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Use WPN824v2 as wired only connection for cable modem
Trying to help out an elderly neighbor. She currently has a desktop PC connected directly to a Spectrum cable modem.
She has a new smart TV and wants to start using it's features. I don't see her being able to manage a wifi connection, so my goal is to set up a wired only connection for her.
I have an old WPN824v2 that I want to give her to use and she will be using a Powerline 1000 adapter for the connection to her TV. Since this is an odd setup, I just want to be sure that what I'm thinking will work.
I've updated the firmware and disabled wifi on the router.
So, the connections would be:
Modem-->router
LAN to PC
LAN to Powerline and then the other Powerline to the TV ethernet port. Note that the TV and computer are in different rooms, but on the same circuit.
My questions are:
1. Should I disable DHCP and treat the router as a switch? I'd then be using the LAN ports for all three connections. Worried about IP's and security with this setup. Or should I keep DHCP enabled and use the WAN port for the modem connection?
2. Is there any other consideration for the Powerline connection that will be a problem with this setup?
Finally, is there anything else to worry about here? Trying to get her going for as little money as possible.
Thanks.
> [...] The router firmware was updated to the last stock Netgear
> version.As always, an actual version number would be more useful than your
opinion of what's "the last", today.> ---Just a standard DOCSIS 3.0 modem (an Arris SB6183 I believe).
So you'd need a router (with a working DHCP server). You can decide
whether using wireless would give more trouble than benefit.Visit http://netgear.com/support , put in your model number, and look
for Documentation. Get the Reference Manual. Look for "Enable Wireless
Access Point. If you really want to avoid wireless stuff, then you
might want to disable it completely. This antique does no better than
WPA (not WPA2), so that might reduce its vulnerablity.
3 Replies
> [...] a Spectrum cable modem.
Not a very detailed description of that device. Has it a maker and
model number? Is it really only a "modem" or is it a modem+router?> [...] I don't see her being able to manage a wifi connection, [...]
Once you set it up, how much management were you expecting to be
needed?> I have an old WPN824v2 [...]
"old" is right.
> [...] she will be using a Powerline 1000 adapter for the connection to
> her TV. [...]"a" Powerline 1000 adapter, or a _pair_ of Powerline 1000 adapters?
> I've updated the firmware and disabled wifi on the router.
"updated the firmware" to what? _Which_ "the router"?> 1. Should I disable DHCP and treat the router as a switch? [...]
Knowing nothing about the "a Spectrum cable modem", it's hard to say
much with any confidence. You'll want one router with one DHCP server
somewhere. If the "a Spectrum cable modem" is really only a modem, then
disabling the DHCP server on the (antique) WPN824v2 would be a mistake.
If the "a Spectrum cable modem" is really a modem+router, then why you'd
want to add the (antique) WPN824v2 is a mystery.> [...] I'd then be using the LAN ports for all three connections. [...]
What, exactly, were you planning to connect to what? Which "all
three connections"?> [...] Worried about IP's and security with this setup.
"security"? Why?
> [...] Or should I keep DHCP enabled and use the WAN port for the modem
> connection?Again, with no information on the "a Spectrum cable modem", who
could do more than guess?> 2. Is there any other consideration for the Powerline connection that
> will be a problem with this setup?If the Powerline gizmos work, then I wouldn't expect problems.
> Finally, is there anything else to worry about here?
Without an accurate, precise equipment inventory, I couldn't say.
antinode wrote:> [...] a Spectrum cable modem.
Not a very detailed description of that device. Has it a maker and
model number? Is it really only a "modem" or is it a modem+router? ---Just a standard DOCSIS 3.0 modem (an Arris SB6183 I believe).> [...] I don't see her being able to manage a wifi connection, [...]
Once you set it up, how much management were you expecting to be
needed? ---She lives in a large apartment complex and there is HEAVY wifi traffic. I am afraid that she'd have enough "noise" in her wifi to make some degree of management necessary. At 85 years old, it's not happening.> I have an old WPN824v2 [...]
"old" is right.
> [...] she will be using a Powerline 1000 adapter for the connection to
> her TV. [...]"a" Powerline 1000 adapter, or a _pair_ of Powerline 1000 adapters? ---Sorry I was not clear. It is a pair of Powerline adapters.
> I've updated the firmware and disabled wifi on the router.
"updated the firmware" to what? _Which_ "the router"? ---The router firmware was updated to the last stock Netgear version.> 1. Should I disable DHCP and treat the router as a switch? [...]
Knowing nothing about the "a Spectrum cable modem", it's hard to say
much with any confidence. You'll want one router with one DHCP server
somewhere. If the "a Spectrum cable modem" is really only a modem, then
disabling the DHCP server on the (antique) WPN824v2 would be a mistake.
If the "a Spectrum cable modem" is really a modem+router, then why you'd
want to add the (antique) WPN824v2 is a mystery.---Thanks. That's helpful. Since i it is just a Spectrum modem, I'll leave DHCP active.> [...] I'd then be using the LAN ports for all three connections. [...]
What, exactly, were you planning to connect to what? Which "all
three connections"? ---What I meant here was that if I had disabled DHCP, then the WAN port would not be used since the router would then essentially be a switch. The three connections (modem, computer, and cable to the powerline) would be on the LAN ports. With your DHCP answer, this is no longer in play.> [...] Worried about IP's and security with this setup.
"security"? Why? ---IP's because I do not know how many Spectrum would provide and if router was configured as a switch, she'd need two from Spectrum. Again, since I'm leaving DHCP active, it's not a problem. ---Security if the router had functioned as a dumb switch and given it's age.
> [...] Or should I keep DHCP enabled and use the WAN port for the modem
> connection?Again, with no information on the "a Spectrum cable modem", who
could do more than guess?> 2. Is there any other consideration for the Powerline connection that
> will be a problem with this setup?If the Powerline gizmos work, then I wouldn't expect problems.
> Finally, is there anything else to worry about here?
Without an accurate, precise equipment inventory, I couldn't say.---Thanks for your initial reply. I tried to keep my OP from being TLDR, but from your reply, I can see I should have been more verbose. I think you've provided what I need, but if you have anything else to add, please feel free to reply.
> [...] The router firmware was updated to the last stock Netgear
> version.As always, an actual version number would be more useful than your
opinion of what's "the last", today.> ---Just a standard DOCSIS 3.0 modem (an Arris SB6183 I believe).
So you'd need a router (with a working DHCP server). You can decide
whether using wireless would give more trouble than benefit.Visit http://netgear.com/support , put in your model number, and look
for Documentation. Get the Reference Manual. Look for "Enable Wireless
Access Point. If you really want to avoid wireless stuff, then you
might want to disable it completely. This antique does no better than
WPA (not WPA2), so that might reduce its vulnerablity.