A backup DSL modem/router for an ATT Model 5031W install

[loninappleton]

I'm not literate in al the ins and outs of home networking. My concern is having a backup-- a plug and play replacement--
if the ATT installed unit fails (not likely) or is damaged from normal accidents and wear and tear. Are there
low priced commercial units to use before a service call is possible? My DSL ISP service is a third party provider from ATT.
The ISP places the order and setup for ATT.

The name on the unit is: Model 5031W a black shell standup sort

And the service guy gave me no setup booklet. I had a bit of setup for other ISPs products in the past. There's a tag on the ATT with a help number and some sort of password. None of this was explained for use. The install was smooth
and the installer was not hiding anything. I just didn't know what ask. And I don't know how to access the setup screens
on the PC for this one for a replacement.

ATT websites look helpful but in this area they don't provide a clear path to plug and play replace that I saw.
I don't know if the ISP has loaners-- which is something I should ask about.

 

[samuria]

Very often if you search ebay often they have old routers for sale and you may get the exact one

 

[loninappleton]

I'll try that but it's often the case with product like ATT that it is a lease arrangement to be returned at the
end of use.

Any idea where the manuals are located for the unit? As I said This setup was done by the
company and no user materials were given. No doubt that is some sort of proprietary interest or just
the installer didn't think it was important. Dunno. I'm just not much on knowing how to search.

- - - Updated - - -

These are _comments_ from an Ebay sale item of the 5031. The bid price is a dollar so I'll watch that. From the
description a replacement should be plug and play after ATT does all the lookup of it. quoted Does the job if you have 6Mbps AT&T U-verse
This is the modem AT&T U-Verse leases to you when you have their Basic 6 internet plan. It works for them and them only and for speeds less than 10Mbps. I bought this used and plugged it into my internet phone cable. It booted up in 5 minutes. Then AT&T automatically upgraded the modem’s firmware/software (power light flashed amber instead of green for about 10 minutes) and it booted up for good.Worked great.

ATT says OK to have a back up one.



close multiple quotes

I tried a plain google search on a manual for setup but didn't find anything. Usually there is an IP address or something
you would enter in the browser search.

 

[file3456]

From this webpage, it appears the modem's IP address for the online browser interface is 192.168.1.254 Note: that webpage is talking about connecting a router to your AT&T modem. The pertinent information here is just the IP address to get into the modem.

This appears to be your manual.

The activation process looks like a simple visit to att.net/uverse. Though, I'd call them to activate the modem since they'll probably need the MAC address or some other number from the modem. Having said that, if you buy another modem on eBay, I'd make sure that Info. is present on the modem. If not, you won't be able to have the modem activated with AT&T.

I don't use DSL and never have, but I'm sure you could use any of these modems. Filter by price low to high and use a Buy It Now. Bids are a suckers game when a buy it now can be had for the same cost as the bids or less. Plus, you save time. Bids are more for high dollar items like rare collectables or what ever. And at that you'd use a Sniper service. I highly recommend Gixen.

Do keep in mind you want something built in the last century, i.e. a modem built withen at least the last four years or so. The Arris NVG599 looks promising. Why? Has good reviews on eBay (for what ever that's worth) and has Gig speed LAN ports. You want Gig speed LAN ports if you share files and what not from computer to computer or device in your local home network. Since you indicated your Internet speed is pretty slow, a Gig router won't do anything for you other than having the speed benefit of local networking in your house/office.

Here's a Wikipedia entry on equipment. AT&T Internet - Wikipedia

If for what ever reason you want to connect a router to your modem, you'll need a modem with IP passthough capability. Refer to the previos link for instructions on setting that up. For cable modems this is called "bridging." Perhaps that's used in the new DSL modems. I don't know. IP passthough is probably the same thing.

Addendum:

If you're leasing your modem now, perhaps buy two modems. One to use so that you're not being nickeled and dimed with a lease and another for a backup.

The router has a WIFI password. Change this to your own password. One that's fairly complicated and long. Like, tEaspoon3YoufOol! This is where a great password manager comes in like Bitwarden. I use Bitwarden and Keepass...

NEVER use WPS! That is even easier to hack then a pasworded WPA2 WIFI connection. Cracking WPA2 WIFI involves brute force. The more complex the password the harder it is to crack. But there are some other CVEs ( Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures) but I think Windows et al and hardware manufacturers have patched that now.

From a security perspective I'd go with a router (a good, reputable router) connected to the modem. This new router should be flashed with ASUS Merlin or DD-WRT or other third-party firmware that's often updated. Reason why is because simply using the modem without IP passthough to a router has certain flaws with exposed ports in the modem. What a hacker will do is turn your modem or router into a zombie botnet as a steeping stone for nefarious activity. There are hundreds if not thousands of routers/modems that have been hacked all around the world now. Port 7547 is a port that's often exposed by a modem for ISP uses. This port can be hacked. The Most Common Protocol You’ve Never Heard Of - Censys

I realize this adds more complexity, but just putting it out there for you or anyone that comes across and reads this. Read my forum post here on securing your modem/router.

 

[loninappleton]

Lots of detail here so thanks for that. My hope would be not to have to go through a manual but it would have been nice to at least be given one. Other thing is I have a strong preference for a printed booklet. Reading page after page of
online anything is just a way for me to lose my place.

I'll go over what you have at the same time hoping I never have a fail incident.

I think I'd viist my ISP office to see what they say as well.

 

[file3456]

My hope would be not to have to go through a manual but it would have been nice to at least be given one.

You're not the only one that doesn't get any kinda of manual that I know of. I certainly didn't get one. With Comcast they don't give you a manual for the modem. It's kinda hard for me to say this, but in today's era of online information and online help forums provided by the companies or enthusiasts, help and printable literature is just a click away. If you're like me and prefer printed material or books, then print the information.

Off topic, but I'd always go for the hard copy of books in any form over their digital counterparts like Kindal. Reason is due to the possibility of no Internet connection, broken hardware, acts of God and the like. Then there's the censorship thing to worry about. So printed material is practically worth its weight in gold... And me being the prepper person I am, that very book could one day buy food or friggin band-aids in a society of collapse.

Anyway... LOL I leave you with this parody.






Here's the original. Time Enough at Last - YouTube

 

[loninappleton]

I see you gave credit to the Burgess Meredith episode. I thought of it immediately because I remember when I saw it on first run.
All said, I did not bear down on this yet. It may just hang until a time of need but a good reminder to
see the ISP for 'loaners' of lease items. One thing I noticed about them is even though they are local they are statewide.
They seem to drop online message inquiries but the office is in town so I'll go visit them. I have a low opinion of telephone chat and am no good at it. PC use is about my only outlet from a line phone.