Re: Setting up a new wireless router

[maddog216]

Johnwill,

I, in my utter despair, came across this post... Almost exactly the topic I needed help on. The difference between my situation and the previous poster's is that I am using a DSL modem, not cable. I am posting info here for your assistance if possible:

Westell modem: model 6100 (C90-610030-06)
Linksys router: model WRT54G

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Windows IP Configuration

Host Name . . . . . . . . . . . . : Hermes
Primary Dns Suffix . . . . . . . :
Node Type . . . . . . . . . . . . : Unknown
IP Routing Enabled. . . . . . . . : No
WINS Proxy Enabled. . . . . . . . : No
DNS Suffix Search List. . . . . . : launchmodem.com

Ethernet adapter Local Area Connection:

Connection-specific DNS Suffix . : launchmodem.com
Description . . . . . . . . . . . : NVIDIA nForce MCP Networking Controller
Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 00-40-CA-8A-AC-12
Dhcp Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : Yes
Autoconfiguration Enabled . . . . : Yes
IP Address. . . . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.1.100
Subnet Mask . . . . . . . . . . . : 255.255.255.0
Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.1.1
DHCP Server . . . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.1.1
DNS Servers . . . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.1.254
Lease Obtained. . . . . . . . . . : Saturday, February 23, 2008 9:56:33
PM
Lease Expires . . . . . . . . . . : Sunday, February 24, 2008 9:56:33 PM

*******************

I've searched high and low, near and far for a solution, but to no avail. From what I've read, I suspect that this may be an IP address conflict, but I cannot seem to find a way to change the address of either my modem or router.

The modem works fine by itself, but when I try to incorporate the router into the loop, it cannot find the internet signal from the modem. I've tried uninstalling and re-initiating the linksys setup program (and Linsys EasyLink Advisor) and ultimately the program tells me that it "cannot connect to internet" or that the setup program is only good for specific linksys products and my "router is not supported".

I've tried all the other fixes that I could find: refreshing modem and/or router settings (ad nauseum), power cycling, smacking my head with a rock, etc. I will continue searching tonight... and tomorrow... in the off chance that I'll run across something while awaiting a response.

All advice is [i]very[i] appreciated.

Regards,
maddog

[johnwill]

Even though it appears you're having the same problem, please start a new thread when you have a new issue. It's very difficult to keep two problems straight and who's working on what in a single thread.

I've created a new thread for your issue here.

Note: You will need to post complete details of your configuration and your specific issue in this new thread for us to help you.

Thanks for your cooperation.

[johnwill]

Your problem is not the same as the previous poster's issue. Your Westell 6100 and the
Linksys WRT54G use the same base address of 192.168.1.1. This being the case, the second router can't get a connection through the Westell.

You can solve the problem a couple of ways.

Configure the Westell 6100 in bridge mode, which eliminates the NAT layer and makes it a simple modem.

Configure the secondary modem as follows, which makes it into a wireless switch.

Connecting two (or more) SOHO broadband routers together.

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).