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Donnamw's avatar
Donnamw
Tutor
Sep 04, 2019
Solved

Netgear Modem/router for ADSL2+ Centurylink

I am currently wanting to buy my own router/modem to avoid rental fee from century link. I am currently using Actiontec PK5001A provided by century link which is fine for internet but my wifi is weak in my 4000 sq ft house and does not stay consistent, in certain spots i have wifi and in other spots it comes and goes. My current centurylink internet plan is 3mbps and is ADSL2+ and we live in the country. This is the only plan available to me so i am unable to upgrade my plan. I am looking for a Netgear modem/router and all the one's I have looked at are no where to be found. These are the ones that Netgear has on the website and are for ADSL2+ AC1900 Nighthawk VDSL/ADSL Modem Router Model: D7000 AC1600 WiFi VDSL/ADSL Modem Router Model: D6400 AC1200-WiFi DSL Modem Router Model: D6200 I have looked online and at our local Walmart I found the AC1600 WiFi Modem Router but the model number was different it was Model:R6120 is this the same as model D6400? any help and suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

18 Replies

  • > [...] but my wifi is weak in my 4000 sq ft house [...]

     

       Ok.

     

    > [...] I am looking for a Netgear modem/router [...]

     

       If wireless-network range is your only complaint, then you might do
    better for less money by adding one or more wireless access points
    (WAPs) to your existing router.

     

    > [...] D7000 [...] D6400 [...] R6120 [...]

     

       Those "ACxxxx" numbers are wireless-network speeds, not model
    numbers.  Netgear models "Dxxxx" are DSL modem+router units.  Netgear
    models "Rxxxx" are router-only units, with no DSL modem.

     

       Note that there's an older D7000[v1], and a newer D7000v2. I use a
    D7000[v1] with my CenturyLink (slow) DSL service.  I have no experience
    with the D7000v2, but reports in these forums suggest that the D7000v2
    has more/different problems than the D7000[v1].


       My D7000[v1] (firmware version V1.0.1.74_1.0.1) suffers seizures from
    time to time:

     

          https://community.netgear.com/t5/x/x/m-p/1706952

     

       I'd be reluctant to recommend either of the D7000[vX] variants.

     

       If the Actiontec PK5001A has a modem-only mode, (and your DSL
    connection is PPPoE, not PPPoA) then you ought to be able to use it as a
    DSL modem with almost any wireless router, made by anyone.

    • Donnamw's avatar
      Donnamw
      Tutor

      Thank you for replying.  I am new at this networking stuff.  My goal is to stop paying rental fee to century link and purchase my own modem/router combo or modem and router seperate.

       

      I am not sure how to make an access poin so i will research that but I will still need a modem for ADSL2+

       

      I am not sure if my centurylink internet plan is PPPoE I will have to call centurylink again.  When I talked to them they are reluctant to give me to much information.  I asked them what information I would need to set up my own modem or modem/router combo and they gave me credentials for the following:

      They said to make sure whatever i buy states it works with ADSL2+  and gave me the following

      PPP user name and password

      VPI/CDI  information

      VLAN: information

       

      That makes sense on the D=DSL and R=Router only.  That will make it easier when i am searching online but I have looked online at amazon, Best Buy Staples Tiger Direct, went to walmart and am unable to find any Netgear modems or modem router combos for DSL.  It's like they are not available anywhere.  

       

      I thought about getting the Netgear Orbi Wi-Fi system but i think i still would need a modem.

      they have a Orbi CBK40 which has built in modem but im not sure it will work on ADLS2+Centurylink.

      If I get a modem only and go with the Orbi is there anything special i need to look for with my 3mbps ADSL2+ internet plan with centurylink?

      Thank you.

      • antinode's avatar
        antinode
        Guru

        > My goal is to stop paying rental fee to century link [...]

         

           I'd consider getting a used gizmo from Ebay.  See what CenturyLink
        currently supplies, and look for it/them as well as what you have now.

         

        > I am not sure how to make an access poin [...]

         

           There are purpose-built wireless access points, but many are not
        aimed at consumers.  Almost anything sold as a wireless "extender" can
        be used in that mode, and practically any wireless router can be
        configured that way, too.  As an example (with good pictures) visit
        http://netgear.com/support , put in "R7000" for the model number, and
        look for Documentation.  Get the User Manual.  Look for "Use the Router
        as a Wireless Access Point".

         

        > I am not sure if my centurylink internet plan is PPPoE [...]

         

           Look at the management web site for your PK5001A to see how it is
        configured?

         

              https://www.centurylink.com/home/help/internet/modems-and-routers/actiontec-pk5001a/setup.html


        > make sure whatever i buy states it works with ADSL2+ [...]

         

           I'd expect that to be hard to avoid.

         

        > [...] It's like they are not available anywhere.

         

           They're less popular these days.  Which is one reason that Ebay can
        be a good source.

         

        > I thought about getting the Netgear Orbi Wi-Fi system but i think i
        > still would need a modem.

         

           Yup.  Netgear does sell a DM200 DSL modem.  (It's really a
        modem+router with a very lame router, but it does have a modem-only
        mode.)

         

        > they have a Orbi CBK40 which has built in modem but im not sure it will
        > work on ADLS2+Centurylink.


           Visit http://netgear.com/support , put in that model number, and
        look for Documentation.  Get the Product Data Sheet:

         

              This Orbi WiFi System comes with an Orbi Router with a built-in
              Cable Modem [...]

         

        "Cable Modem", as in cable-TV.  Not suitable for DSL.  And like other
        Netgear cable-TV-type modem+router units (models Cxxxx), it has no
        Ethernet WAN/Internet port, so you couldn't use it with an external
        (DSL) modem.  Some other Orbi (modemless) router kit could be useful,
        however, when combined with a suitable DSL modem.

         

        > If I get a modem only and go with the Orbi is there anything special i
        > need to look for with my 3mbps ADSL2+ internet plan with centurylink?

         

           Practically any router should work.   You'd probably want to worry
        more about the wireless-network features than the actual router
        features.