Backup dsl modem for quick replacement

**loninappleton** · 04-14-2007, 02:28 PM

i've been running my Actiontec 701 supplied by the ISP with my dsl service for a couple years.

Looking toward the day when the hardware my physically fail
due to 24/7 use or some kind of surge malfunction, what are my
options for having a backup device on hand of a generic nature as a cheap replacement?

I have asked around about changing services and what the tech
department of the prospective new service will do is scratch their heads and hem and haw about being able to 'reprogram' the device to adapt to a new service.

How much of this is BS? Either there is a firmware setting on the
physical modem or there isn't. My Actiontec says that if I change my user name or password it will no longer work. This does not imply any reset of the modem/router itself is made.

Can someone clarify this and suggest a cheap standby to keep on the shelf?

**johnwill** · 04-14-2007, 03:52 PM

All of this is going to depend on the specifics of the device and the ISP. Some ISP's have unique firmware for the devices they distribute, those are not usable on other networks.

**loninappleton** · 04-14-2007, 04:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by johnwill

All of this is going to depend on the specifics of the device and the ISP. Some ISP's have unique firmware for the devices they distribute, those are not usable on other networks.

Well when I went to a new provider they said they'd have to 'look at it'.

The Actiontec is on a provider using ATT/SBC and all their pricing
has followed SBC from the beginning.

So if the Actiontec in service now is on that SBC backbone can it just
be rolled over to ATT if ATT is selected as the new service? I know I should call the phone company but that is a nigthmare.

Anyway back to the Actiontec 701... it only has standard connections for
USB (not used) ethernet and power and phone line. Is there anything inside the case that these outfits diddle with?

In other words, any new connections will not be on cable setups or third party phone companies.

**loninappleton** · 04-15-2007, 12:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by johnwill

All of this is going to depend on the specifics of the device and the ISP. Some ISP's have unique firmware for the devices they distribute, those are not usable on other networks.

I found out the brand of the dsl modem used by SBC locally.

It is a Siemens Speedstream 5100.

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/AS...nnorswebguidec

The user I asked about this doesn't know much more than the name so
I did a google and got the picture of what's in the box.

The Siemens looks like a simpler device than the Actiontec. Price looks pretty high. Can anyone here say that the Siements (perhaps provided with the
SBC setup) allows more throughput for service than the Actiontec?

I'm running on minimal service and I'm just within the limits of the
wire to get dsl at all (probly 2 miles from the phone company.

If the service provider is SBC do they provide replacement hardware like in the old days of telephones?

04-14-2007, 02:28 PM	#1 (permalink)
loninappleton TSF Enthusiast Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 733 OS: Win2k, XP	Backup dsl modem for quick replacement i've been running my Actiontec 701 supplied by the ISP with my dsl service for a couple years. Looking toward the day when the hardware my physically fail due to 24/7 use or some kind of surge malfunction, what are my options for having a backup device on hand of a generic nature as a cheap replacement? I have asked around about changing services and what the tech department of the prospective new service will do is scratch their heads and hem and haw about being able to 'reprogram' the device to adapt to a new service. How much of this is BS? Either there is a firmware setting on the physical modem or there isn't. My Actiontec says that if I change my user name or password it will no longer work. This does not imply any reset of the modem/router itself is made. Can someone clarify this and suggest a cheap standby to keep on the shelf?

04-14-2007, 03:52 PM	#2 (permalink)
johnwill Manager, Networking Forums Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: S.E. Pennsylvania, US Posts: 41,802 OS: Windows 7, XP-Pro, Vista, Linux Blog Entries: 1	Re: Backup dsl modem for quick replacement All of this is going to depend on the specifics of the device and the ISP. Some ISP's have unique firmware for the devices they distribute, those are not usable on other networks. __________________ If TSF has helped you, Tell us about it! or Donate to help keep the site up! Microsoft MVP - Windows Desktop Experience