Why would a Fairpoint DSL modem be set up this way?

[techs]

New Fairpoint Westel DSL modem, model 6100. You can plug any computer directly into it and get on the internet(after rebooting the modem each time you change computers). However, you cannot just plug in a router. To use a router you need to go into the modems software and enable "bridge mode:

FYI its not a case of needing to log onto your dsl account as any computer can get online directly, even computers with no added Fairpoint software.

If computers are getting on using DHCP why wouldn't a router get online also using DHCP?

 

[Ghiedo27]

Source

The issue arises when you try to connect another router behind this configuration , and end up having 2 dhcp servers and 2 nat's (creating issues for port forwarding and the like, in some cases where the same brand products are used the ip addresses will conflict and the devices will not connect at all when the are connected together).

Basically it just lets your router handle all of the routing functions.

 

[techs]

Source

Basically it just lets your router handle all of the routing functions.

Ok, that part I understand.

I don't understand why the dsl modem acts differently than say a modem from a cable company like Comcast. My Comcast cable modem can be directly plugged into a computer or plugged into a router without having to be put into "bridged mode".

 

[jlazzaro]

Ok, that part I understand.

I don't understand why the dsl modem acts differently than say a modem from a cable company like Comcast. My Comcast cable modem can be directly plugged into a computer or plugged into a router without having to be put into "bridged mode".

the Westell is a modem/router combo. your Comcast modem is just a modem, nothing more.

putting the Westell into bridged mode disables the router functionality.

http://www.dslreports.com/faq/13600
http://www.dslreports.com/faq/6096

 

[techs]

the Westell is a modem/router combo. your Comcast modem is just a modem, nothing more.

putting the Westell into bridged mode disables the router functionality.

http://www.dslreports.com/faq/13600
http://www.dslreports.com/faq/6096

Yeah, but that's just plain stupid.
Who the hell has a wireless access point? 99.999 percent of people have wireless routers.
It just seems like the stupidest thing they could do.

 

[imagoon]

Yeah, but that's just plain stupid.
Who the hell has a wireless access point? 99.999 percent of people have wireless routers.
It just seems like the stupidest thing they could do.

In the not tech savvy groups of people I know, only 2 (of about 25) use a router other than the one att/comcast/whoever gave them.

Also all Comcast units in this area come this way also. Something about "The user plugs in and they are online." I assume it reduces tech calls and tech rolls for users that still call their monitor a hard drive.

 

[techs]

In the not tech savvy groups of people I know, only 2 (of about 25) use a router other than the one att/comcast/whoever gave them.

Also all Comcast units in this area come this way also. Something about "The user plugs in and they are online." I assume it reduces tech calls and tech rolls for users that still call their monitor a hard drive.

But the Westell only has one port. So whats the point of it being a "router" other than you can move the network cable to a different computer without rebooting the modem???
And, how many wireless access points are there for sale in your local Staples, Radio Shack, etc? I don't know that they would have even one, while they would have a half dozen wireless routers.

 

[jlazzaro]

But the Westell only has one port. So whats the point of it being a "router" other than you can move the network cable to a different computer without rebooting the modem???
And, how many wireless access points are there for sale in your local Staples, Radio Shack, etc? I don't know that they would have even one, while they would have a half dozen wireless routers.

you could plug a network switch into that one port, or use a wireless router and convert it into an AP/switch.

http://www.ezlan.net/router_AP.html

its best not to rationalize these things, just accept it and move on 😉

 

[Lanyap]

Sometimes it's a subnet conflict. The Westell might use 192.168.1.254 and the router might use 192.168.1.1. If you change router IP to 192.168.2.1, for example, it should work. That's what I had to do the last time I hooked up a Linksys router behind a Westell DSL modem.