Internet Help

General

How do I connect more than one PC to my Actiontec 1520 or 1524 modem?
Use the four yellow Ethernet ports on the back of the Actiontec 1520 or 1524 modem. This four-port switch connects up to four PCs at one time - without configuration changes.

• Actiontec 1520 – use a straight-through Ethernet cable for each PC you connect.
• Actiontec 1524 – use either a straight-through or standard patch cable for each PC. The four-port switch automatically detects the cable type.
• For additional cables visit your local computer retailer or the Actiontec Web site. Or call Actiontec at 1-800-720-9844.

How do I connect more than four computers to my modem if I’ve used all four Ethernet ports?
Use an Ethernet hub or switch. Run a standard Ethernet cable (patch cable) from the UPLINK port of your new hub or switch to one of the yellow Ethernet ports on the back of the Actiontec modem. Or, set up wireless network.

What are the slots on the left side of the Actiontec® Wireless-Ready DSL Gateway – Models 1520 and 1524?
The slots on the side of the modems are used to add modeActiontec 1524m features. The top slot is for the Actiontec PC Card wireless adapter that connects to computers equipped with a wireless card.

How do I connect a telephone to the same jack I’ve plugged my modem into?

• Actiontec 1520 – There is no built-in telephone port. Simply use the splitter you received in your Modem Kit to connect a telephone and your modem through the same wall jack. Contact us to purchase additional splitters or filters.
• Actiontec 1524 – Use the built-in phone port on the back of the modem to connect a telephone. The port is pre-filtered and doesn’t require a phone filter (microfilter).

Which protocols do the Actiontec® Wireless-Ready DSL Gateway – Models 1520 and 1524 support?
The internal LAN connections support multiple protocols (e.g.,TCP/IP, NetBEUI, IPX/SPX and AppleTalk). The external WAN connection supports only TCP/IP.

What connection speeds do the Actiontec® Wireless-Ready DSL Gateway – Models 1520 and 1524 support?

• The yellow Ethernet LAN connections are auto-detecting and support 10 Megabits per seconds (Mbps) or 100 Mbps connections.
• The WAN connection supports up to 8 Mbps downstream and up to 1 Mbps upstream.
• The 802.11b wireless connection supports up to 11 Mbps.
• Wireless speeds vary depending on signal quality, environmental factors and physical distance.

Do I need an additional modem to use the Gateway functionality of the Actiontec 1520 or 1524 modems?
No. The Actiontec® Wireless-Ready DSL Gateway – Models 1520 and 1524 supplied with your Qwest high-speed Internet service have a built-in full-rate modem.

How do I update the Actiontec 1520 or 1524 modem firmware?
We strongly recommend you use Qwest firmware updates to update your modem firmware. The firmware available from the Actiontec Web site is not compatible with Qwest high-speed Internet service; if you download and install that version, your high-speed Internet service may not work.

Wireless Internet

What equipment do I need for my Actiontec 1520 or 1524 in order to have wireless internet access?

The Actiontec 1520 and 1524 require a proprietary PCMCIA card in order to provide wireless internet capability, which is no longer being manufactured or provided. If you have an Actiontec 1520 or 1524 and want wireless capability, please contact Qwest to order a new modem.

What is the best placement for my wireless modem?
To receive the highest quality and strongest signal strength, place your wireless modem in an elevated central location with the fewest physical obstructions to the service area. This may also reduce possible environmental effects.

How do I configure my modem for wireless (Wi-Fi) access?
Click here for more information.

Is the Apple® Airport wireless device compatible with the modem?
Yes, the Apple Airport complies with 802.11b standards. If using the WEP security feature, refer to your Apple Airport documentation for special instructions on how to enter the WEP key for compatibility.

How do I configure my computer for wireless (Wi-Fi) access?

Most portable computers now have ‘out of the box’ wireless support. Select a link below for basic configuration instructions. For specific information on how to configure your computer, please refer to your computer’s documentation or manufacturer.

• Windows Vista
• Windows XP
• Mac OSX

What can interfere with my wireless signal?
The physical environment can have varying effects on signal strength and the quality of your wireless modem.

• The more dense the object the greater the interference (e.g., a concrete wall causes more interference than a plaster wall).
• Concrete or metal reinforced structures cause a higher degree of signal loss than wood, plaster, or glass construction.
• Devices that give off EMI (Electro-Magnetic Interference) can also adversely affect your signal strength. This includes things like garage door openers, cordless phones, and baby monitors.

How do I get additional support on wireless functionality?
Click here to contact Qwest Technical support.

Networking

What are static IP addresses and how can I get them?
A static IP address is a unique numeric address that identifies your computer on the Internet. Qwest, as your Internet Service Provider (ISP), can assign a static IP address to be a permanent address for your computer. Learn more.

How do I make my laptop work both at home and at the office?
You'll need to reconfigure your network settings (e.g., workgroup, domain, password, user name, IP address). You may also use third-party software such as NetSwitcher to switch automatically between different configurations.

What is the valid IP range I can use for my home network?
The valid IP range is 192.168.0.2 to 192.168.0.254. We recommend using the default settings, but you can change IP ranges and LAN subnets if necessary.

How do I find out what IP address my computer is using?

• Windows® 95, 98, 98SE, and ME
  1. Select Start, Run, and type winipcfg. Select Enter.
  2. When the winipcfg screen displays, confirm your network device is selected.
• Windows NT, 2000, and XP
  1. Select Start, Run and type cmd. Select Enter.
  2. When the command screen displays, type ipconfig. Select Enter.
• You can also use the Actiontec Web interface to get your IP address.
  Type 192.168.0.1 in your Web browser.
  Select Status. Then select the Active User List on the left.

How do I refresh my IP address if I used DHCP to configure my network?

Choose one of the following to refresh your IP address.

• Restart your computer.
  Windows 95, 98, 98SE and ME
  1. Go to Start, Run, and type winipcfg. Select Enter.
  2. Ensure the Ethernet adapter is selected in the device box.
  3. Select Release all.
  4. Select Renew all.
• Windows NT 4.0, Windows 2000 and XP
  1. Go to Start, Run, and type cmd. Select Enter.
  2. At the DOS prompt type ipconfig/release. Select Enter.
  3. Type ipconfig/renew. Select Enter.

Can I run an application located on another computer over the network?
Yes, if the application is designed to run over a network.

Can I play games between computers on my network or on the Internet?
Yes, if the games were designed for multi-player or network play. Check the game documentation.

How can I make the FTP or Web server on my network available to Internet users?

• Web server – configure port forwarding (PDF) for port 80 to the IP address of your Web server. We recommend you configure your server to use a single static IP address (PDF).
• FTP server – configure port forwarding (PDF) for port 21 to the IP address of your FTP server. We recommend you configure your server to use a single static IP address (PDF).