Forum Discussion

brodriguez182's avatar
brodriguez182
New Contributor
11 days ago

Wanting to Separate Modem/Router unit into 2 units

I can't stand Cox's modem/router combo units. Out of being too busy and lazy, I've stuck with one for a minute now but I simply can't anymore. I have 2 questions regarding this, 1) What is the process of separating the 2? Years ago I had to go to a Cox store and exchange it for the modem only and then set up my router separately. Is this still the case? Or is there a way to just have the unit function as a modem only? 2) If there is a way to change its settings so that it's modem only, what is the login information used for the web browser login? I have tried admin/admin, admin/password, nothing seems to work. Got in a chat with a rep from India who had no idea what I was even asking for to the point that he eventually stopped replying so I'm not even sure how to go about acquiring credentials. Thanks in advance!

  • WiderMouthOpen's avatar
    WiderMouthOpen
    7 days ago

    Oh so you have fiber? If so, the Panoramic gateway is actually only acting as a router. The modem inside has already been disabled. That means you can't use bridge mode because that disables the router inside, and you can't disable the modem AND the router, because what would you have left? However, because it's working as a router, any other normal router can do it's function. You just need a wifi router with a Ethernet WAN port and DHCP compatible, which is most routers. You can't go by how many ethernet ports are on the device anymore because some modem/router combos only have 2 LAN ports, and some stand alone modems have 2 or even 4 ethernet ports. You can only use 1 of those ports for service unless you have a business account that allows multiple IP addresses. So what you are looking for is a device with a ethernet port marked WAN. Sometimes it will be labeled "internet" and will usually be a different color.

    What speed do you pay for? What kind of wifi devices do you have? Wifi 5/6/6e/7? Did you have a budget? The gl-inet Flint 2 router is a great choice for any speed service as long as you are fine with wifi 6.

  • WiderMouthOpen's avatar
    WiderMouthOpen
    Esteemed Contributor
    11 days ago

    Cox doesn't rent modems, only modem/router gateways. If you want a modem, you will have to buy it. I think Cox sells the CVA4004 in the store, but I don't know for how much. See here for a full list of compatible devices. The ones marked "integrated wifi = No" are regular modems. The Arris S34 is a great modem, or the Hitron CODA if you trying to save money and get 1Gbps or under service.

    Do you pay for the combo/gateway? If so, you can put it in bridge mode and use your own router. You would need a router with a ethernet WAN port and be DHCP compatible. If you have 2Gbps service, make sure the router has dual 2.5Gbps ports, one for WAN and one for LAN. The Cox site has a list of tested routers if that gives you someplace to start.

    If user: admin password:password don't work, someone must have changed it. Factory reset it. If it's a white Panoramic gateway, press the WPS button on the back(above phone jacks) for 60 seconds. It needs to be the FULL 60 seconds, otherwise it just activate WPS, which is for adding wifi printers and the like.

    PS. Don't use chat. Either call Cox during normal business hours or use one of the methods in the sticky on this forum.

    PPS. Are you internet only? No phone? I ask because if you have a phone, you cam swap the Panoramic gateway for a FREE internet/phone(eMTA) like the TM3402. No router inside so you can use it with your own router.

    • Darkatt's avatar
      Darkatt
      Honored Contributor
      10 days ago

      If they don't have telephone service, the phone modem is rented. 

    • brodriguez182's avatar
      brodriguez182
      New Contributor
      7 days ago

      Thanks so much for the detailed info. Really helps a lot! I've yet to try the factory reset but I am leaning towards that in hopes it helps me put it in bridge mode. Are there any repercussions speed/efficient-wise for putting it in bridge mode while using a router separately? And yes to the combo gateway for panoramic wifi. 

      Also, Cox runs an ethernet cable for fiber and not a traditional coax cable from my wall (I live in new builds where there are no coax setups to my knowledge) and so I'm finding a lot of modems that don't support fiber and therefore only have a coax connection and 1 ethernet cable connection for the router. If I find one that has 2 ethernet connections, would it be safe to assume that I can connect it online via 1 ethernet plugin from my wall and then to the router with the other ethernet? I've been a little out of date on all this for a few years now. Thanks again!

      • WiderMouthOpen's avatar
        WiderMouthOpen
        Esteemed Contributor
        7 days ago

        Oh so you have fiber? If so, the Panoramic gateway is actually only acting as a router. The modem inside has already been disabled. That means you can't use bridge mode because that disables the router inside, and you can't disable the modem AND the router, because what would you have left? However, because it's working as a router, any other normal router can do it's function. You just need a wifi router with a Ethernet WAN port and DHCP compatible, which is most routers. You can't go by how many ethernet ports are on the device anymore because some modem/router combos only have 2 LAN ports, and some stand alone modems have 2 or even 4 ethernet ports. You can only use 1 of those ports for service unless you have a business account that allows multiple IP addresses. So what you are looking for is a device with a ethernet port marked WAN. Sometimes it will be labeled "internet" and will usually be a different color.

        What speed do you pay for? What kind of wifi devices do you have? Wifi 5/6/6e/7? Did you have a budget? The gl-inet Flint 2 router is a great choice for any speed service as long as you are fine with wifi 6.

  • brodriguez182's avatar
    brodriguez182
    New Contributor
    5 days ago

    Thank you all for your help 🙏  and extra thanks Wider for taking the extra time to explain.