Router + Modem/Router Questions

[IanMinatani]

We have a trash ISP-Provided Modem/Router(PK5001Z), and i was wondering if it was possible to replace or add onto, our Nighthawk R7000. 

 

Idea: Using the ISP given Modem/Router as a modem, and attaching the Router to Route things.

 

Questions:

Is it possible?

Will it help connectivity?

If the PK5001Z cannot port forward, will the R7000 be able to, and work (For game servers).

If possible, how may i accomplish such a task.

 

 

Thank you for any and all input

 

[Maximusfoximus]

What I did was just call my ISP (spectrum) and asked them to allow me to use my own router. They'll always allow it, but the ISP modem is normally fine. It is always the routers that they provide that are garbage. I replaced whatever it was that they gave me (my incoming speed is 450 down and 30 up) and my down speed increased 400mbs per second and my up speed increased by 20. I replaced the router first with the archer c9 (great router but not made for a house 6000 square feet), and then moved to the netgear orbis that give me consistent speed all around my house.

[IanMinatani]

Sweet beans, thank you, but what if they gave us a router/modem combo, like 2-in-1 deal? Would it still work? Thank you

sorry for my noob-ness

[John Ellmaker]

Your model does have port forwarding but you have to go to the advanced menu to make entries.

 

The nighthawk you listed may be one of the models effected by vpnfilter so if you do buy it change the default password and upgrade the firmware.  You’ll have to port forward on each if you double nat, once from the dsl modem to the ip of the nighthawk and then from the nighthawk to the game server.

 

Turn off WiFi on the Zytel modem if you do this

[IanMinatani]

5 minutes ago, John Ellmaker said:

Your model does have port forwarding but you have to go to the advanced menu to make entries.

 

The nighthawk you listed may be one of the models effected by vpnfilter so if you do buy it change the default password and upgrade the firmware.  You’ll have to port forward on each if you double nat, once from the dsl modem to the ip of the nighthawk and then from the nighthawk to the game server.

 

Turn off WiFi on the Zytel modem if you do this

Thank you! 

Port Forwarding on the Zytel is pointless, i'll put in all the information then it wont actually save the port-forward.....

 

[John Ellmaker]

See if there is a firmware update for that zytel or see if you can use a netgear dsl modem, I recall being able to buy and install one on a centurylink household.

 

Some dsl providers also let you buy a unit, just make sure it’s an upgrade to your current model

[John Ellmaker]

Also if you didn’t parse our what I was saying about double nat, some modems can reduce to modem only so your router gets the public ip, I just don’t recall if your modem allows that.  Then you’d only have the port forwarding on the netgear to your game server in that case

[IanMinatani]

1 minute ago, John Ellmaker said:

Also if you didn’t parse our what I was saying about double nat, some modems can reduce to modem only so your router gets the public ip, I just don’t recall if your modem allows that.  Then you’d only have the port forwarding on the netgear to your game server in that case

OOOH thank you so much for that description. I can build PC's like legos, but networking is a mystery to me <3

Thank you EVERYONE for your help