Can I replace my PCCW modem/router with my own choice?

[AsiaJason]

I have a borderline P.O.S. chinese "ZTE" PCCW branded router that was setup with my internet-only (no NOW tv) plan.

I say borderline, because it has been performing adequately - until I added my 2nd Mac to the mix. It's the router - for sure.

I want to simply add my own modem+router+switch in it's place. Can that be done with PCCW? If so, can any name-brand modem+router+switch (dlink, engenius, netgear, linksys) work - or do I need one that allows particular setups - and if so, which ones?

If I can't use just any, the only thing I can think of, is I would have to add a router+switch behind the ZTE - BUT the ZTE doesn't even have any way of turning off the wireless! I mean really! Not to mention I'm then NAT behind NAT, etc. and what a crap setup forwarding packets would be.

Has anyone ever requested better hardware from PCCW and got it?

And if there are other suggestions - I'd be happy to hear them!

[PDLM]

It certainly isn't easy. Most people just put another router behind the PCCW DSL Modem/router, although I seem to remember someone reporting they they sort of got one specific type of DSL modem to work with a lot of faffing about.

[AsiaJason]

Most people just put another router behind the PCCW DSL Modem/router

yea, I would - but nat->nat port forwarding makes me shiver. and the fact that the ZTE is a wireless modem/router. So I would have *two* wireless nets.

Can I request PCCW give me a non-wireless modem/router? that would at least solve the two wireless net (which is only a nuisance)...

...and still doesn't solve the nat->nat

And I noticed something funny in the ZTE config page... there is no setup screen for the PPOE stuff. Anyone know how that's possible? hidden page?

[ou7blaze]

It certainly isn't easy. Most people just put another router behind the PCCW DSL Modem/router, although I seem to remember someone reporting they they sort of got one specific type of DSL modem to work with a lot of faffing about.

I am having a similar problem in my thread here: http://www.geoexpat.com/forum/119/thread173913.html

Any suggestions?

Thanks

[pin]

I do remember a while back someone posting that they were able to get their own router to work, however I can't remember where that post is.

I think you can get it so pccw supply you with just the modem and you go out and buy your own wireless router, that is what I have done.

[PDLM]

Getting a router to work is trivial. What the OP appears to want to do is to get a DSL modem to work. That is not.

[pin]

Getting a router to work is trivial. What the OP appears to want to do is to get a DSL modem to work. That is not.

Sorry, PDLM, you are correct. I should have said my modem. I had my own DSL modem when I first came to HK, but couldn't get it to work with PCCW. About a year later, someone posted that they had successfully managed to get their DSL modem to work, but I can't remember the exact circumstances.

[PDLM]

I can't remember the exact circumstances.

Google is your friend
http://www.geoexpat.com/forum/117/th...tml#post281211

[pin]

Google is your friend
http://www.geoexpat.com/forum/117/th...tml#post281211

Thanks. Irony is that I commented on that thread as well. I didn't bother actually trying it out on my own modem at the time.

[dossier]

Reopening this old issue, can someone explain to me why it is difficult to replace the PCCW supplied router/modem with an "all in one" ADSL modem+router+wifi solution (e.g. made by Fritzbox, Linksys, etc.). Is there something specific about the PCCW ADSL that complicates this?

In the UK, I have happily replaced the BT Broadband supplied all-in-one router/modem/wifi with boxes manufacturered by Fritzbox (for instance) to provide a single adsl model/router/wifi solution

Thanks