Help: I would like this topology: Computers <--> RangeMax <--> DSL Modem/Router <--> Verizon DSL

My existing setup is as follows:

Computers <--> RangeMax <--> *DSL Modem* <--> Verizon DSL

The DSL Modem (and old Wirespeed C90-36R516-01) is a modem only, and is
starting to fail. So Verizon shipped me a new modem for free "because I was
a long standing customer". Okidoki.

BUT the new modem (Actiontec GT704-GW) is also a wireless router. So my
preferred topology (because I don't want to lose the rangemax's reach and
abilities) would be something like:

Computers <--> RangeMax <--> *GT704* <--> Verizon DSL

1. I can follow instructions such as this:
http://kbserver.netgear.com/kb_web_files/n101496.asp , to setup the rangemax
as an access point/switch, but it warns that there is no guarantee of "DHCP
Pass-through". The setup indicates that the DHCP (for my computers to get
an ip) would be managed by the GT704. I'm not sure I understand why.

If all the computers that connect to my network go through the RangeMax,
shouldn't the RangeMax be the one assigning IP's?

Or does this raise a "double NAT" problem?

{Lots of confusion here}


And 2. This Actiontec GT704-WG seems to have sketchy reviews. If I were to
dump the
RangeMax and have the GT704 do the wireless as well as modem duty, then will
I see drop outs from microwaves turning on, and 2.4 GHz phone use, etc. ?
Does anyone here have any opinions on this thing good or bad?

THANKS!!!!!!!!!

"Thomas G. Marshall" <(E-Mail Removed). com>
wrote in message news:xP9Vi.1506$hd1.1232@trndny01...
>
> My existing setup is as follows:
>
> Computers <--> RangeMax <--> *DSL Modem* <--> Verizon DSL
>
> The DSL Modem (and old Wirespeed C90-36R516-01) is a modem only, and is
> starting to fail. So Verizon shipped me a new modem for free "because I
> was a long standing customer". Okidoki.
>
> BUT the new modem (Actiontec GT704-GW) is also a wireless router. So my
> preferred topology (because I don't want to lose the rangemax's reach and
> abilities) would be something like:
>
> Computers <--> RangeMax <--> *GT704* <--> Verizon DSL
>
> 1. I can follow instructions such as this:
> http://kbserver.netgear.com/kb_web_files/n101496.asp , to setup the
> rangemax
> as an access point/switch, but it warns that there is no guarantee of
> "DHCP
> Pass-through". The setup indicates that the DHCP (for my computers to get
> an ip) would be managed by the GT704. I'm not sure I understand why.
>
> If all the computers that connect to my network go through the RangeMax,
> shouldn't the RangeMax be the one assigning IP's?
>
> Or does this raise a "double NAT" problem?
>
> {Lots of confusion here}
>
>
> And 2. This Actiontec GT704-WG seems to have sketchy reviews. If I were
> to dump the
> RangeMax and have the GT704 do the wireless as well as modem duty, then
> will
> I see drop outs from microwaves turning on, and 2.4 GHz phone use, etc. ?
> Does anyone here have any opinions on this thing good or bad?
>
> THANKS!!!!!!!!!
>
Use the rangemax in router config. Just watch for any conflicting IP addy's
between the two.
You should be able to turn off the wireless on the actiontec also.

bushwhacker said something like:
> "Thomas G. Marshall"
> <(E-Mail Removed). com> wrote in
> message news:xP9Vi.1506$hd1.1232@trndny01...

....[rip]...

>> Computers <--> RangeMax <--> *GT704* <--> Verizon DSL
>>
>> 1. I can follow instructions such as this:
>> http://kbserver.netgear.com/kb_web_files/n101496.asp , to setup the
>> rangemax
>> as an access point/switch, but it warns that there is no guarantee of
>> "DHCP
>> Pass-through". The setup indicates that the DHCP (for my computers
>> to get an ip) would be managed by the GT704. I'm not sure I
>> understand why. If all the computers that connect to my network go
>> through the
>> RangeMax, shouldn't the RangeMax be the one assigning IP's?
>>
>> Or does this raise a "double NAT" problem?

....[rip]...

> Use the rangemax in router config. Just watch for any conflicting IP
> addy's between the two.
> You should be able to turn off the wireless on the actiontec also.


It's been suggested elsewhere (netgear forum) that the rangemax (RM) should
be a standard router managing the DHCP, and that the Actiontec (AT) should
be put into "bridge mode" or similar.

Computers <--> RM (router / DHCP / NAT) <--> AT (bridge mode) <--> Verizon
DSL

I can shut off the wireless of the AT, but what exactly is "bridge mode" ?
It is totally not clear from any documentation. Does a router in "bridge
mode", particularly " *transparent* bridge mode" mean that it is blindly
sending packets without intervention out any one of its 4 cat5 ports? If it
actually just makes the AT a simple modem, then how does it know *where* to
send the information?

I know in such a case that the RM then handles the DSL login/authentication,
just like it would when connected to a dumb DSL modem, but I'm skeptical
that the AT would know which of the 4 cat5 ports to send the information
down.

"Thomas G. Marshall" <(E-Mail Removed). com>
wrote in message news:cD%Vi.4292$sZ.2174@trndny04...
> bushwhacker said something like:
>> "Thomas G. Marshall"
>> <(E-Mail Removed). com> wrote in
>> message news:xP9Vi.1506$hd1.1232@trndny01...
>
> ...[rip]...
>
>>> Computers <--> RangeMax <--> *GT704* <--> Verizon DSL
>>>
>>> 1. I can follow instructions such as this:
>>> http://kbserver.netgear.com/kb_web_files/n101496.asp , to setup the
>>> rangemax
>>> as an access point/switch, but it warns that there is no guarantee of
>>> "DHCP
>>> Pass-through". The setup indicates that the DHCP (for my computers
>>> to get an ip) would be managed by the GT704. I'm not sure I
>>> understand why. If all the computers that connect to my network go
>>> through the
>>> RangeMax, shouldn't the RangeMax be the one assigning IP's?
>>>
>>> Or does this raise a "double NAT" problem?
>
> ...[rip]...
>
>> Use the rangemax in router config. Just watch for any conflicting IP
>> addy's between the two.
>> You should be able to turn off the wireless on the actiontec also.
>
>
> It's been suggested elsewhere (netgear forum) that the rangemax (RM)
> should be a standard router managing the DHCP, and that the Actiontec (AT)
> should be put into "bridge mode" or similar.
>
> Computers <--> RM (router / DHCP / NAT) <--> AT (bridge mode) <--> Verizon
> DSL
>
> I can shut off the wireless of the AT, but what exactly is "bridge mode" ?
> It is totally not clear from any documentation. Does a router in "bridge
> mode", particularly " *transparent* bridge mode" mean that it is blindly
> sending packets without intervention out any one of its 4 cat5 ports? If
> it actually just makes the AT a simple modem, then how does it know
> *where* to send the information?
>
> I know in such a case that the RM then handles the DSL
> login/authentication, just like it would when connected to a dumb DSL
> modem, but I'm skeptical that the AT would know which of the 4 cat5 ports
> to send the information down.
>
>
>
>
>
>
>It will know. The RM will be the only other thing hooked up to any of the 4
>ports. Putting it into bridge mode will just make it a dumb modem in this
>config.

lisa swallowz said something like:
>
> It will know. The RM will be the only other thing hooked up to any of the
> 4
> ports. Putting it into bridge mode will just make it a dumb modem in this
> config.


Your reply indent was off by one for some reason BTW.

Here's the problem now. It turns out that Actiontec I have is a Verizon
rebranded one which has radically different HTML front-end settings pages.
The standard GT704-WG way of setting transparent bridge mode is as follows:

Advanced Settings --> WAN address --> Transparent Bridge Mode

On this Verizon logo ridden thing the clicking goes:

Advanced Settings --> WAN address --> (arg! only PPPoE vs. DHCP here!)

If I flash this thing with the actiontec original firmware update, will that
crock the modem, or give me a 704 that behaves like Actiontec intended?


--
Forgetthesong,I'dratherhavethefrontallobotomy...