Linksys router connection

[styx2stones]

I am looking for the final word on hooking up my linksys router.I have tried several times but get spotty connection or none at all I have Westell 6100 modem for my DSL connection thru Verizon.I bought a Linksys cable/dsl router #BEFSR41 so that we could hook up another computer and x-box 360's at the same time.I have followed installation instructions ,but generally end up knocking out any internet connection I have thru the modem .I have read some threads on bridging-is that what I need to do?Help!!!!

[johnwill]

Your Westell 6100 is a modem/router and uses the same subnet as your new Linksys, which is probably the root of the issue.

The ideal way to solve this is indeed to bridge the Westel 6100 and eliminate it's NAT layer, since you have an XBOX. You could also connect the Linksys router as a switch/WAP and eliminate it's NAT layer if the 6100 works OK with the XBOX.

Here's the recipe for connecting the secondary router as a WAP.


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