Router not seeing ethernet connection

[christoph.lawrence]

My current set-up is a simple 802.11n router, which has limited speed, linked by an RJ11 DSL line. I upgraded to an 802.11ac router/modem, but i'm getting a strange response when trying to bypass the current router.

I can maintain the old router, and then link the new router through a LAN RJ45 CAT5 ethernet cable, set on dynamic IP mode, and get internet. But when trying to bypass the old router, the new router simply isn't seeing a cable plugged in at all.

I first bought an rj11 to rj45 wire that can link the DSL line to the WAN input of the new router, but when I did, the router says there's no cable connected. I thought it might have been the category of wire, so I bought an RJ45 to RJ45 coupler, that can link the DSL line to the ethernet cable i had linked to the LAN with the old router, but again, the router isn't recognising that any wire is connected at all. Is there a minimum voltage signal that new routers are wired to recognise that DSL doesn't transmit? Is there anything i can do that doesn't involve linking the router through a LAN modem?

 

[bill001g]

Your problem is that DSL and ethernet are far more than just a physical type of connector. The way the data is electronically carried on the wire is very different.

Ethernet can only go 100 meters which is part of the reason it is never used to connect between your house and the ISP office.

You will always need a modem of some type in your house, even if you had a ISP that used fiber to deliver ethernet you need a device to convert.

You should be able to set your old dsl router to bridge mode. You will then need to run PPPoE in the WAN setting on your other router.

In general you should be able to run the new router behind the old route just as it is. You can disable the wireless radios in the DSL router so you connect only to the second router. Your network speed will be limited by the DSL connection in most cases before a router will actually slow you down.

 

[christoph.lawrence]

Hi Bill, thanks for the response. I guess that's where I'm confused, as I was under the impression when I bought it that the new router is both a modem and router like my old router is, and should therefore connect directly to the ISP without the need of an extra modem (hence why i bought it). But from what I can see from your post is that, unless it has a DSL input, then it's simply not a modem at all, and I would have to link it to either the old router via PPPoE bridge mode or a new DSL modem. Am I understanding that correctly?

Your problem is that DSL and ethernet are far more than just a physical type of connector. The way the data is electronically carried on the wire is very different.

Ethernet can only go 100 meters which is part of the reason it is never used to connect between your house and the ISP office.

You will always need a modem of some type in your house, even if you had a ISP that used fiber to deliver ethernet you need a device to convert.

You should be able to set your old dsl router to bridge mode. You will then need to run PPPoE in the WAN setting on your other router.

In general you should be able to run the new router behind the old route just as it is. You can disable the wireless radios in the DSL router so you connect only to the second router. Your network speed will be limited by the DSL connection in most cases before a router will actually slow you down.

 

[bill001g]

You are correct most router do not contain modems. They must have a actual DSL port to connect directly to phone line. It is the same as cable modem/routers. Most routers do not contain a cable modem.

 

[christoph.lawrence]

Stupid me! This is how life teaches us! Thanks for help clearing up that silly newbie mistake, Bill. Have a great weekend!