Earthlink Cable Modem and Linksys Router

[radarnbo]

I just barely switched from DirecTV DSL to Earthlink/Time Warner cable modem. We had to switch because our DSL was very unreliable. I have the four port Linksys router and with DirecTV I just plugged it in and it worked. It acts as a DHCP server and that is fine. I have multiple computers, but for the most part only use one. I use the router as both a router and a switch. Anyway..

I just got the Earthlink cable modem today and I cannot get it to work through the router. How do I know if it is PPPoE or anything else? Does anyone else use Earthlink/Time Warner in Los Angeles? Please help. E-mail is best, but I will be watching this post also.

 

[sohcrates]

have you tried resetting the router?

 

[radarnbo]

I did a hard reset and tried unplugging it for a little while. I wasn't home when they installed the modem, so I didn't see what they did. Also, I don't know anything about the Earthlink service. We don't have many options right where I am and we ordered Earthlink as soon as we saw it.

From what I can tell, my NIC is still set to get an IP automatically, but I don't know if I have a static IP or not. On the DirecTV the router found the IP, gateway, DNS, et. automatically. I have tried to renew the connection and that doesn't work either.

 

[sohcrates]

well, the NIC should still be set to DHCP...most likely you only have one IP and the router takes it and therefore automatically assigns non-routable IP's to all your boxes.

hmmm

does it work if you bypass the router and plug straight into modem? is that how the guy set it up?

 

[radarnbo]

It works if I go from the modem to the NIC in my computer. That is how I am using it right this minute, but I want to get the router back in line ASAP. I bought the router used and I have never updated the firmware. Could that make a difference? If so, will someone please give me instructions on how to do it? I can't find my friend who normally helps me, so I am back on the boards to see what the experts have to say. I know I am not providing much for details, but I will try to find out more myself. Thanks again.

PS - Your Audi picture didn't show up when I checked your site.

 

[sohcrates]

i seriously doubt updating the firmware would do anything, except be a hassle

have you rebooted all the computers? (not just the router)

if you don't want to reboot, you can go to a command prompt and type "ipconfig /release" followed by "ipconfig /renew" and that should reset your DHCP and what not

 

[radarnbo]

I haven't rebooted the computer, but I have renewed the IP setting on the computer when it is connected to the router. I just can't get the router and the cable modem to talk. I don't know if Earthlink uses some special software or what. My wife said they did install some software on the computer, but I don't know if that is the problem or not. I tried the PPPoE settings, but that didn't work either. When I tell the router to renew it can't connect to anything. Or won't. It just acts like it tries to refresh, but can't find anything.

 

[sohcrates]

ahhh..so the router itself can't pick up an IP?

how are you working with the router? via a web interface?

 

[radarnbo]

I guess that is how I do it. The manual gives an IP and that connects me to a menu for the router. It used to connect automatically to the DSL modem. Once in a while I had to turn off the modem then turn it back on. I am just nervous about doing that with this one since I barely got it and I can only get it to work directly with the computer.

 

[sohcrates]

hmmm. well, my last idea for tonight is this:

setup the network (via router, like you desire it to be)

and unplug everything and shut down all computers.

then, reset cable modem (it's not a big deal, don't worry about it)

wait till it comes up (all indicator lights back to what they look like right now)

next, plug in router

finally, turn on one computer, and go from there

then report back

 

[radarnbo]

That worked! Thank you very much for your patient help. I had restarted everyting individually at least once, but I guess it took all of them to do it. Thanks again.

Marcus

 

[sohcrates]

seriously?

wow...rock on!

 

[SaigonK]

Sound sliek your cable modem captures your MAC address then hands out a DHCP address to a PC (or your router) based upon that MAC.
it's a way for the cable company to keep you from using more than one PCat a time, the router obviously gets around this since the modem only sees the Routers address.

A simple unplug of your cable modem, (let it sit for 5 minutes) then plug back in.