Own Modem/Router Advice

Discussions focus on using personal modems and routers instead of ISP-provided equipment, including recommendations for bridge mode, DOCSIS compatibility, and ISP policies on customer-owned hardware.

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Sample Comments

u801e Jun 19, 2019 View on HN

Does this apply if you're using your own modem/router?

oarla Jul 1, 2025 View on HN

Just get your own router and don't use ISP provided router.

Metacelsus Oct 13, 2020 View on HN

if this is Comcast, you can also just buy your own modem/router

rollcat Aug 10, 2023 View on HN

The problem is the builtin cable modem. I don't have the parameters/credentials, I have next to zero experience wrangling DOCSIS, and frankly I just don't want to bother. Switching to fiber soon enough anyway.

axus Dec 19, 2024 View on HN

I'm using the router provided by ISP as part of the contract for service. As long as they don't withhold administrator credentials, no problem.

zzo38computer Feb 2, 2025 View on HN

I have my own router, but use the ISP's modem. The modem is also able to act as a wired router and Wi-Fi router, but I set it to "bridge mode" to disable the wired NAT so that I could use my own router instead. (When they replaced the modem, I did tell them to enable bridge mode, and they did that, so that is not a problem.)

srejk Sep 19, 2023 View on HN

Look up TR-069. Always use your ISP-supplied router in bridge/modem mode only.

guipsp Sep 20, 2021 View on HN

Fwiw not all modems support this (and some do but the ISPs disable it).

antihero Nov 17, 2021 View on HN

Then get your own router and use their one as a glorified modem (some ISP routers will actually have a modem mode where they act purely as a modem)

idunnoman1222 Sep 11, 2024 View on HN

Those companies have nothing to do with my ISP router or modem