I have Bellsouth DSL fast access extreme. I understand it is a dedicated connection - why do I loose the connection and have to re-initiate it periodically?? Is this normal or is there something I can do to ensure a connection all the time?? I am planning on using my cell-phone through a router for wifi connectivity and would like to ensure tat my cell phone would be useable.

The steps will very some depending on the model of the modem and router but these steps should help.


How do I proprly set up a Linksys router for FastAccess DSL? Important Note: Due to some operational issues it is VERY important that you have the latest firmware on your Linksys router. Please go to the Linksys Download Website and ensure you have the newest firmware.

Configuration of a Linksys router depends on the type of broadband service and other equipment connected. This is a generalized Linksys Router FAQ and some firmware, capabilities, and actual screen shots may vary. This initial setup is all that is needed to configure and connect your Linksys based network for FastAccess. Any additional setup for features like WEP, DHCP IP ranges, port triggering, etc is out of the scope of this FAQ. Other FAQs may be more appropriate and provide more specific information:
•If you are using a BellSouth supplied Westell 2100/2200/6100 modem please reference the FAQ here.
•If you are using a BellSouth supplied Motorola/Netopia 2210 modem please reference the FAQ here.
•If you here IFITL (PCData) service please reference the FAQ here.
•Both the modem and router must be reset to default.
•The BellSouth Installation CD and Connection Manager are not required to use this configuration.
•Since BellSouth assigns static IPs via your username the configurations shown are applicable to both dynamic and single static IP customers.
• You will be using the PPPoE client built into the Linksys router for connectivity/authentication. Please delete any other unused PPP clients like Enternet300, RASPPP, or the native XP client.

Section 1 - Linksys Router Configuration
Step 1
Verify that your NIC card is set to "Obtain IP Address Automatically". Power down the router and any PCs. Connect one of the router's LAN ports to the computer NIC and power up the router and then the computer. Reset the router to default by pressing the reset button for roughly 25 seconds (exact placement of the button differs per model).



Step 2
Important note: The following screen shots are based on a Linksys BEFSR41v.2 router and your screen shots may be different, however the process and configurations are the same. Open a browser session and enter 192.168.1.1 in the address field to access the Linksys Interface. At the Username and Password prompt enter admin (without quotes) in the Password Field.



Step 3
On the Linksys Setup page select PPPoE from the WAN Connection Type pull down. Enter your BellSouth Username followed by "@bellsouth.net". Enter your BellSouth Password. Select Keep Alive and enter 180 seconds Redial Period field. Do not enter anything in the Host Name or Domain Name fields. If your model has the ability to adjust MTU size (not shown below) select Enable or Manual and enter 1492 in the Size field. Click on Apply to save the changes. You may get a "Settings are successful" message, click on Continue (if required).




Section 2 - Physical Connections and Power Up
Step 4
Power everything down and physically connect the modem, the router, and any computer(s).


Westell 2100 shown. Pictures by Andy Houtz
Step 5
Power up the network equipment in this order:
•
Westell or Motorola Modem (wait for DSL synch)
•Linksys Router
•Computer(s)
•Open a browser session and enter "192.168.1.1" in the address field to access the Linksys Interface. Click on the Status tab from the menu then click on the Connect button to connect to the Internet.
•Go surfing!



Important Additional Information
•The Westell 6100 and Motorola 2210 modems have an "Internet" light that is green whenever there is an active PPPoE session initiated by the Westell. Since you are using the Linksys to establish the PPPoE session the light will stay off. This is normal.
• Do not change the Linksys Operating Mode from Gateway Mode (default setting) to Router Mode, or it will not function correctly.
•The Linksys "Auto" MTU capability does not function correctly on some models/firmware. You must manually enable the MTU and adjust the size to 1492 (or less). If you are experiencing slow/erratic speeds, constant disconnects, or receive a "Can not obtain IP address from the server" or "PPPoE negotiation fail" errors click here.
•You should check your tweak settings to optimize your new network. Reminder: If you change your MTU, make sure that it is set identically on all equipment (PCs and routers) in the network.


I hope this was helpful,
Shawn

This FAQ is for configuring a BellSouth supplied Motorola/Netopia 2210-02-1006 with a generic third-party router that isn't specifically covered in the existing FAQs. If you have a router that is covered in the FAQs, I suggest you use that FAQ. This initial setup is all that is needed to configure and connect your generic router based network for FastAccess DSL. Any additional setup for features like DHCP IP ranges, port triggering, etc is out of the scope of this FAQ.

This FAQ has 4 Major sections:
Section 1 - Overview
Section 2 - Motorola/Netopia 2210 modem configuration
Section 3 - Third party router configuration information
Section 4 - Connections and power up

Section 1 - Overview
•The best configuration for networking a router with the Motorola 2210 is to set the 2210 to "Bridged Ethernet" mode and allow the third-party router to do the routing and DHCP functions. The 2210 is also a router with full DHCP functions and may not function correctly when connected directly to another router. Not changing the modem to Bridged Ethernet will result in double NAT'ing, increased latency, possible IP conflicts, or possibly a network that doesn't work at all.
• Before proceeding both the 2210 modem and third-party router must be reset to default. Despite what the help desk tech tells you, resetting the modem does not put it into Bridged Mode.
• The BellSouth Installation CD and Connection Manager are not required to use this configuration.
• The third-party Installation Wizard CD should not be used in this configuration.
• Since BellSouth assigns static IPs via your username the configurations shown are applicable to both dynamic and single static IP customers.
• You must connect the 2210 directly to the computer's NIC to make the necessary changes before you connect the router, because you will probably be unable to access the modem interface after you connect the router. The reason is that the modem interface is 192.168.1.254 which is a local IP. By default, most routers do not have the capability to route a local IP out of their WAN port (where the 2210 is connected). Additionally, they may be on completely different subnets. After you have made the changes to the 2210 you can then connect the router and configure it for use with FastAccess. There are several alternatives around this problem. One method involves extra equipment (second NIC and a hub) and major configuration changes. The second method requires you to utilize the router as a simple switch and use the 2210's PPPoE and DHCP functions. Click here for more information.
•If you encounter any problems simply reset the 2210, connect it directly to your NIC, restart your computer, log into the interface, and start over again.

Section 2 ? Motorola 2210 Configuration
Step 1
Verify that NIC cards (wireless or wired) are set to "Obtain IP Address Automatically". Completely power down the 2210 and the computer(s). Power up the modem and press the reset button on the back of the modem. After the modem has fully initialized connect the 2210 to the NIC and then power up the computer.

Step 2
Open a browser session and enter "192.168.1.254" in the address field to access the 2210 GUI interface.

Step 3
Enter your BellSouth Username followed by "@bellsouth.net" in the User ID field. Enter your BellSouth Password in the Password field. Re-enter your BellSouth Password in the Confirm Password field. Click on Next. Update the Auto Calender Update Configuration as desired and click Next. The modem will try to initiate a session and then return to the main menu.

Step 4
Click on Broadband DSL Line from the top menu. Click on Configure Connection from the right menu. Select "Bridged Ethernet" from the Protocol pull down. Click on Save and restart the connection at the bottom. This will automatically restart the modem and the interface will return after the changes are saved. Note: functions like NAT, DHCP, IP Passthrough, and username and password will be disabled or irrelevant and can not be selected. After the modem has restarted, power down both the computer and the modem then physically disconnect the 2210.

Section 3 - Third-Party Router Information
Step 5
After the PC is powered down connect one of the router LAN ports to the computer NIC and power up the third-party router and then the computer.

Step 6
Open a browser session to access the router interface as per the router's user guide. Even though the interface will vary from router to router you must use the following configurations as a basic rule:
- Select Obtain an IP address automatically. Important Note: Use Obtain an IP address automatically even if you ordered a static IP.
- Select PPPoE connectivity. Do not select any other choice, even if you have a static IP.
- Enter your BellSouth Username followed by "@bellsouth.net"
- Enter your BellSouth Password
- Select "Keep Alive" or "Always On" (if available)
- Set "Maximum Idle Time" to "0" which is similar to "keep alive" and "always on" (if available)
- Select a redial or reconnect period of "180 Seconds" (if available)
- Enter "1492" in the MTU Field (if available)
- Save your settings (which will probably restart your router)

Section 4 - Connections and Power Up
Step 7
Power everything down and physically connect the 2210, wired or wireless router, and any computer(s).




Pictures by Andy Houtz

Step 8
Power up the network equipment in this order:
1) Motorola 2210 Modem (wait for DSL synch)
2) Third-party Router
3) Computer(s)
Open a browser session and go surfing!

Important Additional Information
•The 2210 has an "Internet" light that is green whenever there is an active PPPoE session initiated by the Motorola. Since you are using the Netgear to establish the PPPoE session the light will stay off. This is normal.
•You should check your tweak settings to optimize your new network. Reminder: If you are required to change your MTU, make sure that it is identical on all equipment (PCs and routers) in the network.

Cool Stuff
An online, html-based menu simulator program is available here. The simulator recreates the Motorola 2210 user interface and provides the ability to navigate menus; just like the real modem interface. It is for simulation purposes only and will not make any changes to your actual modem.

bellsouth will walk you through the instructions step-by-step if you call them up.

1,there is a reset button
2,press this using any pin with power
3,automatically restart
4,connect your router with pc
5,type 192.168.1.1 on the browser
username:admin
password:admin12 or admin
configure router
enable dhcp

I would go to run and type in cmd. then type in ipconfig, I believe that is right for windows 98. I would look on there and see if that is getting a correct IP and if the DNS server says 192.168.0.1 if it is a belkin router. ipconfig /? will give you the commands you can use with that. There is a ipconfig /renew that will refresh them all. You might have it set to be a static IP and you would want it to be dynamic and have it refresh by itself. You can go to http://hippo.colorado.edu/info/ipsetup/staticip_setup.cgi?os=win98 for directions to change it to dynamic, I would just do the opposite of what they suggest to make it auto config. It sounds like it is looking for a previous DNS server which is not there anymore because the DSL connection reset.

Does it work with outlook express or windows mail?


Try this...
http://help.bellsouth.net/bellsouth/asp/downloadControls.asp?backUrl=http%3A//help.bellsouth.net/bellsouth/asp/salview.asp%3Fsprt_cid%3D00204a10%252Deda6%252D4fe4%252Da196%252D5834421ba53c

You said that every evening @6:30 you loose your connections, did you try to call your ISP what is the problem? If they have no explanation for this, i think it's better to change your ISP.