Using two routers...how do you do it?

[Cricket]

I'm trying to help out my brother-in-law with his home network. He recently got Verizon DSL and they gave him a Westell 327W DSL modem/wireless router. The DSL modem function works fine as it's hardwired to the downstairs computer and that computer can get on-line no problem. But my nephew uses a laptop with wireless capability and used to be able to get a wireless signal upstairs in his bedroom but recently hasn't be able to connect.

I heard the Westell 327W wireless function is pretty weak, so we purchased a Linksys WRT54G and a WUSB54G Wireless Adapter to keep things wireless as my brother-in-law would rather not drill holes in the house unless we have no other choice.

Now here's the problem...I have no idea how you run the two different routers together. I found some instructions on-line (found here) and tried to follow them this past weekend, but was unsuccessful...I don't have much networking experience and may not be setting up each router correctly...plus I'm lost when it comes to terms like SSID and passphrase, static IP address, gateway, DHCP and subnet mask.

I'm hoping someone here can help me understand what it is I'm trying to do.

Thanks,
Cricket

[ktkendall]

Probably what I would do, and actually what I do do, here at my house is I do not use the Westell as a router at all, just for it's dsl modem function, and I use my Linksys WRTG54G 's router, since I believe it has more security than the built in router in those Westells. Just undo all the router settings in the westell and place the cable from the westell to the Wan port on Linksys, and go into and set up everything on the wan settings page of the LINKSYS.

[Cricket]

Thanks for the info ktkendall. I think I understand what you're saying but until I'm in front of the computer and have the Westell setup screen in front of me I won't really know what settings to touch. But it sounds like what you're doing is turning the Westell 327w into just a DSL modem and using the Linksys as a normal router. Wishful thinking, but the Westell doesn't have a simple "use as DSL modem only" option in one of the screens, does it?

When you say "undo all the router settings in the Westell", just what settings are those and which ones do I leave alone? I'm a true networking newbie.

Thanks,
Cricket

[ktkendall]

I would really need to pull up my westell screen also but I think all you really have to do is get to the page with the user name and password and blank those out, of course you could leave westell alone and go from Westell to LAN port on linksys via crossover cable, and use Linksys and just an ethernet switch and wireless access point, but as I said I think the router functions of Linksys are better than westell.

[glc]

Or you could go exchange the Linksys router for a simple wireless access point such as the WAP54G - and turn off the wireless section in the Westell.

[Byte 2.0]

I have not worked with that model of the westel, but I wonder if it can be put into a bridge mode like other models of westel.

Westells I used to work with, if reset, they would turn into just a simple DSL modem and the Linksys could be set to to a PPPoE connection.

Another option, might be to connect the linksys to the westell, with the westell already connected, then put the linksys in automatic configuration DHCP.

Then the westell would make the connection to the internet. and provide one IP to the Linksys. connect all the computers to the Linksys.

If that part works, you might have to connect a computer direct to the westell and configure it to a DMZ mode to the IP the linksys is getting and then set up your security in the linksys. Only reason I suggest this, if you are running behind 2 routers, both routing you could run into some issues with programs not working correctly. Instant messaging and online games for examples.


If that model can be reset and then let the Linksys do the PPPOE that would be the best.

[Cricket]

Thanks for all the information and suggestions everyone...I think I'm beginning to get a clearer picture of what I'm up against. Like I mentioned earlier, I'm a real newbie to networking and this is a major learning experience for me.

Originally Posted by glc Or you could go exchange the Linksys router for a simple wireless access point such as the WAP54G - and turn off the wireless section in the Westell.

Thanks for bringing this up George...didn't even know these existed. So this isn't a router, right? Will do more research about "access points" as this looks promising, especially if I don't have to mess too much with the Westell setup options.

Thanks,
Cricket

[glc]

Right - a WAP is a simple device that acts as a wireless hub, so to speak. They cost as much as routers, but they have their uses.

[Cricket]

Thanks George...thinking of getting the Linksys WAP54G as it looks like it's the easiest option for me to handle .

Since the Linksys WAP54G is just an access point all I gotta do is leave the Westell modem/router as is (except disable the wireless feature) and then plug the Linksys WAP into one of the ethernet ports, run a setup tool and it's all set to go?

Cricket

[glc]

You got it. I'd plug a wired computer into the router to do the config, it's CD-based and very simple, it doesn't even install anything on the computer. The CD gets it up and going, then you surf into it just like a router to do the advanced settings.

[Cricket]

Thanks for the help George...looks like the Linksys WAP54G is the way to go.

Cricket

[ktkendall]

Does the westell built in router have the built in firewall like the Linksys does though??

[Cricket]

Originally Posted by ktkendall Does the westell built in router have the built in firewall like the Linksys does though??

Yes, it's got a built in firewall.

Cricket

[Byte 2.0]

all routers that use NAT, network Addres translation are effective firewalls. Most routers on the market use NAT.

When I supported Bellsouth DSL, we could not legally say the westell 2100 and 2200 had a firewall, but we could tell people it had NAT and was similar to a firewall.

[ktkendall]

I would still be curious though if the westell is as secure as Linksys router, I would do a port security scan using both and see if security is as good. Linksys has that setting to block wan requests and I don't remember seeing that in the westell..

[Cricket]

Forgot all about this thread.

Back in April I replaced the Linksys wireless router with a Linksys WAP and hooked it up to my brother-in-law's Westell modem/router. Ran the setup software and everything is now running like it should. Nephew's have access to the internet from their laptops now using wireless adapters and main computer is hard wired directly to the Westell modem/router.

Thanks to everyone for helping me with this. And thanks for mentioning the wireless access point glc, wouldn't have known about it otherwise.

Cricket