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Have a router/DSL modem combo and to use own DD-WRT router

PingSpike

PingSpike

Lifer
I have a combination router/modem for my DSL connection. The best I can tell, just getting a standalone modem to replace the unit isn't trivial. Reading around it seems like most recommended modems are also combos but maybe that isn't true as I haven't researched much.

I'm not sure I feel like buying another modem to replace a working one anyway. My modem is a Westell 7200 IIRC but I don't think there's any way to turn the thing right off. I can put it into bridge mode though.

My main question is: Are there disadvantages of using bridge mode over a straight modem -> router that I'm not thinking of?

Also, how hard will it be to access the modem/router once it is behind my router? It seems I can just reset the modem settings if I don't like my setup but what if I wanted to access its web interface? I suppose I probably wouldn't need to do that.

I'd also like to setup a OpenVPN connection on the DD-WRT to connect to Private Internet Access but only for certain machines on my internal network. Is that easy to do? I could limit it to certain static IPs maybe. Is there a way to assure that those machines only can connect through the PIA connection?
 
You should be fine to keep the Westell and just use bridge mode. Your new router will handle DHCP and NAT for all connected devices, and there are no real disadvantages of using the Westell modem (unless there is a backdoor [note: I don't see Westell listed, but that doesn't mean it isn't affected]).

Once you've got the new router up and running, you shouldn't have any problem connecting to the modem. You'll use the modem's default IP address and should connect just fine (on my network 192.168.1.1 is router, 192.168.100.1 is modem).

Running OpenVPN on DD-WRT shouldn't be a problem, but only routing specific machines may be a problem. If you can't get it or don't want to go through the hassle of setting it up, there are two simpler options:

  • Install OpenVPN on those machines directly (easiest)
  • Use both routers, with the new router strictly for VPN connections - leave Westell modem/router as is, disable DHCP on new DD-WRT VPN router, set static IPs for VPN machines to connect to DD-WRT VPN router, all other machines connect to original router.
 
PingSpike said:
Also, how hard will it be to access the modem/router once it is behind my router? It seems I can just reset the modem settings if I don't like my setup but what if I wanted to access its web interface?
Click to expand...

Not hard to swap cables. I also watched a network admin here plug a hole in such a NAT configuration to allow him to access such a device behind the router without having to unplug cable. Happened so fast, I couldn't follow, but at least there is a way to configure it... I believe it was routing table. Who knows... I could be wrong.... could?... no definitely wrong.

By separating the modem from the router with DD-WRT, you can do what you want. By the way, DD-WRT v3 I just found is available for many Broadcom based routers. check ftp://ftp.dd-wrt.com/betas/2015/. I love it. You can enable beamforming (at least on Broadcom) even if your router's firmware didn't support it. Both types of BeamForming. Explicit (official AC standard) and implicit (best try, no guarantee. Worked well for my Wireless N printer)
 
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