2Wire modem and existing Linksys router - Canadian TV, Computing and Home Theatre Forums

Larry · 2011-08-24, 09:34 AM

I have just upgraded to Bell Fibe 12 and they sent me a new modem. I had the old Speedstream modem for like 10 years. My setup is simple - speedstream connected to a Linksys router running Tomato. Got it all working just as I like it.

To get the faster download speeds, I need to use the 2wire modem Bell sent me. I can only manage around 7 using the speedstream modem.

I know the 2wire is both a router and modem, but I just want to configure it to work like the old configuration. I have read a lot of ideas, but they seem conflicting and confusing. What IP address to use on the 2wire (my linksys is 192.168.1.1) - should i do the PPPoE on the linksys or on the 2wire? Should I connect the 2wire to the Linksys on the WAN port or a LAN port?

This problem must have been solved countless times already.

What is the secret formula?

scotta · 2011-08-24, 11:35 AM

Most modem/routers for cable or DSL, that I've seen, can be configured to disable the router and just run as a modem, and act the same as your SpeedStream.

Larry · 2011-08-24, 01:10 PM

Thanks - and I suspect you are correct, but I am looking for a recipe that has worked for others - with the specifics of what needs to be done on the 2wire and LinkSys router.

mapboy · 2011-08-25, 09:14 AM

I'm interested in this as well. I would like to do the same with my 2wire and an Apple Airport Extreme

scotta · 2011-08-25, 09:27 AM

If you can get the 2wire set for modem only mode and properly configured, then you shouldn't have to touch the LinkSys router. The LinkSys won't see a difference between the 2wire and the old Speedstream (unless there's a new user id, password, etc. for the new connection).

It might be a long shot but maybe Bell's customer support can assist you. Explain that you want to use your own router and want to configure the 2wire to just be a modem, the same as the Seedstream.

Larry · 2011-08-25, 10:39 AM

I tried that last night when I had to call to report a problem with the service. Apparently it was having a lot of trouble resolving DNS for some reason. Very spotty service.

Anyways, I asked the customer support guy if I could configure the 2wire to be a "modem" only - he had no idea what I was talking about. He asked if I wanted to turn off wireless... I gave up.

Right now I have essentially replaced the Linksys with the 2wire but I miss the flexibility of Tomato I had installed on it. The 2wire UI is horrible, slow and very inflexible. I also miss the usage graphs I got from tomato. A big step backwards.

CorSter · 2012-12-01, 08:56 PM

I realize this is an old thread, but for future reference, here's how to trick the Bell 2wire into being used as a modem only

1) Edit the PPPoE login information on your 2wire - make it incorrect so the Bell modem can't connect
2) Turn off the Wireless on the 2wire
3) Turn off DHCP on the 2wire
4) Configure your router to handle PPPoE
5) Connect an Ethernet cable from any of the Ethernet ports on your 2wire to the WAN port on your modem

This effectively reduces your Bell 2wire to a Bridge-only mode. I find the Bell 2wire is actually pretty good as a modem, but it's a terrible router.

Paolo · 2012-12-04, 10:30 AM

I thought the purpose of a isp offering a gateway unit (modem + wifi router in one) is for the purpose of simplicity, not having to go out and buy another router any more. but if the op decides to continue with this setup of having his own linkski router, then that means if he has any wire less problems, his isp will not provide support since its on his own device and not the isp supplied one, am I correct in saying this? so it makes more sense to use the isp device since they offer support, cus I had to call linkski once and boy let me tell you, its a PAIN IN THE ARSE to get support from them, you gotta email back and fourth and back and fourth, good luck getting a live agent to talk to with linkski.

smlunatick · 2012-12-11, 02:36 PM

The 2Wire unit seems to only do the 2.4Ghz radio band and only 11G speeds.

With your own router, you can get the fast 11N or the 11AC speeds.

Also, most "users" who wish to go wireless now want the dual band routers, which seem to have not arrived at Bell.

Macman · 2012-12-11, 03:24 PM

Unless they starting carrying the 2Wire 5168N like MTS just did. They are using it for Fiber (as it is gigabit Ethernet, and they just rolled out some faster plans) and pair bonded DSL.

It has wireless N too. I don't believe it is dual band, but I could be wrong. It has many wireless options that can be tweaked too.

Might be the up and coming modem of choice?

smlunatick · 2012-12-18, 09:39 PM

Fibe Internet with a Cellpipe unit, it is only 2.4Ghz

Also, with most of the Bell modems router combo devices, if the unit detects a PPPoE request ove one of the LAN ports, it automatically switched to a bridging modem setting.

2011-08-24, 09:34 AM	#1
Larry Veteran Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Ottawa, Ontario (Rogers) Posts: 1,521	2Wire modem and existing Linksys router I have just upgraded to Bell Fibe 12 and they sent me a new modem. I had the old Speedstream modem for like 10 years. My setup is simple - speedstream connected to a Linksys router running Tomato. Got it all working just as I like it. To get the faster download speeds, I need to use the 2wire modem Bell sent me. I can only manage around 7 using the speedstream modem. I know the 2wire is both a router and modem, but I just want to configure it to work like the old configuration. I have read a lot of ideas, but they seem conflicting and confusing. What IP address to use on the 2wire (my linksys is 192.168.1.1) - should i do the PPPoE on the linksys or on the 2wire? Should I connect the 2wire to the Linksys on the WAN port or a LAN port? This problem must have been solved countless times already. What is the secret formula?

2012-12-11, 03:24 PM	#10
Macman Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Winnipeg, MB Posts: 469	Unless they starting carrying the 2Wire 5168N like MTS just did. They are using it for Fiber (as it is gigabit Ethernet, and they just rolled out some faster plans) and pair bonded DSL. It has wireless N too. I don't believe it is dual band, but I could be wrong. It has many wireless options that can be tweaked too. Might be the up and coming modem of choice? __________________ Authorized Service Provider for MTS Allstream. Any views expressed are my own.

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

2011-08-24, 11:35 AM	#2
scotta Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Scarborough, Ontario Posts: 665	Most modem/routers for cable or DSL, that I've seen, can be configured to disable the router and just run as a modem, and act the same as your SpeedStream.

2011-08-24, 01:10 PM	#3
Larry Veteran Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Ottawa, Ontario (Rogers) Posts: 1,521	Thanks - and I suspect you are correct, but I am looking for a recipe that has worked for others - with the specifics of what needs to be done on the 2wire and LinkSys router.

2011-08-25, 09:14 AM	#4
mapboy Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Burlington, ON, Bell Posts: 88	I'm interested in this as well. I would like to do the same with my 2wire and an Apple Airport Extreme

2011-08-25, 09:27 AM	#5
scotta Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Scarborough, Ontario Posts: 665	If you can get the 2wire set for modem only mode and properly configured, then you shouldn't have to touch the LinkSys router. The LinkSys won't see a difference between the 2wire and the old Speedstream (unless there's a new user id, password, etc. for the new connection). It might be a long shot but maybe Bell's customer support can assist you. Explain that you want to use your own router and want to configure the 2wire to just be a modem, the same as the Seedstream.

2011-08-25, 10:39 AM	#6
Larry Veteran Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Ottawa, Ontario (Rogers) Posts: 1,521	I tried that last night when I had to call to report a problem with the service. Apparently it was having a lot of trouble resolving DNS for some reason. Very spotty service. Anyways, I asked the customer support guy if I could configure the 2wire to be a "modem" only - he had no idea what I was talking about. He asked if I wanted to turn off wireless... I gave up. Right now I have essentially replaced the Linksys with the 2wire but I miss the flexibility of Tomato I had installed on it. The 2wire UI is horrible, slow and very inflexible. I also miss the usage graphs I got from tomato. A big step backwards.

2012-12-01, 08:56 PM	#7
CorSter Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 271	I realize this is an old thread, but for future reference, here's how to trick the Bell 2wire into being used as a modem only 1) Edit the PPPoE login information on your 2wire - make it incorrect so the Bell modem can't connect 2) Turn off the Wireless on the 2wire 3) Turn off DHCP on the 2wire 4) Configure your router to handle PPPoE 5) Connect an Ethernet cable from any of the Ethernet ports on your 2wire to the WAN port on your modem This effectively reduces your Bell 2wire to a Bridge-only mode. I find the Bell 2wire is actually pretty good as a modem, but it's a terrible router.

2012-12-04, 10:30 AM	#8
Paolo Veteran Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Regional Municipality of Durham Posts: 2,695	I thought the purpose of a isp offering a gateway unit (modem + wifi router in one) is for the purpose of simplicity, not having to go out and buy another router any more. but if the op decides to continue with this setup of having his own linkski router, then that means if he has any wire less problems, his isp will not provide support since its on his own device and not the isp supplied one, am I correct in saying this? so it makes more sense to use the isp device since they offer support, cus I had to call linkski once and boy let me tell you, its a PAIN IN THE ARSE to get support from them, you gotta email back and fourth and back and fourth, good luck getting a live agent to talk to with linkski.

2012-12-11, 02:36 PM	#9
smlunatick Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Montreal Posts: 112	The 2Wire unit seems to only do the 2.4Ghz radio band and only 11G speeds. With your own router, you can get the fast 11N or the 11AC speeds. Also, most "users" who wish to go wireless now want the dual band routers, which seem to have not arrived at Bell.

2012-12-18, 09:39 PM	#11
smlunatick Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Montreal Posts: 112	Fibe Internet with a Cellpipe unit, it is only 2.4Ghz Also, with most of the Bell modems router combo devices, if the unit detects a PPPoE request ove one of the LAN ports, it automatically switched to a bridging modem setting.