Issues using a Westell 1600 with a Netgear RP114

First let me state that I am pretty new when it comes to setting up networks.

I have 2 computers that I want to be able to share files and Internet. The first comp is running XP Pro and the second is running Ubuntu 7.10.

The Modem that Verizon sent me is a Westell 1600, and my router is a Netgear RP114.

I have beat my head against the wall for about a week now trying to get this to work and so far no luck. Worst part is when I connect to the modem (LAN IP 192.168.1.1) anything that I do requires a user/pass that I do not have. I have found that the default user/pass is admin/password, but that doesn't work, and I have never changed it. So if there is a way to reset/retrieve this I would definitely like to know.

I can connect to the Internet with either computer and the Westell easily, but when I throw the Netgear into the picture thats where the problems start. I just cant get the two to work together at all.

 

I think (looking at the Westell datasheet) your main problem is that the Westell 1600 is actually a router rather than a modem. If you use that with the NetGear RP114, you have two routers trying to do the same job and getting confused.

By far the simplest solution would be to let the Westell 1600 act as the router and use the Netgear simply as a switch. To do that, you need to turn off the DHCP service on the Netgear router. Then just plug the Westell into one of the four switch ports (1-4) on the Netgear. Do not plug the Westell into the Netgear's WAN port. You'll then be able to plug your two PC into two of the other four switch ports on the Netgear, leaving you a port free.

You can reset the Netgear to default using a button on the back. That will reset the admin password to default. Have a look at section 11-8 in the manual. The section on DHCP settings starts on page 5-3. The first item in table 5-2 refers to the relevant check box. This is the relevant reference: "If this box is cleared, the router’s DHCP server is disabled. "

 

Thanks, that worked great. But now I have 2 new problems.

My Netgear is no longer at 192.168.0.1, I think the modem must have reassigned the IP to it and I have no idea what it is now.

Also my connection keeps dropping every 20 min or so. Each time it comes back on its own, but still that can't be right.

 

Do an ipconfig from the cmd prompt and check your own IP. You may find it doesn't start 192.168.0, but rather 192.168.1 or similar. If that is the case, the Westell unit is using a different subnet to the netgear.

You'll need to disconnect a PC and the netgear from the rest of the network, then connect to the netgear without the Westell present and reset the Netgear to an address that suits the Westell (an IP address the same as the Westell except the last digit which needs to be different. Therefore, if the westell is 192.168.1.1, set the netgear to use 192.168.1.250. If the westell is 192.168.0.1 then set the netgear at 192.168.0.250. If the westell is at 10.0.0.1 then set the Netgear at 10.0.0.250.) change the address after you have turned off DHCP on the Netgear.

Note that once you change the IP address of the Netgear, that you won't be able to connect to it until you return to the Westell network.

Once the netgear has been reconfigured, connect everything back up together.

The 20 minute drop out could be due to the netgear trying to do something on the same network (were both routers using 192.168.0.1 for example). See how you get on once the router is reconfigured.

 

I'll add this comment to what Reggie said.

When I change the IP address of a device from something other than what it came out of the box with, or I turn DHCP off, I take a Sharpie marker or a peice of tape and write the new IP address on the device so that 6 months down the road and I need to get into that box and can't remember what the IP is I have a backup.