Trying to NOT get whipped again by wireless [Archive] - SpeedGuide.net Broadband Community

View Full Version : Trying to NOT get whipped again by wireless


1cracker
07-15-06, 09:09 PM
Hello all...I would like to get a bit of a head start on upgrading my home network with a new broadband router. I presentlly have a Netgear FR 114P
that is about two years old and is starting to get a little twitchy. nothing too
serious, usually a re-boot will straighten things out but for the first time my familly has a new member (a laptop) with possibly a second one on the way.
we have had two hardwired PCs (our original network) for years, and now we would like to try adding wireless connectivity for the new laptops.
About 9 months ago when we first considered wireless I purchased an in-exspensive home grade wireless router with 4 LAN ports from Linksys.
I swear I havent been so totally whipped by a computer component in the 10+ years I have been building computers. I just could not get the thing to do anything. I followed the install instructions exactlly but making a long story short I was always able to put the netgear back in place and have complete connection but the linksys wouldnt do anything. I took it back, got a refund and swore off 1) Linksys and 2) wireless.
Now a year later I have no choice....I have to try again.... so after a lot of research online and asking lots of questions I am going to do it one more time.
I have a new Linksys WRT 54GX4 coming UPS (yes I swore off Linksys but this router seems to have good reviews).
I would like to put together a punch list/procedure in order to minimize the pain I am expecting.
My major points I know to address include: new good quality LAN cables,
the correct TCP/IP settings my DSL provider and I use, all computers clean and scaned for spyware, adware,viruses, etc and the phone numbers of my providers tech support (Such as it is).
Can any one point me toward any other info and tuitorials that might help.
any suggestions and comments would be apreciated.
This problem might very well be a common one and as such it might have been discussed to death.but networking in general is pretty arcane to a lot of otherwise intellegent computer savy people (myself encluded) and while diving headfirst into a PC scares me not a bit, If it werent for the fact that Windows XP pretty much handles the network chores all by itself, I truly doubt I would ever have gotten two PCs to talk to each other.
thanks a lot for any available help...

YeOldeStonecat
07-16-06, 11:02 AM
Those wrt54gx4 units are GREAT...I've setup a lot of those..I love 'em.

You mention DSL...first..I want to see which make/model "modem" you have..as many come configured as a router already...and IMO you don't want 2x routers on the same network...

Give these tips a quick read
http://forums.speedguide.net/showthread.php?t=203247

mnosteele52
07-16-06, 11:15 AM
Those wrt54gx4 units are GREAT...I've setup a lot of those..I love 'em.

I HIGHLY second that.

:thumb: :thumb:

1cracker
07-16-06, 04:17 PM
I have a Fujitsu speedport my provider is Verizon (we came over from GTE)

1cracker
07-16-06, 04:23 PM
also I have run "TCP/IP Analyzer", "TCP OPtimizer" and followed the recomendations, unfortunatlly analyzer indicates that my system isnt accepting optimizers changes. Mainly the MTU will not be changed to
1500. (I checked my modem settings and it is at 1500 so I am assuming that the MTU that analyzer is reporting is within the WINdows TCP/IP) ((does that make since?))

mnosteele52
07-16-06, 04:56 PM
You have DSL correct? If so then most likely it's PPPoE DSL so your MTU should be 1492, not 1500.

:)

1cracker
07-16-06, 05:32 PM
yes I do have DSL, TCP/IP analyzer says to run MTU 1500.
How do I verify one way or the other if I am PPPoE, I alwas was of the
idea that PPPoE required dial up for the connection (that is probably way to
simplistic)

YeOldeStonecat
07-16-06, 06:07 PM
If you're on Verizon..unless you're on their static business plan..you have PPPoE. If you have a username and a password, you're most likely using PPPoE. Yes it is a usually in the form of a "dialer"..but routers maintain it for you.

I'm not familiar with that modem..just wanting to make sure your DSL modem is not actually a combo modem/router that is already doing NAT. Usually Verizon uses Westell units that do that.