Netgate Discussion Forum
    • Categories
    • Recent
    • Tags
    • Popular
    • Users
    • Search
    • Register
    • Login

    Cable Modem Installation

    Scheduled Pinned Locked Moved Problems Installing or Upgrading pfSense Software
    23 Posts 5 Posters 8.8k Views
    Loading More Posts
    • Oldest to Newest
    • Newest to Oldest
    • Most Votes
    Reply
    • Reply as topic
    Log in to reply
    This topic has been deleted. Only users with topic management privileges can see it.
    • Cry HavokC
      Cry Havok
      last edited by

      It sounds like you're saying that the Cisco ECP2425 has the cable modem built into it - is that correct?

      1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
      • S
        Sleeps
        last edited by

        @Cry:

        It sounds like you're saying that the Cisco ECP2425 has the cable modem built into it - is that correct?

        That's correct.

        1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
        • Cry HavokC
          Cry Havok
          last edited by

          In that case, unless it has a bridge mode, it will by necessity be your Internet connected device, which means that your pfSense host won't have the WAN IP. If you can provide a link to the PDF manual somebody may be able to tell you if it has a bridge mode.

          Note that anything connected to it's wireless access point will be "outside" your pfSense protected network. There isn't any way around that, you'd have to use another device (such as your old Tenda) to provide a wireless service to the network you're protecting by pfSense.

          1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
          • stephenw10S
            stephenw10 Netgate Administrator
            last edited by

            Here is something (pdf). Closest thing I could find on UPC's site and it shows an EPC2425 despite the file name. It's more of a quick start guide though.  :(

            "How to configure Outlook Express". Does anyone still use that!?  ::)

            Steve

            Edit: Here (pdf) is a much better manual. Looks like quite a full featured modem/router.
            No mention of a bridge mode but there is an 'advanced' section in the web gui that isn't covered.

            1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
            • S
              Sleeps
              last edited by

              @Cry:

              In that case, unless it has a bridge mode, it will by necessity be your Internet connected device, which means that your pfSense host won't have the WAN IP. If you can provide a link to the PDF manual somebody may be able to tell you if it has a bridge mode.

              Note that anything connected to it's wireless access point will be "outside" your pfSense protected network. There isn't any way around that, you'd have to use another device (such as your old Tenda) to provide a wireless service to the network you're protecting by pfSense.

              Cable Modem manual

              http://www.comhem.se/blob/view/-/14442/data/4530/-/manual_cisco.pdf.pdf

              Sleeps

              1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
              • stephenw10S
                stephenw10 Netgate Administrator
                last edited by

                Still no mention of bridge mode in that document. I think you'll have to just poke around the gui yourself and see what you can find. Doesn't look too good though. You would probably be better off getting a cable modem.

                Steve

                1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                • S
                  Sleeps
                  last edited by

                  @stephenw10:

                  Still no mention of bridge mode in that document. I think you'll have to just poke around the gui yourself and see what you can find. Doesn't look too good though. You would probably be better off getting a cable modem.

                  Steve

                  I got into the advance menu but all its got is statistics info and the WAN IP address details but no mention of bridge mode.  I'm going to contact my ISP and ask them for the basic cable modem they offer on the 1MB connection and use it on the 8MB connection.

                  Thanks for all your help and time.

                  Sleeps

                  1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                  • chpalmerC
                    chpalmer
                    last edited by

                    The ISP may be the only one who can put it bridge mode…  Gives them more control over what you use your connection for...

                    (Comcast does this with their commercial gateway...  )

                    Triggering snowflakes one by one..
                    Intel(R) Core(TM) i5-4590T CPU @ 2.00GHz on an M400 WG box.

                    1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                    • S
                      Sleeps
                      last edited by

                      @chpalmer:

                      The ISP may be the only one who can put it bridge mode…  Gives them more control over what you use your connection for...

                      (Comcast does this with their commercial gateway...  )

                      Just noticed that after you enter the advance menu extra links appears on the basic settings page and it now includes the Gateway Mode etc.  I have 2 choices Router or Bridge, didn't want to restart the modem after selecting Bridge,as i'm not sure what else I need to do.

                      Sleeps

                      1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                      • chpalmerC
                        chpalmer
                        last edited by

                        You would need to set up your wan port for DHCP.

                        Restart the modem then restart your pfsense box…

                        Triggering snowflakes one by one..
                        Intel(R) Core(TM) i5-4590T CPU @ 2.00GHz on an M400 WG box.

                        1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                        • S
                          Sleeps
                          last edited by

                          @chpalmer:

                          You would need to set up your wan port for DHCP.

                          Restart the modem then restart your pfsense box…

                          The problem is that the cable modem doesn't have a WAN port only 4 LAN ports and a coaxial cable connection.  The IP address is obtained via the coaxial cable.

                          Sleeps

                          1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                          • G
                            gderf
                            last edited by

                            On a cable modem, the coaxial cable connector is the WAN port. The LAN port is ethernet.

                            1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                            • Cry HavokC
                              Cry Havok
                              last edited by

                              Once you've put it into bridge mode then the LAN ports are what connects you to your ISP. At that point anything you connect to the LAN ports on the CM effectively is the WAN port.

                              1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                              • S
                                Sleeps
                                last edited by

                                @Cry:

                                Once you've put it into bridge mode then the LAN ports are what connects you to your ISP. At that point anything you connect to the LAN ports on the CM effectively is the WAN port.

                                Thanks for the explanation.  WAN is setup for DHCP.  Do I have to disable DHCP for LAN and WiFi or putting this CM into bridge will disable both services.

                                Sleeps

                                1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                • Cry HavokC
                                  Cry Havok
                                  last edited by

                                  Putting it into bridge mode will turn it into a "dumb" modem, that should include disabling the WiFi, DHCP server etc automatically.

                                  1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                  • S
                                    Sleeps
                                    last edited by

                                    @Sleeps:

                                    @Cry:

                                    Once you've put it into bridge mode then the LAN ports are what connects you to your ISP. At that point anything you connect to the LAN ports on the CM effectively is the WAN port.

                                    Thanks for the explanation.  WAN is setup for DHCP.  Do I have to disable DHCP for LAN and WiFi or putting this CM into bridge will disable both services.

                                    Sleeps

                                    CM is now configured in bridge mode.  Thanks for all your help.

                                    Sleeps

                                    1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                    • S
                                      Sleeps
                                      last edited by

                                      One more question how do I access the Cable Modem webpage if it's a dumb modem.

                                      Sleeps

                                      1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                      • stephenw10S
                                        stephenw10 Netgate Administrator
                                        last edited by

                                        I have found this method to be most reliable:
                                        http://doc.pfsense.org/index.php/How_can_i_access_my_PPPoE_Modem_on_WAN
                                        However your modem may or maynot still present a web gui when it's in bridge mode and you'll have to know it's IP.

                                        Steve

                                        1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                        • G
                                          gderf
                                          last edited by

                                          Search the forum: "access modem"

                                          1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                          • S
                                            Sleeps
                                            last edited by

                                            @gderf:

                                            Search the forum: "access modem"

                                            CM connected to Pfsense in bridge mode picked up WAN IP address and working fine.  However the wireless is still working as an access point (Even though it's in bridge mode). Removed the antenna and continue to use my existing router (Access Point).

                                            I thought I was going to lose Pfsense,thanks for coming to my rescue.

                                            Sleeps

                                            1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                            • First post
                                              Last post
                                            Copyright 2025 Rubicon Communications LLC (Netgate). All rights reserved.