Router is giving me problems... :(

[Foxie3a]

First off, I'm really new to everything related to networking, but I'll try to learn fast!

I have Verizon DSL. I have a Westell 6100 modem that works fine. I just bought a Netgear gigabit switch.

My objective is to have internet/file/print sharing across the network.

I connect the phone line to my modem. The modem then goes into the WAN slot on my USR 8003 router. Then the router's LAN1 port goes into the switch. Then the computers are connected to the switch. Is this the correct setup physically?

When connected, I can't even so much as communicate to the router, its address just times out. I have reset it, but nothing helps.

So I am forced to unplug it all, and connect the modem directly into one of my computers to post this.

Even without the switch, the router usually can not be found. I have made it work before, but then it'll loose its signal(it's a wired router too), and then I have to reset it all.

My friend gave me the router, and he used it for many months without a single problem, so I'm confused as to why I can barely make it do anything whatsoever.

Routers are expensive for how cheap they look. Any recommendations for a new router if we are all in agreement that my current one needs to be replaced?

Shouldn't I be able to communicate to the router if it's plugged into the switch? All internet sharing aside, I should at least be able to go into its configuration setup by putting in its address that is provided in the manual.

Or am I just so wrong on all of this?

Thanks for all of ur help, it is much appreciated. :)

[gorilly]

your set up sounds ok to me. You should be able to communicate with the router via the switch. whats the model number and brand of the router?

phoneline > modem > router > switch > computers

is the switch managed or unmanaged? does it have an uplink port (post model number)

connect your router directly to your pc, forget the switch for a minute.

click start, run, type CMD and hit enter.
in command type IPCONFIG /ALL
are you getting an ip address?
if not then your router might not be performing as a DHCP server (this gives out ip addresses to connected devices).
(make sure your pc is set to obtain an ip address automatically)

can you log in and configure your router?


let me know...

[turd]

Your problem may be that that Westel is in itself a router and needs to be set in bridge mode to work properly in the config you have. To check:

Open a browser session to access the Westell Interface and enter "192.168.1.254" or "launchmodem" in the address field.

This should bring up the config page.

This may or may not be your model/issue but here is a good link on how to set it to bridge mode:

http://www.dslreports.com/faq/6323

[SuperDave1685]

Yes. Your modem has a built-in router. You don't need to set it to bridge mode I wouldn't think. I had Verizion DSL until last week. I had the modem connected to a router which I used as a switch. That to me, would be much easier. All you'd have to do is just change its ip address. Simple as that. How many computers are you running?


Heres how I had my network configured (4 PCs):

Phone line--> Modem--> Router (turned into a switch by changing the IP address)--> PCs

[gorilly]

Yes. Your modem has a built-in router. You don't need to set it to bridge mode I wouldn't think. I had Verizion DSL until last week. I had the modem connected to a router which I used as a switch. That to me, would be much easier. All you'd have to do is just change its ip address. Simple as that. How many computers are you running?


Heres how I had my network configured (4 PCs):

Phone line--> Modem--> Router (turned into a switch by changing the IP address)--> PCs


america gets modem router from your isp's... lucky.

in the uk all you get is a usb POS

[Foxie3a]

Thanks Turd! You are so right, the modem itself has no problem sharing the internet connection.

Just FYI, here is the switch that I bought.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16833122111

I was afraid to buy it because Netgear is so "standard", and I was afraid it wouldn't work very well. However, I decided to forget the router, and plugged the modem directly into switch, then the computers into the switch. Bingo, internet is available on all of the computers.

In conclusion, the router is garbage as far as I am concerned. And I'm glad that I got it all working. Thanks for your help everyone, I really appreciate it. :)