The most difficult thing I had in regards to my wireless network was the initial setup. If you have Verizon DSL, you’ll know that they don’t tend to make connection modifications quite as easy as you want them to be. The same goes for setting up an outside router, like a Linksys brand, for a wireless network. You have the option of calling their tech support department and getting over-the-phone support or you can do it yourself. The following is a step-by-step tutorial to make your life a little easier.
NOTE: My modem is a Westell 6100. I do not know if the Modem Configurations are the same for each of the modems that Verizon provides. If someone could send me a message or leave a comment here confirming such, I would appreciate it.
Before running the Linksys EasyLink software, let’s start by bridging your modem. Make sure that your modem is connected directly to your computer and not connected the router. Once the connections are verified, turn your modem on and wait for the Power, Ethernet, DSL, and Internet lights are all solid green.
Throught trial and error as well as Verizon’s recommendations, the configurations for the bridging mode seem to work better in Microsoft Internet Explorer. If you do not have Internet Explorer installed on your PC, you can download Internet Explorer 7 by clicking here.
1. Open up Internet Explorer and clear everything in the address bar. Type the following IP address into the address bar: 192.168.1.1 and press the enter key.
2. Upon entering the above local IP address, you’ll be directed to the ProLine DSL Modem main page. If this is your first time doing this, you may be prompted for a username and password. If so, for the username, type admin and for the password, type password. You will be able to change the password later.
3. On the ProLine DSL Modem main page, you will see a variety of tabs. Main, My Network, Firewall Settings, Advanced, and System Monitoring. Click on the My Network tab.
4. On the left side of the screen will be three different options: Main, Network Status, and Network Connections. Click on Network Connections.
5. In the center of the screen where it says Network Connections, there is a small chart containing two links: Broadband Connection (DSL) and LAN. Click on the Broadband Connection link.
6. You will be taken to the Broadband Connection (DSL) area. However, the configuration page will be named slightly different: Advanced DSL Configuration. You will see three different sections on this page: Routed Bridge Connection, VCs, followed by a series of three checkmark boxes. Ignore the checkmark boxes and click on the icon under the Edit column of the VCs section.
7. There are only two sections that you need to be concerned about for this next step: Protocol and Bridge Mode. Make sure that both sections are enabled as “Bridge” and click on the “Apply” button towards the bottom of the configuration page.
8. Follow steps 3 through 5 to get back to the Network Connections page. Instead of clicking on Broadband Connection (DSL) link, click on LAN. Also, keep the modem IP address at it’s default. Click on “Apply” and allow the new configurations to take place. Note: Verizon tells you to remove the checkmark from the checkmark box next to “Private LAN DHCP Server Enable”. However, I left it alone and my wireless network still works fine.
9. This next step has worked for me before and I’m sure it will work for you: Leave the modem and computer alone for about five to ten minutes. I’m serious. Give the modem some time to configure its new parameters and then proceed to setup your Linksys Router.
Setting up the Linksys Router
The wireless router I use is a Linksys WRT54GS with Speedbooster. Linksys recommends that you run and install the Linksys EasyLink Advisor provided with the router. It will guide you through step by step the instructions of connecting your modem to your router, as well as getting the Internet Connection to work.
So in todays day and age the internet is becoming more and more part of out everyday lives correct? Well in my case yes! So on thursday May 29th HiWEB-Interactive over at hiweb.net and I were talking about AT&T and where they plan to be with there data network in 4 years. I learned tons about some very interesting wireless technologies and here is a breakdown of the current and future wireless data technologies at their best!
Sprint and Verizon :
EV-DO Rev. A – 1.5- 3.1 Mbps download max! This means that Rev. A is only going to see these speeds that is it nothing more they are done.
Sprint and Verizon are investing in WiMax that will deliver 50Mbps to the end user by the year 2015.
AT&T :
UMTS/HSDPA/HSUPA – 1.4 – 20Mbps! This current wireless technology is already in use in more major cities that AT&T is servicing! WOW 20Mbps. Well you might be saying why are we not seeing these speeds? It is because currently the overhead of the AT&T network is too high therefore we are only going to see 1.4.
AT&T plans on releasing HSPA that will bring the wireless devices closer to the 20Mbps by late 2009 and plans to have a full blown LTE (long term evolution) network set up by the end of 2012 bring 100Mbps data transfer speeds per handheld on the AT&T wireless network. So if you have a phone with AT&T keep it they are the leaders in the future of wireless voice and data coverage.