Router & Modem bridging

September 15, 2009 8:41 PM

How do I bridge my Linksys WRT54GS router with my (DSL) Motorola 2210-02-1022 Router (Style MSTATEA)?

They were initially "bridged" for the sake of something about PPPoE, and I reset both because when that happened, our connection wasn't secure and I couldn't do anything to change it. Finding information on how to, and attempting to access the router or modem independently didn't produce any results. I've tried "power cycles," reset both multiple times, and have tried a variety of settings on the modem (making the modem the default PPP device versus making the plugged in item the default PPP device) and on the router (Automatic DHCP and PPPoE). I could call AT&T again to straighten this out, but I'd rather not walk through this for two hours and risk doing all the work in vain if our network is not secure again.

posted by steampowered to computers & internet (6 answers total)

What I forgot to mention: When plugging my computer directly into the modem, it connects just fine (when set up a certain way). However, when plugging in the router, the ethernet light no longer displays a green light and doesn't pick up the connection. The router works fine as we've been using it when the router and modem were bridged (and our connection, unsecure).
posted by steampowered at 8:45 PM on September 15, 2009

The place where you have to set it to "bridged" is in the modem interface. Then you set your router to do PPPo[E|A], add your username and password, and then pretend the modem doesn't exist.

I've had issues with crap modems where they seem to forget about bridged-mode, so you need to connect directly to the modem to remind it that it is just the modem.

That all said: I don't understand what you mean when you say "They were initially "bridged" for the sake of something about PPPoE, and I reset both because when that happened, our connection wasn't secure and I couldn't do anything to change it."

'Secure' in what way?
posted by pompomtom at 9:27 PM on September 15, 2009

One option is to just allow the modem to act as the router/firewall and initiate the PPPoe connection to AT&T. This is how it would act if you just wanted to plug a single computer into the modem directly.

You can then plug the modem into a LAN port (not the WAN!) of the Linksys. The Linksys then acts as a switch (you can still plug other LAN devices into the LAN ports) and a wireless access point.

If you go this route, prep the Linksys by turning off the WAN port and DHCP server (both under the Setup tab) and ensure that the IP that is assigned to it doesn't conflict with the modem (it shouldn't, router is usually 192.168.1.1 and modem is 192.168.1.254). Set up wireless how you like (rename the SSID, enable WPA encryption)

I would suggest investigating if your Linksys router can handle installation of DD-WRT or Tomato firmware as they're highly superior to the junk Linksys installs by default.
posted by ijoyner at 11:21 PM on September 15, 2009

Hmm... right. Very confused as to the actual question.

1. Your setup. (assumed). Phone Line---(wire)---Motorola Modem---(wire)---WRT54GS~~~(wireless)~~~computers. Right?

2. What do you want (assumed)? Secured Internet at your wireless computers

With the assumed setup above, simply set your modem up in bridge mode (don't log in to PPPoE), plug into internet port on your WRT54GS, set up DSL login information on WRT54GS. Also set up wireless for WRT54GS, setting WPA2 with PSK (Private Shared Key), and make up a key name (supersecretpassword). Then join the wirless network with computer using (supersecretpassword). This is now a 'secure' network. Please note, it's only nominally secure, always connect to https sites when transferring sensitive information. The NAT/firewall in the router will prevent others outside your network from accessing your shared drives on your computers.

Please clarify if my assumptions are wrong.
posted by defcom1 at 12:25 AM on September 16, 2009

What is your OS?
Can you install DD-WRT?
posted by edmo at 1:53 AM on September 16, 2009

are you looking for the actual steps for going back into bridge mode?
We have a similar set up [DSL thru Earthlink] with modem in bridge mode and the WRT54GS serving the LAN.

In order to program the modem, you need to connect the PC to the modem. Open a browser window and type the IP address into the address bar. Our modem had the IP address 192.168.1.1, and a previous modem had the address 192.168.1.1

the modem will request a password. different passwords you could try are "admin" or "1234" or "0000"

You walk thru the steps of the wizard, selecting BRIDGE mode. After that point, the modem will disappear from visibility from your network. you need to perform a HARD RESET [poking the button inside the hole] to bring the modem back to default]

other posters have commented thoroughly on the router side of things,
posted by ohshenandoah at 12:35 PM on September 16, 2009