Thank you for being a valued part of the CNET community. As of December 1, 2020, the forums are in read-only format. In early 2021, CNET Forums will no longer be available. We are grateful for the participation and advice you have provided to one another over the years.

Thanks,

CNET Support

Question

Upgrade Wireless Router Without Changing Every Device

Feb 22, 2016 7:23AM PST

I have had the same Motorola Surfboard integrated cable modem + wifi router for about 15 years and it's worked great with no issues, through about 4 homes. The wifi devices have accumulated: laptops, iPhones, iPads, TiVo, home thermostat system, remote Ethernet replication device, babysitter's iPhones and laptops for homework. Heck, is my home security system attached to it? No, but you get the point. I don't even know all the devices that will need to be updated.

So when Comcast forced me to update my cable modem to a DOCSIS 3.0. I was resistant. I did buy a Motorola (ARRIS) brand Surfboard knowing that it's just a label, but maybe some familiarity will translate. Maybe it would even support the same SSID and Encyption as my old one.

So my old one used basic "WEP", 64-bit, and we haven't been hacked through our wireless yet. It seems good enough for me. That's how everything has been connected for years.

Now my new device seems to support the same SSID and passphrase, but the first device I tested (my iPhone) is NOT automatically connecting.

So my question is...
Are there any best practices to simplify the transition. At a minimum, I figure I will keep the same SSID and Passphrase (but it looks like the devices are going to know its not the same and not automatically reconnect).

Are there any other recommendations?

Thanks!
Mike

Discussion is locked

- Collapse -
Answer
That's it.
Feb 22, 2016 7:28AM PST

You described the usual but I advise you make it new so that you remove any forgotten or rogue device. Imagine if some neighbor is mooching off your network. This change will cut them off.

I've seen what you write work as well as fail.

- Collapse -
Bummer
Feb 22, 2016 8:11AM PST

Right now I'm working on resetting my Motorola we800g. What a hassle. Find the installation disk, can't connect. Ugh...

I like my neighbor's, and if they found a way to mooch my network, I'm not going to sweat it. I can go into my router and see the dhcp leases, and I've never seen anything. So I really don't worry about it.

I can see that there's going to be a day wasted on this. Sad

- Collapse -
No router I've used since forever
Feb 22, 2016 4:21PM PST

Requires an install disk. Something's not right here.