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Important Note: If you're experiencing connectivity or speed problems with your Netgear router (wired or wireless) you may need to update your firmware. Please go to the Netgear Support Site for the latest firmware.

This FAQ is for configuring a BellSouth supplied Westell 2100/2200/6100 (Models A90-210030-04, B90-220030-04 and B90-610030-06/C90-610030-06, respectively) with popular wired and wireless Netgear DSL routers. These procedures and pictures are based on the most recent firmware for the Westell. Other Westell firmware menus and screenshots are slightly different but the bridge option and functions are still available. It is highly recommended that you click here and update your Westell firmware.

This FAQ has 3 Major sections:
Section 1 - Overview
Section 2 - Westell modem configuration
Section 3 - Netgear router configuration information
Section 4 - Connections and power up

Section 1 - Overview

•The best configuration for networking a router with the Westell is to set the Westell to "Bridged Ethernet" mode and allow the router to do the routing and DHCP functions. The Westell 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 will result in double NAT'ing, increased latency, possible IP conflicts, or possibly a network that doesn't work at all.
• Both the Westell and Netgear router must be reset to default. Despite what the help desk tech tells you, resetting the Westell does not put it into Bridged Mode.
• The BellSouth Installation CD and Connection Manager are not required to use this configuration.
• The Netgear Installation Wizard CD should not be used in 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 Westell 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 Westell is connected). Additionally, they may be on completely different subnets. After you have made the changes to the Westell you can then connect the router and configure it for use with FastAccess. There are several alternatives around this problem. 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 Westell's PPPoE and DHCP functions. Click here for more information.
•If you encounter any problems simply reset the Westell, connect it directly to your NIC, restart your computer, log into the Westell interface, and start over again.
•More information about the Westell is available here.

Section 2 - Westell Configuration

Step 1
Verify that NIC cards (wireless or wired) are set to "Obtain IP Address Automatically". Completely power down the Westell and the computer(s). Power up the modem and press the reset button on the back of the modem. After the modem has fully initialized connect the Westell to the NIC and then power up the computer.

Step 2
Open a browser session to access the Westell Interface and enter "192.168.1.254" or "launch modem" in the address field. If you are unable to access the interface make sure your NIC is set to "Obtain an IP address automatically". This may require you to reboot the computer (or release/renew) to obtain a proper IP.



Step 3
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 Westell.

Section 3 - Netgear Router Information

Step 4
After the PC is powered down connect one of the router LAN ports to the computer NIC and power up the router and then the computer.

Step 5
Not all Netgear routers provide a common interface. The steps below are from the more common routers. Your actual screens may vary. Consult the Netgear Technical Support Page for your particular router setup. Netgear provides a setup wizard to help configure the router. Log in to the web based interface by typing 192.168.0.1 in your browser URL field. Enter "admin" and "password" in the Username and Password fields, respectively. Username and password are case sensitive. Click OK.



Step 6
Select No, I want to configure by myself and click Next. You will be taken to the Basic Setup Menu.

Step 7
On the Basic Setup menu select the proper settings as shown below and then click Apply.



Step 8
Enter your BellSouth Username followed by "@bellsouth.net". Enter your BellSouth Password. Enter 0 in the Idle Timeout field. Select Get Automatically from ISP. Click Apply. Click Test.



Section 4 - Connections and Power Up

Step 9
Power everything down and physically connect the Westell, wired or wireless router, and any computer(s).




Pictures by Andy Houtz


Step 10
Power up the network equipment in this order:
1) Westell Modem (wait for DSL synch)
2) Netgear Router
3) Computer(s)
Open a browser session and go surfing!

Important Additional Information
•The 6100 has an "Internet" light that is green whenever there is an active PPPoE session initiated by the Westell. Since you are using the Netgear to establish the PPPoE session the light will stay off. This is normal.
•You should check your tweak settings to optimize your new network. Reminder: If you are required to change your MTU, make sure that it is identical on all equipment (PCs and routers) in the network.

Andy Houtz


Feedback received on this FAQ entry:
  • Thank you for the detailed instructions and pictures!! It did help a lot. I STILL couldn't connect, though, and after much hair-pulling I had a "DUH" moment - since my "user ID" in your step 8 is my primary email address, I kept entering the email password in the PW field. Well, it finally dawned on me that I had this long AT&T screen previously come up when I failed to connect - it warned of a PW mismatch and gave me my email addy as ID, and a PW that I'd been using only for the f90 Westell modem - when I entered that PW into the router field, bingo!! Long post - sorry - bbut thought it might help someone else...... Thanks again!!

    2012-02-19 14:58:59

  • Great job..Thank You very Much

    2012-02-15 21:01:59

  • Thank You so much. You have saved my life. My god bless you with health, wealth and prosperity haha.

    2011-09-22 05:01:32

  • Excellent Post, Thank you!

    2010-12-31 14:27:44

  • My only question is how this will effect the wireless on the at&t provided router if this is to bridge to a wired router. Any thoughts on a OLD THREAD?

    2010-11-12 10:55:12

  • Thank you for the step by step instructions! Very helpful!!!

    2010-08-10 16:52:42

  • Thank you so much for this information. Although I am on Centurytel and there were a couple things different with my modem this was great instructions. I have 2 dsl accounts, 1 dynamic IP and 1 static IP, and the router would log in to the second account which was a dynamic IP so the only way I could use my static IP was to disconnect 1 computer at a time and hook directly into the modem leaving the other computers disconnected from the Internet. I have been fighting this for over a year now.

    2010-04-16 08:41:24

  • Excellent step by step!

    2010-03-23 20:33:38

  • You are th man bro! Thank you so much for this info I was getting ready to shoot myself until I came accross your instructions. Thank you.

    2009-10-08 09:37:47

  • Thank you for this information. Finally I got information I needed.

    2009-09-08 15:48:16

  • Just wanted to say thanks! After hours of tinkering, I finally got this thing going with your help.

    2009-08-14 12:17:35

  • yes! this seems to work!! I just spent almost 9 hours sifting through a million solutions that seem to have worked for everyone else but me. a huge thanks!

    2008-11-08 00:32:30

  • ALL (Bellsouth provided) Westell Ethernet/USB routers can be bridged by resetting them with the reset button located on the back. A good indicator on the 6100 is that when the internet light is off- it is bridged. However- older firmwares of the Westell ethernet/USB modem (especially 2100 and 2200) WILL NOT match this article.

    2008-03-25 22:14:26



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by Andy Houtz See Profile edited by FAQFixer See Profile
last modified: 2008-03-25 23:05:10