Need installation help with Buffalo WHR-HP-G54

Mine just arrived this afternnon, and it doesn't come with any manual so I
have to download the PDF manual from Buffalo web site. It's pretty late now
so after a quick browse through the manual, I only play with it for few
minutes. I will continue tommorrow, but I am pretty sure that I may need
some help so I give some information of what I have at my end, hoping
someone here can point out my error before I try again tommorrow.

CURRENT

1. I am using wired router NetGear RT-311, and because it doesn't have
multiple LAN ports so I connect to 5-Port HUB

The HUB connects to

[Port1] => PC (I believe this requires special cable?)
[Port2] => ROUTER (Netgear RT-311)
[Port3] => PC1
[Port3] => PC2
[Port5] => ????

Router connects to

[HUB] => [Local] (of router)
[modem] => [Internet] (of router)

And it has been working great for many years.

2. About an hour ago I tried to connect the Buffalo to

[HUB] => [WAN] (of Buffalo)
[modem] => [Port1] (of Buffalo)

And I got 2 LEDs POWER and "g"

NOTE - I didn't use the white cable came with the Buffalo so it may make a
different? And I didn't turn the power OFF then ON so it could be the
different?

3. I tried to connect to setting using "192.168.11.1" but got no connection.

Since the Buffalo has built-in 4-port so I may connect it directly to the
PC without HUB, but I just want to know what I have done wrong so I can
learn from my mistake.

Also, I have been monitoring this groups few months before ordering the
Buffalo, and I read many people mentioned about 3rd party firmwae (WAN54G or
whatever) and I wonder where I can get the correct firmware (yes, I have
found several places but they have so many different version and different
models to have me confused).

Thank You.

> 2. About an hour ago I tried to connect the Buffalo to
>
> [HUB] => [WAN] (of Buffalo)
> [modem] => [Port1] (of Buffalo)

If I understand your setup correctly, Port1 of the Buffalo should go to
the PC, not the cable/dsl modem.

> Also, I have been monitoring this groups few months before ordering the
> Buffalo, and I read many people mentioned about 3rd party firmwae (WAN54G
> or
> whatever) and I wonder where I can get the correct firmware

I just did this on my WHR-HP-G54. I used the dd-wrt firmware, latest
v24 beta
http://www.dd-wrt.com/dd-wrtv2/downl...td_generic.bin

Follow the installation directions carefully at
http://www.dd-wrt.com/wiki/index.php...4_and_WHR-G125
using the batch file listed there, and you should be fine.

There is also a firmware called 'Tomato' for the Buffalo, which I
haven't tried.

BTW, if your 'internet modem' gives its clients addresses in the
192.168.1.* network, you will have to change the default 192.168.1.* DHCP
assignments that the Buffalo hands out to *it's* clients, say to 192.168.0.*
This is on the main setup page.

rms

"rms" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:

> > 2. About an hour ago I tried to connect the Buffalo to
> >
> > [HUB] => [WAN] (of Buffalo)
> > [modem] => [Port1] (of Buffalo)
>
> If I understand your setup correctly, Port1 of the Buffalo should go to
> the PC, not the cable/dsl modem.

Thanks, I will give it a try later, but this may not seem right base on
how 5 PORTs setup.

BTW, this it how 5-port look from the back

[ ] = WAN <=- can I connect to HUB instead of PC here?
== separator
[ 4]
[ 3]
[ 2]
[ 1] <=- or connect to the HUB here?

Hmmm.. may be the WAN port is to connect to other ROUTER?

> > Also, I have been monitoring this groups few months before ordering the
> > Buffalo, and I read many people mentioned about 3rd party firmwae (WAN54G
> > or
> > whatever) and I wonder where I can get the correct firmware
>
> I just did this on my WHR-HP-G54. I used the dd-wrt firmware, latest
> v24 beta
> http://www.dd-wrt.com/dd-wrtv2/downl...td_generic.bin
>

I am downloading this now.

> Follow the installation directions carefully at
> http://www.dd-wrt.com/wiki/index.php...4_and_WHR-G125
> using the batch file listed there, and you should be fine.

Thanks, I found the site above few days before I ordered the Buffalo, and
it has so many different versions for many different models that have me
confused, so I make sure I get the corrent one.

Lot of reading on this one, so I will mark this part for more studying.
Thanks.

> There is also a firmware called 'Tomato' for the Buffalo, which I
> haven't tried.
>
> BTW, if your 'internet modem' gives its clients addresses in the
> 192.168.1.* network, you will have to change the default 192.168.1.* DHCP
> assignments that the Buffalo hands out to *it's* clients, say to 192.168.0.*
> This is on the main setup page.

I am using external Cable Modem, and "192.168.0.1" (I think) is the IP I
used to setup my Netgear RT-311, but I read Buffalo uses "192.168.11.1" so I
used "192.168.11.1" instead.

I will try different port and "192.168.1.*" .. I am new to wireless and
this is getting more confusing <bg>

BTW, thanks for your help. I am in the middle of downloading something
now to disconnect to try, so I will try later and report the good/bad news
later.

> rms

Joel <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:

> "rms" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:
>
> > > 2. About an hour ago I tried to connect the Buffalo to
> > >
> > > [HUB] => [WAN] (of Buffalo)
> > > [modem] => [Port1] (of Buffalo)
> >
> > If I understand your setup correctly, Port1 of the Buffalo should go to
> > the PC, not the cable/dsl modem.
>
> Thanks, I will give it a try later, but this may not seem right base on
> how 5 PORTs setup.
>
> BTW, this it how 5-port look from the back
>
> [ ] = WAN <=- can I connect to HUB instead of PC here?
> == separator
> [ 4]
> [ 3]
> [ 2]
> [ 1] <=- or connect to the HUB here?
>
> Hmmm.. may be the WAN port is to connect to other ROUTER?

OK, I connect Buffalo Port #1 to PC, modem to Port #4 (just away from port
#1 to have room to work) and I was able to connect to "192.168.11.1" to do
few simple setting. It was very sloooooow then can't no longer make
connection *after* I changed the IP "192.168.11.1" to "Auto".

I kept trying but no luck (haven't reboot system yet) and decided to
connect to the old NetGear RT-311 to send the report. I will have Buffalo
connected then reboot system (when I have the time) see if it will work this
time.

Again, thanks for your help.

> OK, I connect Buffalo Port #1 to PC, modem to Port #4

No, connect the cable/dsl modem LAN port to the Buffalo WAN port.
Disconnect the hub & old router completely, you don't need them anymore.

rms

Joel <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:

> Joel <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:
>
> > "rms" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:
> >
> > > > 2. About an hour ago I tried to connect the Buffalo to
> > > >
> > > > [HUB] => [WAN] (of Buffalo)
> > > > [modem] => [Port1] (of Buffalo)
> > >
> > > If I understand your setup correctly, Port1 of the Buffalo should go to
> > > the PC, not the cable/dsl modem.
> >
> > Thanks, I will give it a try later, but this may not seem right base on
> > how 5 PORTs setup.
> >
> > BTW, this it how 5-port look from the back
> >
> > [ ] = WAN <=- can I connect to HUB instead of PC here?
> > == separator
> > [ 4]
> > [ 3]
> > [ 2]
> > [ 1] <=- or connect to the HUB here?
> >
> > Hmmm.. may be the WAN port is to connect to other ROUTER?
>
> OK, I connect Buffalo Port #1 to PC, modem to Port #4 (just away from port
> #1 to have room to work) and I was able to connect to "192.168.11.1" to do
> few simple setting. It was very sloooooow then can't no longer make
> connection *after* I changed the IP "192.168.11.1" to "Auto".
>
> I kept trying but no luck (haven't reboot system yet) and decided to
> connect to the old NetGear RT-311 to send the report. I will have Buffalo
> connected then reboot system (when I have the time) see if it will work this
> time.
>
> Again, thanks for your help.

I just printed the first 40 pages of the manual, read only 8 pages and
found out quite a few errors I have made <bg> If I understand correctly the
manual says

- Connecting one of 4 ports to PC (not very clear about HUB)

- Connecting Modem (Cable/DSL) to WAN port. I connected to one of 4 regular
ports and it worked, but very slow and locked up after few minutes waiting.

- The manunal mentions everything OFF then

a. Turn ON the cable modem and wait for about 1 min (I didn't do)

b. Then turn ON Buffalo and wait for 1 min (I didn't do). It mentions if
seeing the Blinking RED dot then call tech, I seen the blinking RED but
because I didn't do correctly (guessing)

c. Then turn ON the computer which I didn't turn OFF (another err).

Page 9 is talking about configuration which I will read tonite to ready to
give another try tomorrow. I don't need wireless right away so I can take
my time to get thing right, while collecting more info.

"rms" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:

> > OK, I connect Buffalo Port #1 to PC, modem to Port #4
>
> No, connect the cable/dsl modem LAN port to the Buffalo WAN port.
> Disconnect the hub & old router completely, you don't need them anymore.
>
> rms

That's what I found out after I have the PDF manual printed and read
through page 8. And I didn't realize that the manual is on CD came with it,
and I was looking for the quick installation guide <bg>

I hope that I will be able to get everything running sometime tomorrow or
next week. And again, thanks for your help

Joel <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:

<snip>
> > Again, thanks for your help.
>
> I just printed the first 40 pages of the manual, read only 8 pages and
> found out quite a few errors I have made <bg> If I understand correctly the
> manual says
>
> - Connecting one of 4 ports to PC (not very clear about HUB)
>
> - Connecting Modem (Cable/DSL) to WAN port. I connected to one of 4 regular
> ports and it worked, but very slow and locked up after few minutes waiting.
>
> - The manunal mentions everything OFF then
>
> a. Turn ON the cable modem and wait for about 1 min (I didn't do)
>
> b. Then turn ON Buffalo and wait for 1 min (I didn't do). It mentions if
> seeing the Blinking RED dot then call tech, I seen the blinking RED but
> because I didn't do correctly (guessing)
>
> c. Then turn ON the computer which I didn't turn OFF (another err).
>
> Page 9 is talking about configuration which I will read tonite to ready to
> give another try tomorrow. I don't need wireless right away so I can take
> my time to get thing right, while collecting more info.

UPDATING

Well, I decided to pause the downloading to give Buffalo another try, and
I get the modem working to be able to configure the Buffalo (using
192.168.11.1). But it's paintfully slow, it takes between 5-10 minutes to
switch from one menu to other, the Task Manger reports it's eating 85-95%
CPU

- I am trying to change the administrator logon PW, but no luck after around
30 mins with 1/2 dozen trying. I type the "password" and "confirmation" but
after I select "APPLY" it will come back few minutes later with EXTRA DOTS
in the "confirmation BOX".

Password = ****** (6 chars)
Confirmation = ****** -=> change to ******** (8 chrs after APPLIED)

Well, I got tired of its game so I decided not to play its game, and guess
what it worked! (the new PW accepted). No wonder some others say the manual
is poor. I wonder if there is any option to setup without having to use web
browser?

- And I am going to work on the SECURITY. I do have wireless notebooks and
use wireless to connect to several different wireless networks, but never
set up one at home myself. Right now I just setup a WEP with 12-chars to
get started and will learn more later.

I read one of the method to block people from sneaking in is using the
SPEED because the further away the weaker the signal/speed. I just tried my
laptop and got 5-BARs, and it askes for *********** to be able to have
access (good sight?).

- Next, I will try the Firmware upgrading, but I may take my time on this
til I get to know this a little better (before I screw thing up <bg>). Any
more hint on this one would be appreciated (I got the link to mass info, but
it may take sometime to go through lot of technical info which is a little
over the head of newbie at this time).

The Web Setup is way too slow (eating too much CPU) to be able to do much.
Or it will cause slowness problem to web browser? I am working on the
configuration now to have the chance to try regular web yet to know more
(will find out more later).

It's way too much for me to learn, and don't even know what to ask <bg>

Joel <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:

<snip>
> The Web Setup is way too slow (eating too much CPU) to be able to do much.
> Or it will cause slowness problem to web browser? I am working on the
> configuration now to have the chance to try regular web yet to know more
> (will find out more later).
>
> It's way too much for me to learn, and don't even know what to ask <bg>

I reboot the system and Web Setting is lot quicker now. I have a question
about

Access-Point Mode which is now set to

[ ] Acquire IP Address Automatically
[x]Manual Setup

IP Address [192.168.11.100]
Subnet Mask [255.255.255.0 ]
Default Gateway

I wonder if it's better to set to "Automatically" as I am thinking it may
have something to do with my ISP and they may change IP now and then
(usually after having router off for ## minutes or so).

And thanks for any help. I am new to wireless setting and can only be
able to learn one at a time <bg>

"rms" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:

<snip>
> Follow the installation directions carefully at
> http://www.dd-wrt.com/wiki/index.php...4_and_WHR-G125
> using the batch file listed there, and you should be fine.

I downloaded the firmware you recomment last night but didn't get the
Buffalo running so I didn't try to upgrade the firmware.

Now, I have everything running fine for hours, and started reading the
information from the link above and it's kinda scary. I do believe I may be
able to follow the instruction (at least most of it), but wondering if I
have to do exactly what the instruction say, or if there is an easier way?

I didn't try Buffalo firmware (I don't even know what current version I
have), but it seems to have built-in option to upgrade firmware directly
from the Web SETUP?

Well, I just wanna lets you know that I am still studying the links you
gave me, but don't have the gutt to make the next move yet. Give me some
courage if you can <bg>

Again, thanks for your help.

> There is also a firmware called 'Tomato' for the Buffalo, which I
> haven't tried.
>
> BTW, if your 'internet modem' gives its clients addresses in the
> 192.168.1.* network, you will have to change the default 192.168.1.* DHCP
> assignments that the Buffalo hands out to *it's* clients, say to 192.168.0.*
> This is on the main setup page.
>
> rms