WAX 625 on Spectrum (as a basic router)?

[jhibbard]

I have a functioning Spectrum internet account. It consists of a Spectrum modem (model: U10C153.10), a Spectrum wireless router (model: no info), a Netgear WAX 625 AP and a GS 348 PP.

Current physical configuration:

Modem <=> Spectrum router <=> GS 348 <=> WAX 625 <=> various other stuff both wired and wireless (desktops, laptops, NAS, cell phones, tablets, printers, UPSs) on a more or less permanent connect. There are a number of transient connections to this LAN that come and go (these are almost always wireless connections).

All of the above work as expected, with each wireless routers having their own SSID.

I _think_ I would like to eliminate the Spectrum router from the LAN and reclaim my monthly rental fee for it.

However, if I simply unplug the Spectrum router (both power and ethernet) and plug the ethrnet cable into the WAX 625, I can get wired connectivity (sporadically) _AND_ no internet connectivity.

- Yes, I have also eliminated the GS348 and gone directly from the modem to the WAX 625 <=> to a desktop.

- What does work is to plug the desktop into the modem; I'm guessing this means that connecting to the internet _without_ the Spectrum wireless router means that internet connectivity does not require the Spectrum wireless router.

Qs:

1. What am I mis-configuring in the WAX 625 to cause the problem (no internet connectivity)?

2. Do I really want to get rid of the Spectrum modem? At this point it provides an additional function (antoher SSID) appreciably slower, and no option to configure it which makes me wonder what information Spectrum is collecting that they probably could not collect without the Spectrum router. It is pretty annoying to see all of the LAN devices on their website. I am allowed to change PnP and DNS settings on the Spectrum modem but very little else.

I have been advised that some WAX APs will provide basic router service and to look into the manual. Having done so, I find nothing on using this AP as a basic router.

I would appreciate any advice.

[schumaku · Accepted solution]

Typo, sorry. We talk of a WAX625 here, or any WAX6xx, like a WAX615, WAX618, WAX620, WAX625, WAX628, WAX630, WAX630E, WAX638E, or similar.

[schumaku]

Afraid, different from some of the the Essential WAC (select WAC2xx only), the WAC625 does not contain a full NAT router, and can't serve as a featured NAT router to beyond of the available SSID NAT allowing some many-2-one for the wireless clients - but definitely not for an additional wired device.

[jhibbard]

Thank you for the confirmation. I will dig up a wireless router to replace the Spectrum router. Although I have nothing in a wireless WIFI 6 router, I can cover that with the WAX625 and my bandwidth to/from the internet doesn't warrant the 2.5G port on the Spectrum wireless router. I most likely have some ASUS 1900 wireless routers that will fill the bill.

Q:

I am assuming that your use of  WAC in "the WAC625 does not contain" is a typo and that you meant WAX625. Is that correct? I had to check the config menu to make sure there was no 'NAT' choice in it.

[schumaku · Accepted solution]

Typo, sorry. We talk of a WAX625 here, or any WAX6xx, like a WAX615, WAX618, WAX620, WAX625, WAX628, WAX630, WAX630E, WAX638E, or similar.

[jhibbard]

Yes! I just realized that my last message contained the word 'update' which should have been 'upgrade'. DOH!

Thanks again.