Config. for SB5100 modem, WRT54G and RT31P2 routers

Posts: 3 · New Forum Member Joined: Jun 20, 2006 Posts: 3

I cannot seem to get my Motorola SB5100 cable modem work with the RT31P2 and the WRT54G together - although it will work with each one individually. I used to live in DC, where I had verizon DSL and had myself configured with the WRT54G and whatever the first Vonage router I was sent and it all worked just fine.

Then I moved to the Philly area and lo and behold, DSL stinks here so I have to go to with the monopolistic Comcast. To avoid their ridiculous rental charges, I bought my own modem - Motorola's SB5100, which only has one ethernet port. I can only directly connect either the WRT54G, or the RT31P2, but cannot get all three connected and active. I originally had the Vonage router between the wireless and the cable modem, but then it just stopped working -- and I was instructed to connect the Vonage modem directly to the SB5100, which I did. But I could not daisy chain the WRT54G to the Vonage modem and get it to work. I'm extremely frustrated and am considering giving up vonage (particularly given how poor the reception is lately). . . but I'm loathe to do so. I love the spirit and concept of the company and want to remain a supporter -- but there has to be a way to make this work or I"m going to have to return to landline land.

I'd be grateful for any assistance anyone can provide.

PS -- I saw in one post the suggestion to upgrade firmware for the wrt54g, but i was unable to do so when I tried -- it kept saying my password was invalid (which password was being automatically populated).

Posts: 1123 · Vonage Forum **MVM** Joined: May 26, 2005 Posts: 1123

First of all, you need to get into the WRT and tell us what firmware is loaded right now. Try the default password/username, admin/admin, or just the password admin. The version number should be in the upper right hand corner of the page when it opens.

This is how I would set it up:

Cable Modem---->WRT------>RT31P2

Cabling:

Cable Modem Ethernet to WRT WAN port.
PC to whatever other port on WRT
RT31P2 WAN port to whatever other port on WRT.

Turn off anything going on in the RT. DHCP, Firewall, NAT, whatever, you want it to do NOTHING but phone adapter stuff.

Make sure DHCP is enabled on the WRT. You should not have to worry about port forwarding.

I had this exact setup on Comcast outside of Philadelphia for a year, and it ran great.

At this point, I'll let NateHoy introduce you to the wonderful world of QOS.

Also, here is a good resource:
http://vonage.nmhoy.net/

Posts: 3 · New Forum Member Joined: Jun 20, 2006 Posts: 3

thanks - i can't get into the WRT, unfortunately, using the default password. I don't know if I changed it ages ago when I set it up (can't imagine why I would have), but it's the default "admin" pw that it says is invalid. Second, the current config I have is SB5100->WRT54G (which works fine), and then the WRT54G is linked by ethernet cable to the RT31P2. But that's what doesn't currently work. The WRT54G is version 2, and I've never updated it before. It appears that there are as many as 6 versions now - so no clue what the "firmware" updates are (or whether I can jump in with the most recent one without having done earlier updates).

I'm going to look at the vonage link you forwarded, but i have no idea how to do the rest of what you instructed. Specifically, how to "turn off anything going on in the RT. DHCP, Firewall, NAT" etc. Should I load the software vonage sent again and get into the configuration set up that way? How do I turn off these options? I also have no idea how to "make sure DHCP is enabled," (I DO recall seeing this option in the set up, but I just did whatever the default was), nor what "port forwarding" means.

I'm one of those non-techies who is a little bit dangerous because I can figure certain things out (like how to set up a wireless router) without REALLY understanding the first thing about what I'm doing, so I really appreciate your guidance.

Posts: 2257 · Posted: Wed Jun 21, 2006 12:31 pm Post subject:

bentwich wrote:

thanks - i can't get into the WRT, unfortunately, using the default password. I don't know if I changed it ages ago when I set it up (can't imagine why I would have), but it's the default "admin" pw that it says is invalid.

While the WRT54G is powered up, press and hold the RESET button on the back for more than 30 seconds. That will do a factory reset, and the password of "admin" should work fine again.

Quote:

The WRT54G is version 2, and I've never updated it before. It appears that there are as many as 6 versions now - so no clue what the "firmware" updates are (or whether I can jump in with the most recent one without having done earlier updates).

Yes, you should be able to go straight to the latest firmware for your router, or to HyperWRT Thibor, from your current firmware version. Firmware completely replaces what is there, it does not "upgrade" it per se.

Posts: 3 · New Forum Member Joined: Jun 20, 2006 Posts: 3

Thanks Nate, I'll try that when I get home tonight. Any thoughts on the following?

but i have no idea how to do the rest of what you instructed. Specifically, how to "turn off anything going on in the RT. DHCP, Firewall, NAT" etc. Should I load the software vonage sent again and get into the configuration set up that way? How do I turn off these options? I also have no idea how to "make sure DHCP is enabled," (I DO recall seeing this option in the set up, but I just did whatever the default was), nor what "port forwarding" means.

Thanks.

Posts: 1123 · Vonage Forum **MVM** Joined: May 26, 2005 Posts: 1123

When you're ready to do this, log in to the WRT, and make sure DHCP, on the first page, is enabled. Also, go into the RT31P2's web interface and make sure DHCP is NOT enables, also located on the first page. Ignore the port forwarding, it's not important for you. Let us know how things go after you do all this we asked and we'll go from there.

Posts: 2257 · Posted: Wed Jun 21, 2006 3:57 pm Post subject:

bentwich wrote:

Thanks Nate, I'll try that when I get home tonight. Any thoughts on the following?

but i have no idea how to do the rest of what you instructed. Specifically, how to "turn off anything going on in the RT. DHCP, Firewall, NAT" etc. Should I load the software vonage sent again and get into the configuration set up that way? How do I turn off these options? I also have no idea how to "make sure DHCP is enabled," (I DO recall seeing this option in the set up, but I just did whatever the default was), nor what "port forwarding" means.

Thanks.

I have a guide to putting a WRT54GL (same as an older WRT54G) in front of a Vonage router: http://vonage.nmhoy.net is where all of my guides are located.

NOTE: I need to update my guide. If you decide to use the recommended aftermaket firmware, download Thibor's Version 14 for the moment, since that is what my guide is based on. Thibor has since released Version 15, but I haven't updated my guide, and I've found Version 14 easier to use.