Need Rescue from Slaved/Hard Wired Spectrum Router

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Recently the Spectrum Sagecom FAST 5260 router croaked, and Spectrum replaced it with something The Devil made, a “WiFi 6 Router model SAX something or other”. Problems: This thing has it’s password imprinted on the back label, and the ONLY way you can change it is by using their app! Yes, the password is unique to each individual unit, but this is hardly secure from the party guest/relative/contractor from turning the thing around and seeing it!

I call it “Idiot’s Delight”, as that appears who it’s made for. Plug and Play.

And entering the gateway IP address to configure the thing only takes you to a Spectrum site that eventually tells you to download the app! I have read a thread on Reddit that only Spectrum Business customers have access to the router’s web interface.

(Everyone wants you to “USE THE APP!” Even my bank thinks that using their app “increases my security”!! [No, it doesn’t. It just makes it easier for you to know what my shoe size is!])

Man, if I downloaded and “used the app” every time I was exhorted to, my phone would get so constipated it wouldn’t work at all. What a “ween of blathers!”

And even if you used the app, from what I read the thing won’t let you do half the things you could with the old 5260…which, I admit was not much, but more then you can with this thing.

It’s obvious that Spectrum, not content to suck all the data it can out of this Hardwired Horror, wants you to plunge down the rabbit hole and give it all up. Well, guess what? I’m not going to do it! Step 1: Peel the label off the back of the router, and hide THAT in a safe. 2: Get a decent router of my own and tell them to take this thing and…oh, this IS a family forum, sorry.

Linksys used to make some very good routers that ran on Linux. Had one that ran for YEARS without an issue. Old and obsolete now… Question: Does anyone know of  such a modern-day Linksys router that runs on Linux, so I can tweak things my way, without having Charter know the color of my bath towel?

In the meantime, beware the Spectrum WiFi 6 Router!

Thanks to the group in advance!

Win7 Pro SP1 64-bit, Dell Latitude E6330 ("The Tank"), Intel CORE i5 "Ivy Bridge", 12GB RAM, Group "0Patch", Multiple Air-Gapped backup drives in different locations. Linux Mint Newbie
--
"The more kinks you put in the plumbing, the easier it is to stop up the pipes." -Scotty

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SueW, Myst

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Simply purchase a Spectrum compatible router and modem?

A quick internet search will help you identify compatible equipment.

And then consider using a VPN to protect your privacy?

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PL1

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Any router you purchase for use with Spectrum internet must be in their Authorized Modems to Use on the Spectrum Network list.

Just FYI, there are only a few Linksys models in that list.

Personally, I always preferred a “self-purchased” Arris (Motorola) non-WiFi cable modem for my Spectrum internet with a separate Linksys WiFi router between it and my internal network.

Once it became available in my area, I switched from Spectrum to Goggle Fiber which allowed me to directly connect my Linksys WiFi router to their fiber wall jack using a standard ethernet cable.

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As I read this “authorized modem” list, it is for modems and not wifi routers.  I have a Spectrum provided modem for internet and voice, and a Linksys wifi router.  No one at Spectrum said it needed to be approved.  In fact, Spectrum techs have been here for internet issues (was determined to be their cable to the house) and he said nothing about my router.

n0ads wrote:

Any router you purchase for use with Spectrum internet must be in their Authorized Modems to Use on the Spectrum Network list.

iPhone 13, 2019 iMac(SSD)

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Nibbled To Death By Ducks

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pmcjr6142

You noted that you have, “… a Spectrum provided modem for internet and voice ….”

It is my understanding that you are required to use a Spectrum modem if you have Spectrum voice.

After the modem you should be able to use your own router.

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Kathy Stevens wrote:

It is my understanding that you are required to use a Spectrum modem if you have Spectrum voice.

Correct but they may provide two different modems.

My Aunt has Spectrum internet + voice and the tech installed an Arris BG860 cable modem for her high-speed internet and an Arris TM1602a cable modem for the voice part when it was first activated.

I never really understood why they did that since she discovered the voice modem can also supply internet connectivity (she once had a problem with the internet modem not working and, until they could get a tech out to fix it, they “temporarily” activated internet access thru the voice modem.)

When they came out to fix things, they replaced the Arris BG860 with one of their newer WiFi capable modem/routers (it’s branded as “Spectrum” so we have no idea who actually made it?!?!) but they left her voice modem “as is” even though the new modem/router also included voice capability (it has two phone jacks on the rear and two status lights for Tel1 & Tel2 on the front.)

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You may also want to consider terminating your Spectrum phone service and replace it with Vonage or a similar voice over internet service.

That way you can free yourself of any and all Spectrum equipment and associated expense.

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Kathy…that is why I have the configuration I do have.  A Spectrum modem for both internet and Spectrum Voice.  Behind it, a Linksys wifi router I provided.  With this configuration, the only problems I’ve ever had with internet, voice, or wifi have always been outside in a cable.

iPhone 13, 2019 iMac(SSD)

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pmcjr6142 wrote:

In fact, Spectrum techs have been here for internet issues (was determined to be their cable to the house) and he said nothing about my router.

Thanks.  This was my old game plan years ago.  I wasn’t sure how tight Spectrum had slammed the doors.

Seems like the thing to do is try and find a current-tech Linksys router, preferably one that runs on Linux, like my old WRT model. That thing never gave up.

Win7 Pro SP1 64-bit, Dell Latitude E6330 ("The Tank"), Intel CORE i5 "Ivy Bridge", 12GB RAM, Group "0Patch", Multiple Air-Gapped backup drives in different locations. Linux Mint Newbie
--
"The more kinks you put in the plumbing, the easier it is to stop up the pipes." -Scotty

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pmcjr6142

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If the link in @n0ads ‘ s post doesn’t provide you any help, then try the following link, which is a full list of Spectrum-supplied equipment. The list is broken down by (in order that they’re on the page from top to bottom) modems, routers, WiFi Pods, modem/router combos, and the list goes on. Under each category, (modems, routers, or modem/router combos), look very carefully for the model number of your equipment. For modems and for routers (they’re listed separately), look for the type it is first (WiFi 6 or WiFi 6E, for example) then look for the specific model number.

https://www.spectrum.net/support/internet/modems-routers-wireless-adapters

IF you find that your new piece of equipment from Spectrum is only a router, you’re free to purchase your own router and put it behind the modem, thereby retaining all control of what it does instead of having to go through a Spectrum website to get into its inner workings. Purchasing your own router will also save you money in that you won’t have to pay a monthly rental fee for the router, thereby paying for itself over time (in a year or two).

Please let us know how it goes and what you’ve been able to find out.

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Nibbled To Death By Ducks, pmcjr6142

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Thanks, all. I’m going to look at what’s available on the Linksys site, and see if they have a model that runs Linux.

I don’t expect to be where I a for very long, so I may just live with this &^%%$ thing and peel and hide the label until I leave, and get my own when I find a permanent base.

in the meantime, if anyone knows of a good router, Linksys or otherwise that runs Linux, please tell me about it. I was really impressed with that old bulletproof WRT54G-it ran like a rocket and I never had an issue with it for years.

Win7 Pro SP1 64-bit, Dell Latitude E6330 ("The Tank"), Intel CORE i5 "Ivy Bridge", 12GB RAM, Group "0Patch", Multiple Air-Gapped backup drives in different locations. Linux Mint Newbie
--
"The more kinks you put in the plumbing, the easier it is to stop up the pipes." -Scotty

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As far as I know, all Linksys modems use a Linux shell via a GUI interface.

A lot of them, like my WRT1200AC, also support using an alternative OS like DD-WRT.

Just be aware, most of the newer models will also instruct you to download an app to configure them but, if you enter the actual IP address, you can still access the configuration menu directly without the app.

As for a possible Linksys modem, the Linksys CG7500 AC1900 Dual-Band Modem WiFi Router is approved for use on Spectrum and the interface it uses is very similar to your old WRT54G (CG7500 user guide).

BTW, I was always a huge fan of the WRT54G myself and my new WRT1200AC is just as solid!

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Nibbled To Death By Ducks

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I’m with Xfinity/Comcast, and I’ve never used their modem/router because I had no intention of renting something I can own outright.  I use a Motorola MG7550 modem/router/WiFi and a Netgear Ethernet router behind that; I can disconnect everything Ethernet and still have WiFi available.  The MG7550 is Xfinity/Comcast approved, and has a browser interface, no app necessary.  It’s long-in-the-tooth but still works great.  I have whole-house WiFi without repeaters/mesh; TV’s and laptops connected, and my son’s PC has a PCIe WiFi card, so he’s connected as well.

And it is my understanding that all consumer-available modem/routers use some iteration of Linux.

Always create a fresh drive image before making system changes/Windows updates; you may need to start over!

We all have our own reasons for doing the things that we do with our systems; we don't need anyone's approval, and we don't all have to do the same things.

We were all once "Average Users".

Computer Specs

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Myst, Nibbled To Death By Ducks

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