Replacing a router. What to check?

Changing your router will require some additional work. In some cases only validating but in others cases more changes will need to be made to adapt to the new router.

Please note this article is only intended to cover the most common scenarios. Several assumptions are made to simplify the article.  

Professional installers have a different set of needs. We can provide additional best practices that go into more depth about the unique scenarios installers encounter. Contact support for more detail.

1. Network Settings. The first step is to determine if the new router has changed the basic layout of your local network.
   • The Routers internal IP Address. Most routers use an internal address that ends in a 1 (For example, 192.168.10.1 or 10.0.0.1) however some routers use an address that ends in 254. This address is referred to as a “Default Gateway”. You need to determine the address used by the new router.
     
   • Private networks are defined as an address that starts with a sequence that is the same for all device (For example, “192.168.10.” or “10.0.0.” But the important distinctions between the old router and new router is whether this “Network” has changed. If it has changed, then it will be important to update any device setup with a static IP address and any port forwarding entries.
     
2. Automation Equipment. The details are different for each type of equipment but all of the items below will apply in some way. 
   • Equipment should always be set to use a static IP Address.  If your “Network” has changed then the static address must be updated appropriately.
     
   • The default gateway field must be set to the correct internal IP Address of your new router.
     
3. Router Configuration.
   • The necessary port forwarding entries will not exist in the new router. All of the entries necessary from the old router will need to be re-created in the new router.
     
4. External Router Address. This address is assigned to the router by the company providing the internet service. It will change over time. For reliable remote access this situation should to be addressed. There are two common methods. Only one is needed.
   • Purchase a static IP Address. This can usually be provided by the internet provider. The cost for this option, if available, will vary depending on the provider and may require specialized hardware and/or services to be purchased.
     
   • Use a Dynamic DNS account. There are several options available but http://www.dyndns.org/ has the best reputation.
     
     Please note some equipment provides a similar but different technology called a “Web Redirect”. eKeypad does not support Web Redirects. It only supports Dynamic DNS hostnames.