Sprint DSL Router Installation

[WildTech]

Hi Gang,

I have a job coming up next week and I'm looking for a little background information before I jump into $%#@ up to my eyeballs.

Our area is mostly serviced by cable companies and I do many router installs each week. However, there is a small area that I work in that has Sprint DSL. I am installing a simple 2 workstation peer-to-peer network for a DSL customer and I need a little help on setting up his internet. The client has Sprint DSL with the Sprint Zyxel 645M modem/router. I normally use a Linksys Router. Would it be easier in this case to simply use a switch or is a router the better choice? Can anyone walk me threw the process or direct me to a site that has a detailed set of instructions on setting up this type of network? I've been to Sprints site and it offers nothing regarding this type of installation.


Thanks in advance!!

[NooNoo]

If the modem is also a router it will be doing dhcp for you. Just saves you a box, if its only a one port, then connect it to a switch, not another router.

When you say "this type of network" it is no different from cable, only that the modem plugs into the wall/telephone jack.

[WildTech]

Thanks NooNoo!

What I meant by "this type of network" was how the modem settings would be effected. When you replace a cable modem with a router you must run the SAS commands and actually replace the cable modems mac address with the routers throught the cable company. This registers the routers mac address as a legitimate user. Will I need to run any commands with the Sprint application if I hook into it with a switch?? Will I need to reset anything in the Sprint cable modem/router to allow multiple users??

Thanks for the reply!

[swamprat]

The 645M is a modem only, if it has an R at the end of the number, it is usually a modem/router. If it is the M series, then your router will be doing everything for the machines. If is the R series, once it is set up, you can assign ip adresses to each machine, and go from there. I've got 7 machines on one of the R series, mixture of 98SE and XP.

[WildTech]

Thanks Swamprat

The modem doesn't have an R on the front, but it does say that it is a modem/router on the bottom.

Will I have to do anything special to setup this modem router? I plan on using a switch.

Thanks!!