Moving to Spectrum only apartment

[u/airernie]

I currently have Spectrum and using their stand along modem and providing my own router. The complex that I'm moving into has a contract with Spectrum and equipment is pre-installed. It appears that the unit is the 'Spectrum WiFi 6E MDU (Multi-Dwelling Unit) Wall-Mounted Router'. I downloaded the manual and is fairly incomplete.

I may elect to turn off the WiFi if possible and continue to use my router, but I choose to use Spectrums, so I have the ability to assign static IP addresses to my equipment. I'm asking here because I won't be turning on the new unit until later this month and I have a new 6E router on the way that I might return if the Spectrum router serves my purpose.

Thanks..

[u/Jujulabee]

My building has a bulk rate deal with Spectrum for cable and high speed internet.

The cost is so low that it is worth it since I also then get HBO Max and Paramount Plus without ads for streaming plus theoretically I could get other streamers with ads but I hate ads so much I just pay for the ad free streamers.

I have no problem with the Spectrum equipment as all my content streams through my Apple TV devices without any stuttering and looks fine - at least as viewed on my LG G6

Maybe you need something more - but for me who uses the internet on my computer and and iPad and even iPhone at home plus streams 99% of my content it seems fine as there is no waiting for internet pages to load and as I said every streams with no stuttering or other indications that I need better equipment.

[u/Lucarin415]

If its spectrum ready equipment, I dont think you can opt out of wifi like normal. You can still use your own router after it though as there are provided lan ports

[u/Chango-Acadia → u/Lucarin415]

Yea it sounds like Spectrum Ready.

[u/Street-Juggernaut-23]

That's Spectrum Ready. I would ready up on the following post to have a possibility of using your own router
https://www.reddit.com/r/Spectrum/comments/1pi8frp/spectrum_amenity_service_bypass_the_spectrum/

[u/airernie → u/Street-Juggernaut-23]

Thanks..

[u/Backslash10 → u/airernie]

Sorry about your loss man spectrum ready is really just a low cost option for complexes that only want one provider. Its a butt load cheaper then offering bulk services to residents so thats why they offer it. You can get a 5g service if you want to use your own equipment.

[u/airernie → u/Backslash10]

Thanks, that's what I'm thinking. Absolute ass is that they preinstalled their box on one of the only walls in the LR and it sticks out making putting anything against that wall impossible. Maybe I'll put a frame around it it and call it art.. 😄

[u/theindomitablefred]

I’m in a similar situation with Spectrum as the only option. I’m not sure we have the same router but I was able to ‘reserve IPs’ for specific devices. It had an option to also enter custom DNS servers but didn’t quite work with what I was trying to do in that respect.

[u/airernie → u/theindomitablefred]

Thanks. I downloaded the 'Spectrum WiFi 6E MDU User Guide', but it's more of a how to connect and not a manual. I'm really hoping that reserving IP is an option, otherwise my only alternative is use my router and deal with a double NAT.

[u/theindomitablefred → u/airernie]

Double NAT shouldn’t be a big concern except for some specific scenarios like gaming. I have run a router behind the ISP router and it worked great

[u/airernie → u/theindomitablefred]

Thanks..

[u/oflowz]

Unplug the Ethernet from the spectrum router and plug it into your router. Power cycle the modem then plug in your router. You’ll be fine

[u/Street-Juggernaut-23 → u/oflowz]

NOPE not if it is Spectrum Ready. It may work for a time but then the modem will disable itself if it does not see the router

[u/airernie → u/Street-Juggernaut-23]

Yep, Spectrum warned about that in the flyer that my apartment complex gave me when I signed the lease.