Wierd Networking Problem with DSL Modem/Router

Alrighty. This might get complicated, I hope you can follow along.

PC 1
OS: Windows 2k Pro
IP: 192.168.0.2

PC 2
OS: Windows 98 SE
IP: 192.168.0.3

4 Port DSL Router
Make: Netgear
Model: RP114
LAN IP: 192.168.0.1
WAN IP: 192.168.1.47

1 Port DSL Modem and Router combo
Make: Westell
Model: C90-610015-06
LAN IP: 192.168.1.1
WAN IP: 71.106.233.104

To put it simply, now and again, like now, my internet applications that need to establish a new connection, like Eudora for email, MSIE for web pages, etc, have a hard time, taking 1 to many retries before a connection is established. On pinging my various network components I find that it drops packets when I ping 192.168.1.1 , the LAN address of the DSL modem/router combo box.

C:\Documents and Settings\Administrator>ping 192.168.1.1

Pinging 192.168.1.1 with 32 bytes of data:

Request timed out.
Request timed out.
Reply from 192.168.1.1: bytes=32 time=4ms TTL=63
Reply from 192.168.1.1: bytes=32 time=4ms TTL=63

Ping statistics for 192.168.1.1:
Packets: Sent = 4, Received = 2, Lost = 2 (50% loss),
Approximate round trip times in milli-seconds:
Minimum = 4ms, Maximum = 4ms, Average = 2ms

As I said, sometimes it's good, nothing dropped and it's all smooth sailing, other times like this it's hanging up half the time and naturally nothing wants to connect. Should I get Verizon to replace the modem/router, should I find another modem on my own that can handle IP over ATM? <checks> A Bridged VCI connection according to the router, one of the VCI numbers is enabled in Bridge mode. As well as the ATM Loopback is enabled by default. Or should I dump the 4 port router in favor of a 5 port switch? The modem does do DHCP and has a good size pool by default which is configurable. Or something I am not thinking of? Any useful information is, always, appreciated. Thank you for your time.

BelGarion

 

I'm not much of a fan of double NAT on the LAN side but to each his own.

I would set the Netgear's IP address to 192.168.1.x, (same subnet as Westel) turn off DHCP and not use the WAN port on the Netgear. Let the Westel handle DHCP and all routing.

Which peice is handling PPOE?
Store the credentials for your ISP in the Westel if your not already doing so and take a hard look at your cables and terminations.

 

My suggestion would be;

#1-Shut the Router part of the Modem off if you can and let the Router do the work.

#2-take the Router out of line and let the Modem do the work.

I myself would prefer ( and do have ) #1.

I have a Linksys 4 port Switch which 3 machines and a Printer are plugged into. It in turn is plugged into a port of the Linksys Router which in turn is cabled to a Cable Modem. And everything is set on Auto.

One time this machine may be 198.168.1.100 and another time it may be 198.168.1.103 depending on the order that the machines get turned on.

It takes a special Printer to do this but it is well worth it because the Printer does not need to be shared and therefore does not need one certain machine to be on at all times.

Another thing is that the Modem, 4 port Switch and the Router and the Printer are always powered. At one time I did shut them down only to find that it caused problems.

BillyBob

 

Most routers also provide a means to reserve (assign) an IP address to a specific NIC card (router continues as a DHCP Server for devices on your LAN). When this option is used, attached devices can be started up in any order, but will be assigned a preferred IP address. This can be useful for some HP Network printers. I have HP Photosmart 2610 printer interfaced via ethernet/router connection. This printer along with a number of other HP networkable printers has difficulty managing print output if printers IP address changes on the network (between powerdown / powerups). Also for security, I have attached device IP numbers reserved assignments 192.168.0.2 ,3 ,4. With Router acting as DHCP Server, I set Start and end IP address range from 192.168.0.2 to 192.168.0.4

 

Ah, there is no PPoE, this is Verizon we are talking about here. So let me see if I can figure this out. Put the modem in amonst the PCs, not off of the usual connection for the modem? Ok... May take some work as the PCs all have permenant IPs, my system runs servers (Web and FTP) both, so the router's DHCP is already turned off. Left it on for the modem/router as I was thinking the WAN port on the router would be expecting it, normal behavior for a modem is to give the computer it's address. As for the setup, it's how it wound up. Origionally it was a straight modem (Big honking mother too) to the 4 port router, but when I upgraded Verizon sent me a 1 port modem/router ... With 3 PCs normally (ones down for a while until I can get parts for it) a 1 port modem/router wasn't gonna do. So I set it up like I used to have it setup but I set up my PC as the DMZ in the 4 port modem router so I'd only have to open up one set of ports for the servers, not two. Ok, off to muck up the configuration and hope I get it right. Thanks!

BelGarion

 

Different needs require different setups. I myself have no need for Static IPs.

We have nothing shared. Each machine is a standalone uint. I do not even consider the printer as actually being shared. It is installed separately on each machine.

BillyBob

 

Actually the network is not static, DHCP is set to auto. The reserved assignment prevents problems with any of the computers finding the the printer on the network. This has been a sore spot for HP (small office/home) type network attached printers.

 

Here's my suggestion of changes to your setup.

PC 1
OS: Windows 2k Pro
IP: 192.168.0.2

PC 2
OS: Windows 98 SE
IP: 192.168.0.3

4 Port DSL Router
Make: Netgear
Model: RP114
LAN IP: 192.168.0.1
WAN IP: 192.168.1.47 --> 172.16.0.2 use staic

1 Port DSL Modem and Router combo
Make: Westell
Model: C90-610015-06
LAN IP: 192.168.1.1 --> 172.16.0.1
WAN IP: 71.106.233.104