Wireless Laptop Hookup Using Embarq DSL ?

LeeB1 · 12-01-2008, 06:05 PM

I have Embarq DSL w/660 Series hard-wired modem for my Gateway PC. I purchased a Dell Inspiron laptop. I want to hook up my laptop wirelessly using my DSL. The laptop has an Integrated 10/100 network card & a Dell 1505 Wireless-N Minicard, also USB ports if necessary. I'm told I need a wireless router. I'm new to wireless, so what do I need to buy?

Thanks in advance. LeeB1

I posted this same question on 'Laptop Support' before I saw this forum.

**johnwill** · 12-02-2008, 08:51 AM

I'd pick up a generic wireless router. Then I'd configure it as follows to avoid the problems using dual NAT translations.

Connecting two (or more) SOHO broadband routers together.

Note: The "primary" router can be an actual router, a software gateway like Microsoft Internet Connection Sharing, or a server connection that has the capability to supply more than one IP address using DHCP server capability. No changes are made to the primary "router" configuration.

Configure the IP address of the secondary router(s) to be in the same subnet as the primary router, but out of the range of the DHCP server in the primary router. For instance DHCP server addresses 192.168.0.2 through 192.168.0.100, I'd assign the secondary router 192.168.0.254 as it's IP address, 192.168.0.253 for another router, etc.

Note: Do this first, as you will have to reboot the computer to connect to the router again for the remaining changes.

Disable the DHCP server in the secondary router.

Setup the wireless section just the way you would if it was the primary router, channels, encryption, etc.

Connect from the primary router's LAN port to one of the LAN ports on the secondary router. If there is no uplink port and neither of the routers have auto-sensing ports, use a cross-over cable. Leave the WAN port unconnected!

This procedure bypasses the routing function (NAT layer) and configures the router as a switch (or wireless access point for wireless routers).

For reference, here's a link to a Typical example config using a Netgear router

LeeB1 · 12-02-2008, 04:06 PM

Thanks, Johnwill. I think I confused the issue, though. My PC is the brand name 'Gateway', rather than a gateway as such. The situation is this: I have an Embarq DSL modem hard-wired to my PC. In addition to continuing to use the PC as hard-wired, I would also like to set up a wireless internet hookup for my laptop.

Do I have the 'new' scenario correct?

1. Get a wireless router
2. Keep the incoming DSL cable into the DSL modem, as now
3. The DSL cable that is now outgoing from DSL modem to my PC, is unplugged from the PC
4. Instead, plug that outgoing DSL cable into the wireless router
5. Run cable from the router back to the PC, effectively 'hard-wiring' it again
6. The laptop then finds the wireless router signal & hooks up to the internet

Thanks, LeeB1

**johnwill** · 12-04-2008, 01:56 PM

SOunds good to me.

LeeB1 · 12-04-2008, 06:32 PM

Thanks for the confirmation, Johnwill. The router should be here in about 4 days, the laptop in 7 days. Will try it then.

12-01-2008, 06:05 PM	#1 (permalink)
LeeB1 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 4 OS: Vista	Wireless Laptop Hookup Using Embarq DSL ? I have Embarq DSL w/660 Series hard-wired modem for my Gateway PC. I purchased a Dell Inspiron laptop. I want to hook up my laptop wirelessly using my DSL. The laptop has an Integrated 10/100 network card & a Dell 1505 Wireless-N Minicard, also USB ports if necessary. I'm told I need a wireless router. I'm new to wireless, so what do I need to buy? Thanks in advance. LeeB1 I posted this same question on 'Laptop Support' before I saw this forum.

12-02-2008, 08:51 AM	#2 (permalink)
johnwill Manager, Networking Forums Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: S.E. Pennsylvania, US Posts: 41,940 OS: Windows 7, XP-Pro, Vista, Linux Blog Entries: 1	Re: Wireless Laptop Hookup Using Embarq DSL ? I'd pick up a generic wireless router. Then I'd configure it as follows to avoid the problems using dual NAT translations. Connecting two (or more) SOHO broadband routers together. Note: The "primary" router can be an actual router, a software gateway like Microsoft Internet Connection Sharing, or a server connection that has the capability to supply more than one IP address using DHCP server capability. No changes are made to the primary "router" configuration. Configure the IP address of the secondary router(s) to be in the same subnet as the primary router, but out of the range of the DHCP server in the primary router. For instance DHCP server addresses 192.168.0.2 through 192.168.0.100, I'd assign the secondary router 192.168.0.254 as it's IP address, 192.168.0.253 for another router, etc. Note: Do this first, as you will have to reboot the computer to connect to the router again for the remaining changes. Disable the DHCP server in the secondary router. Setup the wireless section just the way you would if it was the primary router, channels, encryption, etc. Connect from the primary router's LAN port to one of the LAN ports on the secondary router. If there is no uplink port and neither of the routers have auto-sensing ports, use a cross-over cable. Leave the WAN port unconnected! This procedure bypasses the routing function (NAT layer) and configures the router as a switch (or wireless access point for wireless routers). For reference, here's a link to a Typical example config using a Netgear router __________________ If TSF has helped you, Tell us about it! or Donate to help keep the site up! Microsoft MVP - Windows Desktop Experience

12-02-2008, 04:06 PM	#3 (permalink)
LeeB1 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 4 OS: Vista	Re: Wireless Laptop Hookup Using Embarq DSL ? Thanks, Johnwill. I think I confused the issue, though. My PC is the brand name 'Gateway', rather than a gateway as such. The situation is this: I have an Embarq DSL modem hard-wired to my PC. In addition to continuing to use the PC as hard-wired, I would also like to set up a wireless internet hookup for my laptop. Do I have the 'new' scenario correct? 1. Get a wireless router 2. Keep the incoming DSL cable into the DSL modem, as now 3. The DSL cable that is now outgoing from DSL modem to my PC, is unplugged from the PC 4. Instead, plug that outgoing DSL cable into the wireless router 5. Run cable from the router back to the PC, effectively 'hard-wiring' it again 6. The laptop then finds the wireless router signal & hooks up to the internet Thanks, LeeB1

12-04-2008, 01:56 PM	#4 (permalink)
johnwill Manager, Networking Forums Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: S.E. Pennsylvania, US Posts: 41,940 OS: Windows 7, XP-Pro, Vista, Linux Blog Entries: 1	Re: Wireless Laptop Hookup Using Embarq DSL ? SOunds good to me. __________________ If TSF has helped you, Tell us about it! or Donate to help keep the site up! Microsoft MVP - Windows Desktop Experience

12-04-2008, 06:32 PM	#5 (permalink)
LeeB1 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 4 OS: Vista	Re: Wireless Laptop Hookup Using Embarq DSL ? Thanks for the confirmation, Johnwill. The router should be here in about 4 days, the laptop in 7 days. Will try it then.