Best Wi-Fi Setup using new Zyxel PK 5001 Z modem from Century Link

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Best Wi-Fi Setup using new Zyxel PK 5001 Z modem from Century Link

My wi-fi setup had consisted of a CenturyLink 660 modem and a white "original generation" Airport Extreme. I have a printer connected by ethernet and phones, apple TV, satellite TV, etc. connected to the Airport Extreme network. The modem died and CenturyLink sent me a Zyxel PK5001Z modem/router combination. I set it up according to their directions and connected my Airport Extreme via ethernet. All is working and I now have 2 LANs: my original working through the Airport Extreme and a new one just using the Zyxel. Both show up under the wi-fi symbol and I can click on the one I want to use. The Zyxel shows a transmit rate of 75-130 and the Airport Extreme always shows 54. It is a "g" and the Zyxel is a "n".

Since I've gotten this far, I want to finish up with the best wi-fi setup I can get. I've tried to educate myself through internet research and I know a lot more than I did a couple of days ago but still need some direction and advice. I see my choices as this;

1. Stay with my prior setup described above and ignore the new LAN created by the Xyxel.

2. Disconnect my AE and use the Zyxel only. Reset all my connected devices.

3. Buy a new Airport Extreme and use it just by hooking up with ethernet and setting it up like the current one.

4. Do "3" above but get CenturyLink to set the Zyxel in bridge mode (whatever that is).

5. Buy an Airport Express and use it instead of the Airport Extreme and setup as in "3" or "4" above.

MacBook Air, Mac OS X (10.7.5)

Posted on Jan 20, 2015 8:00 AM

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Answer 1

Best reply

Bob Timmons

Community+ 2024

Level 10

159,764 points

Jan 20, 2015 11:00 AM in response to 3Wood

Stay with my prior setup described above and ignore the new LAN created by the Xyxel.

Not sure why you would even consider this if you care about the performance on your network. The Xyxel is running circles around the older AirPort Extreme.

Disconnect my AE and use the Zyxel only. Reset all my connected devices.

Simplest solution if you don't really need two wireless networks.

Buy a new Airport Extreme and use it just by hooking up with ethernet and setting it up like the current one.

Makes sense if you also have newer computers and devices that can actually handle the faster 802.11ac wireless speeds. Otherwise, not much reason to do this unless you want to upgrade your devices in the future.

Do "3" above but get CenturyLink to set the Zyxel in bridge mode (whatever that is).

Only if Zyxel support is willing to help you do this. I imagine they will be less than thrilled if you ask them. If things don't work, Zyxel will blame Apple. When you call Apple, they will blame Zyxel.

Buy an Airport Express and use it instead of the Airport Extreme and setup as in "3" or "4" above.

Don't think that would offer you any better performance that you already have with the Zyxel.

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Answer 2

3Wood Author

Level 1

4 points

Jan 20, 2015 11:31 AM in response to Bob Timmons

Bob, you actually did give me the direction that I asked for and I really appreciate it. As I begin to make this change, two other related questions come to mind:

1. Can I just choose the Zyxel network under the wf-fi logo; change all my device settings to agree; leave the old AE network live? Would that cause any problem at all?

2. I ask that because I could put guests on the old network and avoid sharing my password, etc.

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Answer 3

Jan 20, 2015 3:51 PM in response to 3Wood

.

Can I just choose the Zyxel network under the wf-fi logo; change all my device settings to agree; leave the old AE network live?

Yes

Would that cause any problem at all?

In theory, no. But, you never know how wireless will behave until you try it out.

2. I ask that because I could put guests on the old network and avoid sharing my password, etc.

Chances are, the "guests" will be able to "see" devices on your private network, just as if they are connected to that network. If you want to try to isolate the "guests", then you will have to try to configure the AirPort Express in a different way....that may or may not work.

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Answer 4

3Wood Author

Level 1

4 points

Jan 20, 2015 5:36 PM in response to Bob Timmons

Thanks, Bob. All is set up (TV, printer, 2 iPhones) and working great.

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Answer 5

Jan 20, 2015 5:37 PM in response to 3Wood

Nice work!

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