Cable Modem Installation
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I've been using Pfsense 1.2.3 for sometime now and enjoying it. However Having problems with setting up new cable modem. See current setup. Once I get this setup I will be able to configure my Firebox X700 and to replace the PC.
Current setup
Old Compaq PC
Wimax connection 1Mbps connected to WAN port (DHCP) of Pfsense box via Cat5 cable.
Tenda Broadband Router 108Mbps using as an Access Point (Bridged to Lan)
Computers on LAN is configured with DHCPNew setup
Cable Modem 8 Mbps
CISCO ECP2425 with wireless connection 54Mbps Internet receives IP via Coaxial cable and has 4 LAN ports. I would like to use the existing router as Access Point because its faster. But don't know how to connect/configure this to the Pfsense box to obtain a WAN address.Look forward to some advice and getting this setup up and running.
Thanks
Sleeps
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It sounds like you're saying that the Cisco ECP2425 has the cable modem built into it - is that correct?
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@Cry:
It sounds like you're saying that the Cisco ECP2425 has the cable modem built into it - is that correct?
That's correct.
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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.
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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. -
@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
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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
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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
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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... )
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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
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You would need to set up your wan port for DHCP.
Restart the modem then restart your pfsense box…
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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
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On a cable modem, the coaxial cable connector is the WAN port. The LAN port is ethernet.
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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.
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@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
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Putting it into bridge mode will turn it into a "dumb" modem, that should include disabling the WiFi, DHCP server etc automatically.
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@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
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One more question how do I access the Cable Modem webpage if it's a dumb modem.
Sleeps
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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
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Search the forum: "access modem"
