ardenj
| How to use my Linksys wireless router with my 327w
I recently got the Westell Versalink 327w from Verizon. Before I had the 327w, I used my Linksys BEFW11S4 wireless router for my network. The 327w is working fine except one thing, it's wireless range. With my Linksys wireless router, my computer in another room, and my laptop in the living room could connect fine. Now with the 327w they can't receive the signal.
I want to just set my 327w as a bridge and go back to using the Linksys router. Could someone tell me how to do this? |
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Ryno
The Wanderer
Premium
join:2001-04-07
Danielsville, PA | Re: How to use my Linksys wireless router with my
I am also wondering about something like this. Just ordered Verizon. Have been using the linksys with cable.
If we use the uplink, run ethernet to another room and set it as a router instead of gateway with wireless enabled, Would this work? |
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Birds
join:2004-10-23
| reply to ardenj
This is easy to do, but there are two ways to do it.
1) Having one firewall, the Versalink router.
2) Having two firewalls, both the Versalink and the Linksys router.
Since you want to use the Linksys as the wireless access point, it is most secure (and creates fewer problems) to turn off the wirless networking in the Versalink by going to Configuration --> Wireless --> Wireless Operation, and selecting "Disable". Be sure to click "Save" at the bottom of the page.
METHOD 1:
With this method you are using the Versalink as a DSL modem and firewall, and the Linksys as a wireless AP. The Linksys router does not do any DSL account authenticating. All your DSL authentication is handled by the Versalink.
On the Versalink you want to enable "Private LAN" in Configuration --> Advanced LAN --> Private LAN. Using static IP addresses makes things a bit easier.
Assign your Versalink router an IP address that is in the same class as your Linksys router. Meaning if assigned your Linksys router has an IP address of 192.168.50.1, then you give the Versalink router the IP address of 192.168.5.2. Use the subnet mask of 255.255.255.0
Now both the Versalink and Linksys routers are on the same network and can see and communicate with each other.
Plug the Linksys router into the Versalink router with an ethernet cable by using one of the four ethernet ports on both routers. You do not want to use the Linksys router's WAN port!
Since you are not using the WAN port on the Linksys router, the router will not use any of the information contained in the the "Internet Setup" section at the top of the "Basic Configuration" page (meaning PPOE information, etc.).
On your PC's set your wireless network cards to the SSID and passphrase of the Linksys router.
If you are using static IP addresses on your PC's then, make sure the Gateway address listed in the network card's IP address config. page is the local address for the Versalink router.
METHOD 2:
Again the Versalink router is handling all the DSL account authentication.
With this setup you are going to use the Linksys' WAN port. This is what gives you two firewalls in-line with each other. So here you will need to set a static IP address in the Linksys router's "Internet Settings" section on the "Basic Configuration" page - discussed below.
For this configuration you are putting each router on it's own local network, so you will have each router use a different number in the third octet of it's local IP address (not the Internet IP address assigned to the WAN port). So...
For your local LAN setup (not the internet WAN port), make sure you are using static IP addresses on the Versalink router and not DHCP. This makes it easier to administer both routers.
Turn off the local DHCP on the Versalnik by going to Configuration --> Advanced LAN --> Private LAN, and uncheck DHCP.
Say the local IP address of your Linksys router is 192.168.50.1. Give your Versalink a local address with a different third octet: 192.168.10.1. You assign the local address on the Versalink under Configuration --> Advanced LAN --> Private LAN settings.
Now the routers are on different local networks.
At this point you have to provide a way for the Linksys and Versalink routers to communicate. You do this by putting the Linksys' WAN port (which is different than the four ethernet ports on the Linksys) on the same network as the Versalink router. This is done with the "Internet Settings" section at the top of the main "Basic Configuration" page. This is the top section on the main basic configuration page. The section above the section entitled "Network Setup" on that main page.
"Internet Settings" controls the WAN port.
"Network Setup" controls the ethernet ports and is the local setup for the in house portion of router: DHCP to your PCs, etc.
Go to the Linksys router's main configuration page.
Under "Internet Settings" or "Internet Connection Type" select "Static IP".
A series of boxes should now appear allowing you to type in an IP address, subnet mask, gateway, and static DNS addresses.
The IP address here will use the same first three octets used in your Vesalink router. In our example that was 192.168.10.XXX, because Versalink's IP address is 192.168.10.1.
So in the Linksys router you type 192.168.10.2. This assigns the Linksys' WAN port the IP address of 192.168.10.2 and puts the WAN port on the same network as the Versalink router.
Set the Subnet mask to 255.255.255.0
For our example the Linksys' gateway address would be set to 192.168.2.1 (the Versalink router), because your DSL connection is through the Versalink.
Leave the DNS settings empty.
Now the routers can talk to each other, and by using the Linksys WAN port, all the information passed to the Linksys will pass through the Linksys' firewall.
Now plug an ethernet cable into the Linksys' WAN port, and plug the other end into one of the Versalink's four ethernet ports.
If you use static IP addresses on your PC's, make sure you set the Gateway address to the same address you used for the static IP address for the Linksys WAN port. In our example that was 192.168.20.2.
You should now have a double firewalled setup and have the Linksys router handling all wireless traffic.
I hope this helps and makes sense,
Birds |
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weslink
@verizon.ne | reply to ardenj
I want to use my linskys router to handle all authentication and firewall services, and use the Westell Versalink 327W for just the dsl modem. Is this possible? |
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Birds
join:2004-10-23
| reply to ardenj
Re: How to use my Linksys wireless router with my 327w
Yes you can have it setup that way...
Just set it up as described in "Method 2" above, and then go in and disable the firewall on the 327W.
If the Linksys firewall is working correctly then a port scan test by should show that your connection is stealthed with the exception that an ICMP (Ping) was recieved. |
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Birds
join:2004-10-23
| Sorry, missed that part that you wanted to have the Linksys do the authentication.
You might try setting the Versalink to VC mode to "Bridged" or "VLAN Bridged" instead of "Routed Bridged".
This is done through Configuration --> Advanced WAN --> WAN.
Choose the proper VC and then set the protocol under VC Configuration to "Bridged" and the protocol under "Bridged Settings" to "Bridged" or "VLAN Bridged" and not "Routed Bridged".
If that doesn't work you could try some of the other settings for the VC. |
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Ryno
The Wanderer
Premium
join:2001-04-07
Danielsville, PA | reply to ardenj
Re: How to use my Linksys wireless router with my
Thanks Birds, your information is most helpful |
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ardenj
| reply to Birds
Birds, thanks for the help so far. I decided to go with method 1. Private Lan and DHCP are enabled on my Versalink, and I set the IP address to 192.168.1.9 and the subnet mask was left at 255.255.255.0. I also turned off wireless operation on the Versalink. I connected the Versalink and the Linksys through the first ethernet ports on both routers (I did not use the WAN port).
I have the PC's with the wireless cards setup with the Linksys' SSID and passphrase. My PC connected directly to the versalink (2nd ethernet port) works fine, and my other PC's see and connect to the Linksys AP with full signal strength. However, when I try to open Internet Explorer (on the PC's connected wirelessly), I can't open any websites. I get the Page not displayed error. When I go into the command prompt and type Ipconfig /release, it releases the IP, but when I try to renew, it states it can not find the DHCP server and operation timed out. Do you know what I'm doing wrong? I appreciate your help. Thanks |
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Birds
join:2004-10-23
| Ardenj,
So...
PCs are connecting to the Linksys by wireless, and then are supposed to get DHCP addresses from the Versalink?
If so then it sounds like a routing issue. I would try a static IP address on one PC (using the Linksys router's local address as the gateway address), and see if that clears up the problem.
Also, double check that all the IP addresses (both routers, and the DHCP pool) are using the same first three octets in their IP addresses. According to what you shared about the Versalink that should be 192.168.1.XXX.
Versalink: 192.168.1.9
Linksys: 192.168.1.XXX
DHCP pool: 192.168.1.XXX
PC static IP: 192.168.1.XXX
Try surfing the web.
If you can't surf, then ping out from the PC: ping PC, Ping Linksys, Ping Versalink. You should be able to ping all three if everything is working correctly.
If you can ping everything but can't surf the web, then see if you can access the configuration screens of the routers. If you can do this then your local network is working. |
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Birds
join:2004-10-23
| reply to ardenj
To avoid any confusion, you want to enable the static IP on one of the wireless machines.
You could try enabling DHCP on the Linksys router, if you have not done that, using a different address pool than what is being used for the Versalink (but still keeping those first three octets the same). |
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pwcaldwell
@dole.net
| reply to ardenj
Re: How to use my Linksys wireless router with my 327w
ardenj, have you been able to get this working? I'm trying to do the same thing and ran into the same issue. I left the DHCP enabled on both boxes though. Since it makes no difference to me right now I could turn one off.
I'm new to dsl and wireless so may end up just going back to cable and just work on getting the linksys to work with it.
many thanks
pwc |
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Birds
join:2004-10-23
| reply to ardenj
Re: How to use my Linksys wireless router with my
I made a mistake and told you all to use the incorrect gateway address on the PC with the static IP. I said to use the Linksys' local address, but it should be the Versalink's address.
I have my system running as Method 1 now and it works. Verizon does not use PPPoE where I live.
Here is the configuration for the local side of the network.
Versalink:
Wireless = off
DHCP = off
Local IP Address = 192.168.50.1
Subnet Mask = 255.255.255.0
Ethernet cable from port 1 to port 1 on Linksys
Linksys:
Wireless = on
DHCP = off
Local IP Address = 192.168.50.2
Subnet Mask = 255.255.255.0
Wireless PC:
Static IP Address = 192.168.60.1
Subnet Mask = 255.255.255.0
Gateway = 192.168.50.1
DNS = 192.168.50.1 |
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Ryno
The Wanderer
Premium
join:2001-04-07
Danielsville, PA
 ·Verizon Online DSL
 ·RCN CABLE
| reply to ardenj
ok, my ready date is not till the 13th, though I got my westell yesterday.
I was planning on trying something like this, Wouldn't this be ok?
Versalink:
Wireless = off
DHCP = off
Local IP Address = 192.168.1.1
Subnet Mask = 255.255.255.0
Ethernet cable from port 1 to port 1 on Linksys
Linksys:
Wireless = on
DHCP = on
Local IP Address = 192.168.1.2
Subnet Mask = 255.255.255.0
Gateway = 192.168.1.1
Wireless PC:
Static IP Address = obtain ip automatically
Subnet Mask = 255.255.255.0
Gateway = 192.168.1.2
DNS = 192.168.1.2
Is there something wrong with having the linksys assign the ip's? |
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Birds
join:2004-10-23
| Using DHCP on the Linksys is what is causing the problem right now because the DHCP server assigns the PCs the Linksys' IP Address as the gateway address. That is an incorrect gateway address for the PCs.
In order to access the internet, the wireless PCs need the gateway address to be the IP Address of the Versalink router.
The ability to enter the gateway address is one reason I use static IP Addresses.
Maybe a static route could be coded into the Linksys' "Advanced Routing" page that would allow the setup to work with DHCP assigned addresses. I have tried many combinations, but have not been able to get a static route working. Working with static IPs for the PCs does work and was quick. |
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Ryno
The Wanderer
Premium
join:2001-04-07
Danielsville, PA | reply to ardenj
ok, thx
Now all I have to do is wait one more week (Hopefully less) and try you setup. |
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ardenj
| reply to Birds
Yeah, the problem was that the Linksys would assign the wrong gateway address. When I went into a command prompt in the notebook and typed ipconfig /all. It showed that the gateway was 192.168.1.1 (the Linksys).
I went into the the Linksys router config and went to "static routing" under the advanced tab. I then entered the IP address of the laptop at the time (192.168.1.2), same subnet mask (255.255.255.0) and the Versalink's IP as the Default gateway (192.168.1.9). I set the "Hop count" (not sure what it is) to 15 (the default was 0), and left the interface on LAN. I then he released and renewed the IP. The gateway now was 192.168.1.9, and I can connect to the internet.
I have DHCP enabled on the Versalink and on the Linksys, but on the Linksys, DHCP users and lease time is set to 0. Also, now the notebook's IP is 192.168.1.46 (it was 192.168.1.2 before), but that's probaly because the DHCP assigned that address. I still have the wireless notebook set to "Obtain and IP address automatically."
Birds, thanks a lot for your help.
pwcaldwell, in case your still having problems, and wondering how my network is setup, here it is:
Versalink =
Wireless:off
DHCP (Private Lan0: Enabled
Private Lan Modem IP address: 192.168.1.9
Private Lan Subnet Mask: 255.255.255.0
Public Lan is not enabled
Private Lan DHCP start address: 192.168.1.15
Private Lan DHCP End address: 192.168.1.47
DHCP Lease time: 1 Day
Ethernet cable from port 1 to port 1 on Linksys
Linksys =
Wireless: on
Local IP Address: 192.168.1.1
Subnet Mask: 255.255.255.0
DHCP: Enabled
DHCP Starting IP address: 192.168.1.1
Number of DHCP Users: 0
DHCP Client Lease time: 0
Wireless PC =
IP Address: Obtain an IP address automatically
DNS: obtain DNS server address automatically |
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Need Help
@verizon.ne | reply to ardenj
Re: How to use my Linksys wireless router with my 327w
I have a Westell 327W and a Linksys router WRT54G. Will This work with it?
Thank You |
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Birds
join:2004-10-23 | Re: How to use my Linksys wireless router with my
Yes. |
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birdlover101
@verizon.ne | Thank You |
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pobbard
join:2005-01-31
Brooklyn, NY
| reply to ardenj
Thanks ardenj. This is very, very helpful. I just followed your instructions and turned my Westell 327W into a plain-ol' modem, and restored my Linksys BEFW1154 to it's rightful place. I also shutoff the firewall on the Westell, which (I think) causes the recurrent reboot problems.
Question: Can anyone recommend any good online firewall testers? I want to see how secure the BEFW1154 is now. I found this site, »scan.sygatetech.com, but I am wondering if anyone could recommend others.
Thanks! |
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