sharing internet w/dsl modem & router

[heynow]

I've been trying to help a friend share her internet connection between 2 pc's using a Prestige 650M dsl modem and a Linksys BEFSR41 router for the past few weeks. Every configuration imaginable has been tried, we've followed the hardware's instruction manuals to the letter and have all the latest drivers and firmware and still only one computer can connect at a time. Also, I know the modem should be connected to the routers WAN port but the only way she's been able to get online is to connect the modem to one of the router's LAN ports and then use a broadband connection w/PPPoE that she created in the Network Connections folder. When checking the status of each pc's LAN connection, the pc w/no internet sends alot of bytes but doesn't receive any bytes. Both pc's are listed in the router's dhcp clients table so I know the router can see them. The modem's ip address is 192.168.1.1 and I changed the router's to 192.168.1.2 in order to access its configuration page. Router's PPPoE login function is disabled and modem's dhcp function is disabled. We've tried different NIC's, different cables, even a different router. Both pc's use XP Home and ISP is Bellsouth. What additional info can I provide to help figure this out before we are both completely bald? Thanks

[YeOldeStonecat]

If the modems IP address is 192.168.1.1 then it's running in a router mode already. If you want to use your Linksys, several ways to bandaid this, but the best approach would be to call the ISP support, tell them you NEED that Pretige modem to run as a pure bridged modem only, that you NEED to disable its NAT/router function.

This past year, more and more ISP's are doing a fairly smart thing, by selling little combo modem/routers, so that peoples computers are better protected by NAT. But with some people wanting to setup routers to share to a network, this can create a problem.

Some things to test.....you said the modems DHCP is disabled....but...enable it just for yucks, and report back what IP address it would give your computer. I'm going to guess it will give your computer some 192.168.1.XXX address. If so, the modem is running in router mode.

The routers should be doing all the PPPoE authentication...make sure that's enabled. But I'm curious, if the routers WAN port is set to "Obtain auto"...if you look at the status tab, does it show a WAN IP address? Probably would get one if your modem was running DHCP.

Technically if the Pretige has to run router mode, if you change your Linksys to 192.168.0.1, and set the WAN to "Obtain Auto"...then you could get it working double NAT.

Anyways, that's my hunch...that the Prestige is running router mode already, and will only hand out 1x LAN IP address. Can you call their support and ask to have the modem reconfigured as just a pure bridged modem, just say you'll be using your own router, which naturally they won't support, but don't ask them to either.

[heynow]

Thank you so much for taking the time to respond. To answer your questions:

Some things to test.....you said the modems DHCP is disabled....but...enable it just for yucks, and report back what IP address it would give your computer. I'm going to guess it will give your computer some 192.168.1.XXX address. If so, the modem is running in router mode.

Ok, we had tried that before and if I remember correctly yes, the computer's ip address was 192.168.1.34 Also, in the modem's general setup there is an option for PPPoE Bridge and we've tried enabling and disabling it.

The routers should be doing all the PPPoE authentication...make sure that's enabled. But I'm curious, if the routers WAN port is set to "Obtain auto"...if you look at the status tab, does it show a WAN IP address? Probably would get one if your modem was running DHCP.

No, no WAN IP address on the status tab. Remember though that the modem is plugged into a LAN port on the router, not the WAN. That's the only way we can establish an internet connection.


Anyways, that's my hunch...that the Prestige is running router mode already, and will only hand out 1x LAN IP address. Can you call their support and ask to have the modem reconfigured as just a pure bridged modem, just say you'll be using your own router, which naturally they won't support, but don't ask them to either.

The modem was not supplied by Bellsouth, it was purchased elsewhere.

Now I have a few questions of my own. Though we've tried just about everything, I don't think we've ever had the modem and router configured properly at the same time. If the router is set to login, what should the modem settings be? Also, do we even need to be using XP's built in PPPoE client at all? At this point, I think we just need someone to spell it out for us---modem settings, router settings and network connection(LAN connection) settings. And, since the modem isn't supplied by Bellsouth, I will contact Zyxel for instructions on disabling the NAT/router function.

Again, thanks so much for your help.

[Sava700]

That generic IP# 198.164.0.1 etc is supplied by the Router and also in ICS or internet connection sharing which from what I read your using already.... I advise you for one erase that connection ..then hook the modem to the WAN port and then the other cables to each computer make sure they are GOOD Cat5 cables cause you never know you might have a bad one etc.. When you plug them in watch the back of the NIC and see if it lights up. Then run the software again on each computer or as said to install the router so the comps will detect it. Then reboot the suckers or run a ipconfig to reset them and make sure its set to detect the internet connection. If this all fails you might want to try another router.. the router itself may not be any good.