ModemAndRouterSetupNotes

Notes on setting up separate Modem and Router

This page is collection of notes on some potential issues when setting up an ISP client with a separate modem and router.

Default IP addresses

Modems and routers generally have a factory default (i.e., the setting from the factory or after a full reset) address. This is needed to access the device configuration.

Commonly the ipV4 address might be 192.168.1.1. Moreover, this MAY be accessible only via the http protocol and not https. Sometimes the full "http://192.168.1.1" or whatever address is default must be specified in a browser to get to the configuration page.

PROBLEM: What happens if both the router and the modem have the same default?

Answer: Generally you will lose internet connectivity as the address clash causes lots of trouble.

Suggested resolution

• Physically disconnect one of the devices from the network. Since the modem is critical to internet connection, let us choose to disconnect and separately configure the router.

• Connect (preferably via a wired ethernet cable) a computer to the router and log in to the configuration page via the (default) IP address, if necessary using the protocol prefix http.

• Change the IP address of the device. That is, find and change the field to set the IP address. As an example, on an Asus RT-AC66U router, this is under Advanced Settings/LAN. One of the more awkward details of configuration is finding the right location of the field to change.

• Save the settings. The device (i.e., router) will likely reboot, then can be connected to the modem.

• It should now be possible to access both the modem and router configuration pages.

Logging in to configuration pages

If the configuration of a modem or router becomes corrupted, which could be due to power surge or to accidental hitting of a reset button, you will need to know the IP address of the device for the configuration as well as the username and password for administration.

• If you change the username or password for administration, make sure that you have this available off-line.

• In case your device is reset, you should have a copy of the user manual available off-line so you can know the default IP address, admin user and admin password.

• Remember that some devices only accept http protocol for access to the configuration pages.