Upgraded device causing issues
Upgraded device causing issues
I received a message from Spectrum informing them that they had made adjustments to my account recently. They confirmed that I was receiving updates about a new modem and router. I used the Arris 1682 model. If you prefer not to investigate further, it functions as a dual-band device offering speeds around 500mbps, featuring four Ethernet ports all active, and being versatile enough for placement in various locations. I’m comfortable with that; I’m paying for this exact performance and am receiving it through the correct setup. Additionally, I manage an FTP server and successfully port-forwarded on a PC without needing to navigate through a specific browser address. I could access ports via network hardware. That was very convenient.
The initial call indicated I had limited options regarding equipment upgrades. I followed up later and learned I could simply install any modem/router and activate it, regardless of brand. The reason for the upgrade was that Arris products are their standard. Still, I’d rather maintain my current setup.
My second call brought some relief. Today I received the new equipment and began configuration. Beyond the challenging activation process and app setup, I lost an Ethernet port and can no longer connect my non-WIFI cameras—definitely not a replacement. The port forwarding issue emerged; I attempted to use the Spectrum app, but it flagged port 21 as requiring specific settings. After some research, I discovered FTP only supports TCP, not UDP. When I tried opening port 21, the app blocked it with three numbers, indicating a configuration error. It clarified that static IPs are necessary for port forwarding, and since my FTP server uses a fixed IP, I had to adjust it.
I spoke to a representative tonight who confirmed that port 21 is indeed TCP-based and needed three digits. He admitted he wasn’t familiar with the details and didn’t know anyone else in the team could help. Now I’m considering purchasing a separate router/modem combo instead of relying on the provided equipment.
My two main concerns are:
1. How can I configure port forwarding on Spectrum devices using the Spectrum app without needing IP reservations?
2. What’s an affordable dual-band modem/router with visible lights for each band, four Ethernet ports, and no proprietary software? I’m finding current options expensive and confusing.
Initially, it's usually a poor choice to rely on FTP, particularly with a login, since it transmits data unencrypted over the Internet. Secondly, what do you mean by "routerwide"? Port forwards always target a single device because routers assign one public IP address. By forwarding ports, traffic appears to originate from that public IP by routing between your local network and the public address. Thirdly, employing IP Reservation is beneficial—it's strongly advised over static IPs since everything is centralized on the router. Losing an Ethernet port is disappointing, but Gigabit switches are affordable so it isn't a major issue.
It was just a learning process for me. I dislike transferring large files—like 5-10 GB—from my work computer to storage using flash drives. With FTP, it’s a single transfer and usually fast. I was exploring Filezilla and focusing on the security side of things. When I tried port forwarding before, I’d connect network devices on my PC and adjust modem settings to open ports. Every article and video suggested porting was a broad setup rather than something per device. For Minecraft servers, it was simple—just open a port on my desktop and it worked. With FTP, I opened 21 for ftp on the desktop while the server ran on the laptop next to it. For IP reservations, I had set my laptop as a static IP, which stayed consistent after reboots. In the app, it asked me to enable that setting for the device (which some called a desktop) before I could proceed with porting. That seemed to override my static configuration. If that happened, I wouldn’t want it. I have four devices needing Ethernet. There’s a router on the opposite side of the house, feeding someone’s TV because the room blocks Wi-Fi—it’s our only option. My desktop doesn’t support Wi-Fi and needs Ethernet for maximum speed. I also have another router outside, used by two others, and a security system that I had to disconnect. It can only use Ethernet. Initially, I hesitated because space was tight; the provider gave me small cables and oversized devices. I had limited room and power outlets, so I unplugged two more gadgets, leaving me with just one option: the Arris 1682. I didn’t want another device taking up space, so I stayed with it. I’m planning to visit Walmart soon to check for a better alternative, but it could take months before I can afford it.
The traditional method likely involved uPNP to automatically set up a port forward on the router, but this is no longer advised today. Malware or any unexpected software could replicate this action, possibly exposing vulnerabilities. You should disable the fixed IP address on the device itself, as it's better to reserve the static IP through DHCP. The main responsibility for IP addressing and port forwards lies with the router, so handling them together simplifies management, especially when adding more devices. I assign every LAN device a DHCP static IP, allowing me to update the list easily without adjusting each client individually.
I've heard concerns about UPNP's security, but I wasn't using it since I only recently learned about it. If I could revisit the older setup, I could demonstrate my actions through screenshots. The new device is only available as an app, which complicates my approach to troubleshooting. It was a Windows 10 feature that let me connect to the router as a device rather than manually entering the IP address and configuring TPD and UDP while assigning a name.
It just launched a properties window then an option inside that let me input name, IP, TDP and UDP. I used it for configuring ports in Minecraft servers and it performed well. The only time I needed to visit the 192 browser page was to adjust SSID and Password. On a related point, the device here: Motorola MG7540 (16x4) Cable Modem + AC1600 Dual Band Wi-Fi Router Combo, DOCSIS 3.0 Certified by Comcast Xfinity, Cox, Charter Spectrum, Maximum 686 Mbps - Walmart.com The interface is quite confusing. There are clues suggesting it operates at gigabit speeds while other details point to lower numbers. I’m paying for 500mbps from Spectrum and don’t want to fall short, yet the specs seem contradictory. The label claims 600+ Mbps, but the images show up to 300, and the description mentions 1000 Mbps.
Gigabit will serve as the LAN connections, while 686Mbit appears to be the maximum supported speed via the modem. The 300Mbit connection is tied to certain ISPs; my assumption is these providers use DOCSIS 3.1 for higher performance, making this setup incompatible.