can be upgraded to run DD-WRT. Tony if you have any issues getting the 604s working as APs then do PM me.

Cheers
Cyril

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#286684 3-Jan-2010 14:57

Thanks for continuing suggestions!

cyril7: The DIR-300 also can be upgraded to run DD-WRT. Tony if you have any issues getting the 604s working as APs then do PM me.

Cheers
Cyril

Forgive my ignorance but, if in AP only mode, can the 604 then be used as a range extender in the TCL cable setup - assuming we get one of the aforementioned wireless routers that will work with TCL? This is where I get a bit lost potentially!

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#286711 3-Jan-2010 18:56

edge: Forgive my ignorance but, if in AP only mode, can the 604 then be used as a range extender in the TCL cable setup - assuming we get one of the aforementioned wireless routers that will work with TCL? This is where I get a bit lost potentially!

Yep, sure can, you just plug into the "LAN" plug into the other ports, plus disable the DHCP server built into the 604, and you should be away.

This would assume you have your TCL Cable and Router in one location, and have a CAT5 cable running to somewhere else, where you connect up the 604, otherwise it's a bit pointless to have two AP's side by side ;)

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#286713 3-Jan-2010 19:05

Hi yea as Peter(Bartender) says a 604 in AP mode is simply a layer2 switch (both wired and WiFi) you still need a router between the WAN (ADSL) and your LAN. But just use the LAN ports to your wired LAN, you will also need to ensure the DHCP server in the APs are off, ie only one DHCP server in the network is allowed and this will be your new Thompson ADSL modem/router.

To make life easy when administering things it also helps if you move the address of the 604 into the address space of the main lan.

Yes you will need to run a LAN cable from the main modem to the extention unit, its simply a way of extending the range.

Cyril

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#286724 3-Jan-2010 20:00

Thanks for the info guys - will have a play in the next couple of weeks.

"It is useless to attempt to reason a man out of what he was never reasoned into."
— most commonly attributed to Jonathan Swift, author/theologian