Adding a wireless router (gateway) to existing NAT router

[GreenGhost]

I have a Westell NAT router already installed, and I just got a $10 Belkin /*cross fingers*/ wireless router. Since both are NAT devices, I assume DHCP & other settings must be changed in one of the devices. The 70-page manual does not mention anything about this. The router comes with some Windows software that detects the DSL connection and determine settings for the router, but I'm not sure if I should use it. I assume it won't mess with my Westell settings. Should I just plug it in using the WAN port? There's also a port with an "uplink" button. Is it for installing after a switch?

 

[gunrunnerjohn]

Disable the DHCP server in the Belkin router.

Set the Belkin router's base IP address outside the range of the DHCP server of the Westell router, but in the same subnet.

Don't plug ANYTHING into the WAN port on the Belkin router, connect one of it's LAN ports to one of the Westell routers ports.

Navigate to the base address of the Belkin router and configure the wireless as you normally would.

 

[tooltime]

set the default gateway in the belkin to the westell's ip address

 

[RhythmAddict]

These guys got it exactly right. Do exactly what they said to, make sure the gateway of the wireless router points to the other router...and the wireless clients point to the WIRED router for their gatway.

ex:
wireless router is 192.168.4.10
wired router is 192.168.4.20

gateway of wireless: 4.20
gateway of wireless clients should be 4.10

you might have to use a crossover cable, but that should be everything..let us know

 

[faZZter]

Why can't you just use the new router instead of running both? Do you need more wired ports or something?

I would take the westell out of the loop myself, doesn't seem like you need it anymore.

 

[GreenGhost]

Thanks guys. I'll try this evening and let you know...

Just curious, why can't I use the WAN port?

I must keep the Westell because I have DSL, and the Belkin has only RJ45 ports (nowhere to plug-in the phone line)

 

[faZZter]

Ahhh so it is a router/modem for your DSL. Got it.

The IP address on the wan side of the second router would be a private network address because of the NAT function of the Westell. If you plugged in the second router to the first through the WAN port it would try to do NAT again and probably use the same private network address. This would cause problems. I don't think a private address would be accepted on the WAN side of the second router anyway.

Jeez I'm confusing myself...too tired....too much time at work lately.

 

[GreenGhost]

Ok. I used the software utility to setup the Belkin router, and everything worked immediately. I checked all settings and they are as you guys suggested. I played with it for a while, enabling/disabling DHCP (both work), and trying to connect without using the WAN port of the router (which didn't work).

The only problem I had was that my wife was playing Diablo II on the desktop (wired from the router), and got disconnected all the time. So I put my old switch in between the Westell and the Belkin, and connected the desktop to the switch, which solved the issue. Maybe it's a quality problem of the Belkin. Now I have a pile of little boxes with blinking green lights to impress my friends

Thanks for the help!

 

[RhythmAddict]

Green -
You may want to check the keep alive settings in your belking....From what you said it seemed liek the wired computer was coming off the wireless router (assumign it has a built in swtich) Check those settings and see how it works..
If it isn't some kind of setting (like that or simliar....) in the belkin, then it could just be the wireless belkin router as you mentioned. I have this exact set up (dlink 614+ plugged into my catalyst switch) and everything works well...Also, you may want to try upgrading firmware to see if that solves the problem..
good luck