Connecting a router to BigPond or Optus Cable

Since the Telstra Heartbeat system was retired back in 2006-07 both Telstra and Optus now use an almost identical authentication system. However, installing a router to gain Internet sharing &/or security onto a Cable ISP isn't always straight forward and there are a few tricks and traps for the unwary.

Where to buy cable modems

Unlike ADSL, Cable modems can only be sourced from the Cable ISPs in Australia. You cannot buy a Cable modem or an all-in-one-cable-modem-router from a retailer. The main reason for this is that the Cable modem has to be registered on the Cable ISP's network before it will work.
However, to share your Cable Internet connection on a network you can buy plenty of routers that you can plug your exiting Cable modem into, provided it's the right type of Cable modem.

Have you got the right type of Cable modem to plug into a router?

The first thing to consider when looking for a router is the type of modem you have, and by that I mean if it's a plain old bridged modem or an all-in-one router-modem.

Router-modems: If you've got an all-in-one (Modem+Router+Wireless) modem such as the Netgear CG814WG, it is already a router so you already have everything you need. However, you could be in a bit of trouble if you if you're not happy with its standard capabilities and want to plug it into a more advanced router. In these cases you'll need to work out how to configure it into "bridging mode" or even if it's possible to do so. For some background information about bridging all-in-one modem-routers see my router FAQ 3.6.

Bridged modem: If you've got a plain modem like the Motorola SB5101 you're laughing. These can be plugged straight into a router without any special configuration.

Once you've figured out if you have a bridged modem, or how to get one either by asking your ISP about an exchanging your all-in-one for a plain modem or working out how to bridge your all-in-one, it's time to choose a router.

How to find the right router.

The main feature that the router must have is an ethernet WAN port, not one with a built-in ADSL modem. If it has a built-in ADSL modem it will only work on ADSL. Although an exception to that is Draytek's 2820 series which have both built-in ADSL modems and ethernet WAN ports so they can work on either type of ISP.

An easy way to find routers with an ethernet WAN port is to use my "Find products according to features" facility in the router review database and tick the box for either "One" or "More than One" beside WAN Ports. ("More than one" is for people with two or more broadband connections they wish to run simultaneously).
That will produce quite a large list on its own so choose some other features as well to narrow down the selection a bit.
Alternatively browse the Routers - Non-Wireless & Routers - Wireless categories at the OzTechnologies online shop. You'll find links there for each product back to the OzCableguy reviews and vice versa.

Configuring the Router

Once you have your Cable modem plugged into the Internet port on your router you'll need to follow your router's quick start guide to log into it to start configuring it.

Once logged into the Router you can choose the setup wizard (if it has one) or just go straight to the section where you enter your ISP settings. This would normally be called Basic Settings such as on a Netgear Router, or WAN or Internet Settings on most other products.
What you're looking for to make it connect to your ISP is an option called "DHCP", "ISP assigned" or an "ISP without a username & password" or similar.
Here is an example showing a typical Netgear Router -
And here is an example showing a D-Link Router -
And here is an example showing a Draytek Router -

Note: If you're on BigPond Cable and you see an option called "BigPond" such as in the D-Link example above, avoid it. This is for the old Heartbeat system which no longer exists.

Any IP address settings should remain as automatic (also called DHCP and ISP assigned)
Any DNS settings should also remain as automatic.
If there is an option to change the Mac address leave that with the factory default for the time being.

Click the Apply button or any other options required to save the settings and allow the router to reboot if it asks for it.

Once the router has rebooted test you are online by opening a Command Prompt Window* by clicking Start > Run > Type "Command" > Click "OK" >
Type "ping 144.135.18.10 -t" > press enter.
If it's not connected you'll get replies saying "Request Timed Out".
If the Router is off-line or rebooting you'll get replies saying "Destination unreachable"
When it has connected you'll get replies saying "Reply from 144.135.18.10: bytes=32 time=22ms TTL=248" or something like that.
Hit Control-C to stop the pings.

* If using a non-windows PC just try surfing the web to see if you're online.

If you're getting replies to the pings but cannot surf any websites, check your DNS and/or browser proxy settings. More information in the Router Troubleshooting FAQs.

The Secret Trick - Power Cycle the modem.

If you're not getting replies to the pings and therefore not online, switch the modem off (at the wall, not just the standby button on the top of the modem), wait 20 seconds or so then turn it back on again. Wait until all of the lights indicate it's booted and synced up again then do the same to the router and you should be up and away. (Switching the modem off clears any memory it might have had with the PC or previous router it was plugged into. Rebooting the router after that allows it to attempt to connect to the ISP again.)

Note: Switching routers off and on too quickly can sometimes cause them to throw wobblers or reset back to their factory default settings.

Spoofing the Mac Address

This is last resort only, but if switching the modem off as above didn't get things working try "spoofing" the mac address of the old Network Card that was previously connected to the Cable modem.

To find this Mac address, see http://ozcableguy.com/glossary.asp#mac
Write it down and then find a section in the Router that allows you to specify a Mac address for the WAN port and copy it there. (Note: Some Routers allow various fiddling with Mac addresses on LAN ports and this is not what we're looking for here. It must be referred to as WAN or Internet and not LAN or Local.)

Switch the Cable modem and router off and then back on after a few seconds pause and check if you're online now.

Warning: If you do decide to spoof the Mac address of a previous router or network card, one thing you don't want to happen is for the old router or network card to end up plugged into the same ISP at the same time. So if you decide to sell or give away the old one, make sure you get the new router working on its default Mac address first (it will usually connect by itself with the default Mac address if you just plug it in and leave it for a while).

If you're still not online go away for 30 minutes then check again. If still no good, look up your router manufacturer's Australian website and contact their support section. They will step you through the settings and/or diagnose the product as faulty and give you instructions for its repair or replacement under warranty.