Internet question

[A930Rocket]

I have a new homeowner that says she has no Internet at her WAP. I asked her if she had Internet at her modem/router and she said no. If that’s the case, then she will not have Internet at her WAP, correct?

Instead of using the Internet provider modem/router, they went and bought their own modem. In talking to our low-voltage guys, they said the modem will supply one IP address only. The router provides multiple IP address.

Does this all sound correct?

Edit: structured wiring is not my forte, so simple answers are appreciated.

Thanks!

[flipper35]

Correct, a modem will supply internet to one device connected to it. Did they buy a modem or modem/router? Some don't know the difference and most are a combo unit now.

[masraum]

Many years ago, I was able to connect a hub/switch to a modem and all of my devices got IPs. That was a loophole/mistake by the ISP. They eventually "fixed the glitch" and it stopped working.

Part of the problem is that lots of folks use lots of terms interchangeably.

If it's actually a "modem" all a modem does is translate whatever the source is (dsl, cable, whatever) to something that a PC can use (ethernet). So under most circumstances, you can plug a single device into a modem and that device will have Internet. If what you plug into a modem is a router, then the router should be able to provide multiple devices with connectivity.

I don't think it's common for a consumer/residential type WAP to not be a router. If that's the case, then plugging a WAP into a modem should work the same as plugging a router into a modem, assuming the cables are plugged into the correct ports on the WAP/router.

I also think that modems that don't have integrated routers are pretty rare these days.

Do you have more info or any photos or make/model info about her gear and/or her setup.

Many years ago, I supported home dial-up Internet folks.

"I can't get my email."
"did you dial into the Internet on your computer before you tried to get your email?"
"No. I don't need to dial in to get my email."
"Yes, the dialing connects you to the Internet which is where your email is. You have to dial in, and then you can get your email."
"No I don't you're wrong."

Also

"I can't get on the Internet."
"what's on your screen right now?"
"nothing, it's black."
- then you have to go through things like "is it turned on" and "is it plugged in" and you'd be surprised how often that sort of thing came up.

[A930Rocket]

The homeowner did not want to pay the monthly fee for the modem/router and bought a modem from Best Buy. It connected to a switch.

When I checked on my phone for Wi-Fi, I was able to log on, but it said “no Internet connection”. In my laymans mind, it’s telling me that I’m connected to the Wi-Fi, but they do not have Internet.

It was working a few days ago, but a landscaper hit their cable, which supposedly was fixed. The guy from the ISP came out and said I can connect but I’m not getting a signal. There is no internet but everything‘s OK. He said the WAP was defective. If there’s no Internet at the modem or switch, there won’t be Internet at the WAP.

[id10t]

Just to pick nits, but none of 'em modulate or demodulate, they are technically bridges.


Things I'd check for - and unfortunately they need someone there with a know good working laptop and know how to test all of this stuff

I've only seen this on cable modems, but quite often if you plug something directly in you only get service on the one MAC address - even if you unplug it and plug something else in. Different MAC=no service. Reboot the modem to fix that.

Is the modem in router mode or bridge mode? If bridge mode, is there a router somewhere, as well as a DHCP service, etc?

Is there a DHCP server active, and does a fixed address with fixed gateway and fixed DNS server work? Is there more than one DHCP server active, and the testing device is getting an IP with an invalid default route out?

If cable modem is in router mode, is there another router plugged into it, causing double NAT and address issues with the same subnet?




When testing connectivity,

[Neilk]

I have never done it, but don't you have to register your modem with the ISP if you have the option of buying your own?

[John Rogers]

Since I have moved on from dial up modems many years ago my computer mentor (a nice Vietnamese lady) told me to install my own router on the outlet (CAT 5) cable of the access point. That router can get it's IP address from your internet provider and then set your security from there.

I obtain each the onformation for each piece of hardware and inside my ASUS 3200 box only allow those computers/TV/phones/NVR to connect. When my daughter comes over from Phoenix I do not have her address entered yet so I wait until she hollars about no connectivity that way I know a non approved user can not get into my little part of the digital world! With this newest box I do not have to restart everthing when I add her or take her off the system.
John

[masraum]

Originally Posted by id10t

Just to pick nits, but none of 'em modulate or demodulate, they are technically bridges.
,

Years ago when I had my first DSL, I had a modem, Alcatel ISDN/DSL 1000 modem. It took the DSL signal from the phone line and output Ethernet. There were no dongles or anything. Just the modem.

Granted, I don't think those have been used in over 20 years.

[masraum]

Originally Posted by Neilk

I have never done it, but don't you have to register your modem with the ISP if you have the option of buying your own?

Yes, that is often the case. With my old ATT service, you had to use their device, but could daisy chain your own if you wanted to use something else.

[A930Rocket]

Originally Posted by id10t

Just to pick nits…

You lost me right about there.😂

[A930Rocket]

This is what I saw on my phone.

What’s funny is you can see where it says family room or something. She said that was a speaker. I was surprised it was not Bluetooth.

The Wi-Fi had to be working to some extent, because you could see the speaker and the printer.

[id10t]

Originally Posted by A930Rocket

This is what I saw on my phone.

What’s funny is you can see where it says family room or something. She said that was a speaker. I was surprised it was not Bluetooth.

The Wi-Fi had to be working to some extent, because you could see the speaker and the printer.

Click the Info icon next to the connection name, then scroll down.

You SHOULD see an IP address and gateway listed. Hitting the IP of the gateway in the Safari browser could get you to the admin screen for it, which will then let you see *its* connection info.

[A930Rocket]

Originally Posted by id10t

Click the Info icon next to the connection name, then scroll down.

You SHOULD see an IP address and gateway listed. Hitting the IP of the gateway in the Safari browser could get you to the admin screen for it, which will then let you see *its* connection info.

I actually did that, but it was gibberish to me. I’m off tomorrow and won’t be back to Monday. If they have the problem still, I’ll go take another look.

[GH85Carrera]

Originally Posted by Neilk

I have never done it, but don't you have to register your modem with the ISP if you have the option of buying your own?

This. I am on Cox Cable. I upgraded my service to the "Gigabyte" service, and my old modem would not support that speed, so I needed a new modem and router.

I asked Cox what modem they sell, and got the model number for that, and checked on Amazon and it was just a few bucks cheaper, so I ordered it. When I hooked it up, I had to call Cox, and give them all my account details, and the set up a "handskake" with it, and sent it the commands needed to work on their system.

My new router is there to provide me with WiFi and a firewall, and Cox has nothing much to do about it, just like the two switches I have.

Since it is my modem, I can log into it, and look at the settings, but I sure don't want to change anything or it likely will stop working. I would not know what to change anyway.

The router is one I can regularly make sure the firmware is up to date, and adjust and set up the WiFi networks on the different frequencies, and turn on or off the guest network.

Likely they need to contact the cable provider, and have them register the device to work on the cable provider's network.

[GH85Carrera]