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R6020 doesn’t work without a modem?

DustyShaw
Aspirant

R6020 doesn’t work without a modem?

So I live in an apartment that offers wifi through a outlet in the wall. I didn’t think I need a modem since there is already wifi in the wall. I got a router and it wants me to plug it into a modem. I don’t need a modem. Now I can’t finish setting up my router because it wants me to have a modem. I tried plugging my router into the wall instead of a modem, but it won’t except that. I can’t get past the “checking cables” section of the quick start
Model: R6020|AC750 Dual Band WiFi Router
Message 1 of 11

Re: R6020 doesn’t work without a modem?

You are not getting 'wifi' through that outlet.  The outlet connects to the ethernet system in your complex.  It does not provide any type of internet access untill you sign up with an ISP and install a modem that is compatible with their service, and have the modem provisioned (activated). 

 

 

Message 2 of 11
antinode
Guru

Re: R6020 doesn’t work without a modem?

> [...] I live in an apartment that offers wifi through a outlet in the
> wall. I didn't think I need a modem since there is already wifi in the
> wall. [...]

 

   "wifi" is not found in walls.

 

      https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wi-Fi

 

   With my weak psychic powers, I don't know what's behind your wall any
better than you do. But you might need to know more before you can get
your router connected to the Internet.  Perhaps you should ask the
building management about that hole in your wall, and how to use it.

 

> [...] I can't get past the "checking cables" section of the quick
> start

 

   That suggests that the hole in your wall isn't currently connected to
anything.

 


> [...] untill you sign up with an ISP and install a modem that is
> compatible with their service, [...]

 

   His psychic powers might exceed mine.  Or they might not.  If the
hole in your wall is an RJ45 (Ethernet) jack, then I doubt that a modem
is what you need.

Message 3 of 11
DustyShaw
Aspirant

Re: R6020 doesn’t work without a modem?

Thank you for all the replies. I know I am not technologically adept. The labels on the plug say “CAT 6” and “OCC 6.” I contacted my apartment and they said that I do not need a modem, but I agree that that doesn’t seem correct. I wonder if the Orbi router with the built in modem will work instead? For now, I am going to use a wired connection straight to my computer from the wall and see if that works.
Message 4 of 11
DustyShaw
Aspirant

Re: R6020 doesn’t work without a modem?

It also might be because I have had electrical issues in my apartment! Wish me luck 😞
Message 5 of 11

Re: R6020 doesn’t work without a modem?


@DustyShaw wrote:
I contacted my apartment and they said that I do not need a modem...

It is possible that the apartment has Ethernet wiing that connects to the Internet at some box in the basement.

 


@DustyShaw wrote:
For now, I am going to use a wired connection straight to my computer from the wall and see if that works.

This confirms that you don't need a modem.

 

If you want wifi, and the apartment doesn't have its own wifi network, you need to find out what sort of Internet "switch" they have in the basement. If that is some sort of router, you may be able to get a wireless access point/extender. Plug that into the Ethernet socket and set it up to provide wifi. Most extenders will also have an Ethernet port for you to plug in a PC.

 

Ask the neighbours how they get wifi.

Message 6 of 11
antinode
Guru

Re: R6020 doesn’t work without a modem?

> [...] I contacted my apartment and they said that I do not need a
> modem, but I agree that that doesn't seem correct. [...]

 

   "agree" with whom?

 

> [...] I doubt that a modem is what you need.

 

   Still true.

 

> [...] I wonder if the Orbi router with the built in modem will work
> instead? [...]

 

   I doubt it, but I don't know what "the Orbi router with the built in
modem" means to you.  If its model number starts with "C", then its
modem is intended for use with a cable-TV-type ISP, and it uses a

coaxial cable, not an Ethernet cable, for its ISP connection.

 

> [...] For now, I am going to use a wired connection straight to my
> computer from the wall and see if that works.


   Reasonable.  Or get the building management to demonstrate how well
it works for them.

 

> It also might be because I have had electrical issues in my apartment!
> [...]

 

   "issues"?  Network wiring and power wiring should have nothing in
common.

 


> If you want wifi, and the apartment doesn't have its own wifi network,
> [...]

 

   Nonsense.  What's a "wifi network", and how, exactly, would it be
related to an Ethernet hole in the wall?

 

> [...] you need to find out what sort of Internet "switch" they have in
> the basement. If that is some sort of router, you may be able to get a
> wireless access point/extender. [...]


   Nonsense.  "switch" and "router" are spelled differently for a
reason.  An R6020 could be configured as a wireless access point, if one
were needed.  An "extender" makes no sense for a wired connection
(unless it, too, is configured as a WAP).  So there's nothing else "to
get".  Other than information, that is.

Message 7 of 11
DustyShaw
Aspirant

Re: R6020 doesn’t work without a modem?

I will be getting in contact with my apartment again and seeing how they expect me to get access to the internet. I am sure they will have all the answers I need. I have returned the router I had bought, but I may give it another try at a later date. 👍
Message 8 of 11

Re: R6020 doesn’t work without a modem?


@DustyShaw wrote:
I will be getting in contact with my apartment again and seeing how they expect me to get access to the internet.

Good move. They should be the experts. Them and the neighbours. They will know what you should get out of that hole in the wall.

 

Did you try plugging the laptop into the hole in the wall? It isn't likely to wreck anything.

 

When you have confirmed that that works (or doesn't) you can work out what the Ethernet connection does.

 

Buildings can come with all manner of Internet. The Ethernet connection may be just one of several options. Even with wired Internet, buildings can have a separate wifi service, as anyone who visit an office will confirm. Again, the landlord should know.

 

 

 

 

Message 9 of 11
wcalifas
Prodigy

Re: R6020 doesn’t work without a modem?

If you get Internet by connecting your computer to that outlet you could get a router and make it into an access point or an extender and have wifi fron that connection on that wall.
Message 10 of 11

Re: R6020 doesn’t work without a modem?


@wcalifas wrote:
If you get Internet by connecting your computer to that outlet you could get a router and make it into an access point or an extender and have wifi fron that connection on that wall.

That was my thought.Hence the test.

 

The returned router might even gave filled the bill. But, as you suggest, an extender could be better and would be less expensive and simpler to set up.

Message 11 of 11
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