On Oct 14, 3:48 pm, "skidmarks" <aschw...@acm.org> wrote:
> I just bought an AirLink wirelessmodemand am trying to connect it to my
> Westell 6100. I've spent a week or so so far. Verizon chat/e-mail/tutorials
> have not been helpful. Anyone know what Westell settings need to be changed
> (or any other advice)?
>
> The Westell is setup with an Ethernet rather than a USB connection.
Most telecom instructions for DSL setup say 'do this or that' and
just plain avoid saying what or why is ongoing. Many who are
knowledgeable of the technology are still completely confused by the
telco's documents. Telco will starve us of facts as if everyone is
too dumb to understand and should instead always call technical
support.
First establish whether your Westel is in bridge mode or router
mode. In router mode, your Westel's server has an IP address accessed
from ethernet port and another IP address viewed from its DSL
connection. If in bridge mode, then something on the Westel ethernet
port (ie modem inside the Airlink router) would have that DSL address
and Westel server in that bridge would not be accessible from
computer's ethernet port.
Whereas putting the Westel in bridge mode will eliminate latency
(that is only important in real time applications such as chat, VOIP,
or gaming), that bridge mode makes diagnostic analysis slightly more
complex and mostly from indicator lamps. Again, the telco so starves
us of information that assistance from the telco is often necessary to
change to bridge mode.
Long before converting a Westel to bridge mode, first get the
current (default) configuration to work with an already working Westel
and computer.
Start by collecting facts. What is the address of that Westel modem
from computer's perspective. Typically it would be 192.168.1.1. IOW
from Command Prompt, if you enter PING 192.168.1.1 , then a properly
working Westel at that address will echo that ping. Do this to also
become familiar with the PING diagnostic. At any time, if you have
doubt about computer making a connection, then use PING to test access
to that IP port address.
Computer would have an IP address assigned by the DHCP server inside
the Westel. Confirm this by two methods. First method, view Internet
Protocol (TCP/IP) properties for the computer's Ethernet port by right
clicking on Local Area Connection icon, and then selecting
Properties. Highlight Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) from the list and
click on the radio button 'Properties'. Either the computer lists its
(static) IP address 'Use the following IP address', OR its IP
address is leased from the Westel modem under 'Obtain an IP address
automatically'.
Second method is obtained from entering IPCONFIG /ALL (on same
Command Prompt window that executed PING).
Finally, view server pages inside using the browser to access URL
192.168.1.1 - the Westel's IP address.
Bottom line: data shows the computer connected to Westel modem and
provides numbers for that connection including mask, IP address,
hardware (physical) address and other information. Now move on to
configure the Airlink.
Airlink's router must get its IP address for a server inside that
wireless port from Westel's DCHP server. Easier is to change that
router from maybe a default 192.168.1.1 address anything else such as
192.168.1.3 . Obviously the Westel already has the 192.168.1.1
assigned. A server inside the Airlink router should use another
address such as 192.168.1.3 .
Setup the Airlink router by first connecting it to the computer with
no Westel connection. Computer can now access server inside Airlink
probably by entering 192.168.1.1 in browser - see Airlink
documentation for further information or URL address. Setup pages
will appear. The Airlink default (or server) address must be changed
to anything but 192.168.1.1 and the Airlink's DHCP server must be
disabled.
Anything that would get an IP address automatically should get it
from the Westel's DHCP server. Best is to have only one DHCP server
(Westel's or Airlink's) enabled. That DHCP server would also list the
range of 192.168.1.x addresses that can be leased.
Once the Airlink server has an address other than 192.168.1.1, then
the Airlink is ready to connect to the Westel, and computer connects
to Westel via Airlink ethernet ports. Make those cable changes now.
Once connections are established and confirmed using PING, and
servers at 192.168.1.1 and 192.168.1.3 can be accessed, then use
setup page for Airlink's Wireless port to setup that connection.
Notice stepping through the problem. First confirm if and how
computer connects through Westel. Then setup the Airlink router (and
modify its address to something unique from Westel) using computer.
Then cable computer to Westel via Airlink ethernet ports. Verify (ie
using PING) so that computer can connect to Westel through Airlink.
Finally setup the Airlink's Wireless port. Stepping through the setup
in a sequential manner is how to break a setup process into parts,
then confirm each part works properly (using PING and the browser)
before trying to setup the next part.
BTW, you do like a challenge?
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