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Instructions for setting up a BellSouth supplied Motorola/Netopia 2210-02-1006 with a popular Linksys Wireless (BEFW11S4) router. Other Linksys routers are very similar and can use the basic setup of this FAQ. This initial setup is all that is needed to configure and connect your Linksys-based network for FastAccess DSL. Any additional setup for features like WEP, DHCP IP ranges, port triggering, etc is out of the scope of this FAQ. Important Note: Due to some operational issues it is VERY important that you have the latest firmware on your Linksys router. Please go to the Linksys Download Website and ensure you have the newest firmware.

This FAQ has 4 Major sections:
Section 1 - Overview
Section 2 - Motorola/Netopia 2210 modem configuration
Section 3 - General Linksys router configuration information
Section 4 - Connections and power up


Section 1 - Overview
•The best configuration for networking a Linksys router (or any other external router) with a 2210 is to set it to "Bridged Ethernet" mode and allow the Linksys to do the routing and DHCP functions. The 2210 is also a router with full DHCP functions and may not function correctly when connected directly to another router. Not changing the modem to Bridged Ethernet may result in double NAT'ing, increased latency, possible IP conflicts or possibly a network that doesn't work at all.
Make sure you secure your wireless network. Click here for the Linksys Wireless Security Guide.
•Both the modem and router must be reset to default by pressing the reset button for approximately 30 seconds. Despite what any help desk tech tells you, resetting the modem does not put it into Bridged Mode.
•The BellSouth Installation CD are not required (or recommended) to use this configuration.
•The Linksys Installation Wizard CD is not required (nor recommended) for this configuration.
•Since BellSouth assigns static IPs via your username the configurations shown are applicable to both dynamic and single static IP customers.
•You must connect the 2210 directly to the computer's NIC to make the necessary changes before you connect the router, because you will probably be unable to access the modem interface after you connect the router. The reason is that the modem interface is 192.168.1.254 which is a local IP. By default, most routers do not have the capability to route a local IP out of their WAN port (where your 2210 is connected). Additionally, they may be on completely different subnets. After you have made the changes to the 2210 you can then connect the router and configure it for use with FastAccess. There are several alternative ways around this problem but they both have major liabilities. One method involves extra equipment (second NIC and a hub) and major configuration changes. The second method requires you to utilize the router as a simple switch and use the 2210's PPPoE and DHCP functions. Click here for more information and detailed instructions.
•If you encounter any problems, simply reset the 2210, connect it directly to your NIC, restart your computer, log into the interface and start over again.

Section 2 - Motorola/Netopia 2210 Configuration
Step 1
Verify that your NIC card is set to "Obtain IP Address Automatically". Completely power down the 2210 and the computer(s). Power up the modem and press the default reset button on the back of the modem for 10 seconds. After the modem has fully reinitialized, connect the 2210 to the NIC and then power up the computer.

Step 2
Open a browser application and enter "192.168.1.254" in the address field.

Step 3
Enter your BellSouth Username followed by "@bellsouth.net" in the User ID field. Enter your BellSouth Password in the Password field. Re-enter your BellSouth Password in the Confirm Password field. Click on Next. Update the Auto Calender Update Configuration as desired and click Next. The modem will try to initiate a session and then return to the main menu.

Step 4
Click on Broadband DSL Line from the top menu. Click on Configure Connection from the right menu. Select "Bridged Ethernet" from the Protocol pull down. Click on Save and restart the connection at the bottom. This will automatically restart the modem and the interface will return after the changes are saved. Note: functions like NAT, DHCP, IP Passthrough, and username and password will be disabled or irrelevant and can not be selected. After the modem has restarted, power down both the computer and the modem then physically disconnect the 2210.

Section 3 - Linksys Router Information
Step 5
When the computer is completely powered down, connect one of the router's LAN ports to the computer NIC using a straight CAT5 cable. Power up the router and then the computer. Reset the router to default by pressing the reset button for roughly 25 seconds. (actual placement of reset button may vary).

Step 6
Important Note: The following screen shots are based on a Linksys BEFSR41v.2 router, and your screen shots may be slightly different. However, the process and configurations are the same. The settings shown are the basic connectivity requirements for Internet access. Open a browser session and enter 192.168.1.1 in the address field to access the Linksys Interface. At the Username and Password prompt, enter admin in the Password field.



Step 7
On the Linksys Setup page, select PPPoE from the WAN Connection Type pull down. Enter your BellSouth Username followed by "@bellsouth.net". Enter your BellSouth Password. Select Keep Alive and enter the recommended 180 seconds in the Redial Period field. Do not enter anything in the Host Name or Domain Name fields. Important Operational Note: If your model has the ability to manually enable MTU size you should select Enable or Manual and enter 1492 (or less) in the Size field. The MTU fields are not shown on the screenshot below and may be on a different menu tab. Click on Apply to save the changes. You should get a "Settings are successful" message. Click on Continue (if required).

Section 4 - Connections and Power Up


Step 8
Power everything down and physically connect the 2210, the router, the wireless NICs and any computer(s). You can utilize both with wireless and wired connections with this setup, if desired.

Click for full size
Pictures by Andy Houtz


Step 9
Power up the network equipment in this order:
•2210 Modem (wait until Ready light goes steady green)
•Linksys Router•Computer(s)
•Open a browser session and enter "192.168.1.1" in the address field to access the Linksys Interface. Click on the Status tab from the menu, then click on the Connect button to connect to the Internet.
•Go surfing!



Important Additional Information
•The Linksys "Auto" MTU capability does not function correctly on some models/firmware. You must manually enable the MTU and adjust the size to 1492 (or less). If you are experiencing slow/erratic speeds, constant disconnects, or receive a "Can not obtain IP address from the server" or "PPPoE negotiation fail" errors click here.
•The 2210 has an "Internet" light that is green whenever there is an active PPPoE session initiated by the 2210. Since you are using the Linksys to establish the PPPoE session, the light will stay off. This is normal.
Do not change the Linksys Operating Mode from Gateway Mode (default setting) to Router Mode, or it will not function correctly.
•You should recheck your tweak settings in order to optimize your new network. Reminder: If you change your MTU, make sure that it is set identically on all equipment (PCs and routers) in the network.

Andy Houtz


Feedback received on this FAQ entry:
  • Thanks for the info. I used this method approx. 1 month ago and yesterday I lost my connection. After several hours of troubleshooting, Bellsouth told me ther must have been an update which caused the Motorola modem to refuse the bridging method. I then spoke with my IT department at work and they gave me a simple way to bridge the router instead of the modem. After resetting both the modem and the router, I configured my bellsouth information and left the configure connection information alone. I then followed your steps #6 and #7 which are still legit to configure the router. I powered everything down, modem, router and computer. Then I ran an ethernet cable from the modem to one port in the router. I then hooked the ethernet cable from my desktop into another port on the router. Then I hooked my xbox 360 into another port. I then powered up the modem first until all the lights were solid green (except the Internet light). Then I powered up the router, then the pc. Low and behold it worked! I then tested my sons psp for the wireless access and 100% signal. I'm leaving this feedback in hopes that you would add this information for anyone else who may be struggling through this. Thanks for all the information that you have provided. Excellent stuff!

    2009-02-05 17:19:38



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by FAQFixer See Profile
last modified: 2009-10-11 16:02:13