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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 ...
- The k you for all your help
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.
> 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.
Thank you. I will look at ebay and i will also be looking at the links you provided. You have help a lot with my understanding of everything.
Your idea of separating modem and router is good.
Many experienced users go down that road for various reasons.
One is that a modem only box can be pretty cheap. Then if you change your Internet service, from DSL to cable for example, you can get rid of the modem and keep whatever router you choose.
Another reason for having a separate router is that Netgear, and maybe other brands, seem to put more effort into providing timely updates for routers. Modem-routers seem to sit at the back of the queue, especially when it comes to adding new features.
- Thank you for replying
