Connecting a Linksys Router to your BellSouth Internet Service ADSL
- Note that this document assumes that you have a working peer to peer network setup already. If you need to setup a network please read this web page. This document uses Windows 98 Second Edition in all of it’s examples.
- Determine if you are a Bridged or PPP customer. PPP customers have to “connect” using their ID and Password. Bridged customers have the MAC address of their Network card registered and obtain an IP address at boot from BellSouth.
- Determine the type of modem you have. You will need either an Alcatel 1000 or an Alcatel Speed Touch Home Ethernet based modem. Note: If you’ve been using the NTS EnterNet 300 software you will probably have to remove it before connecting that PC. And you will not use it with the router.
- Purchase the router. You can find them at Office Depot or check Pricewatch.com if you want to mail order. If you do not have a network the BEFSR41 is your best bet as it includes a 4 port switching hub. If you already have a network (and a hub) the BEFSR11 will save you about $30 to $40 dollars.
- Go to www.linksys.com and find the latest firmware upgrade for your router. Currently there is a link on their main page for this. Download this and extract the files before continuing.
- Connect the router as shown in therouter’s manual. From the Ethernet port on the modem to the WAN port on the router and from a LAN port on the router to the computers Ethernet card.
- On your PC open the Network Properties dialog box. (from Control Panel select Network or right click Network Neighborhood on your desktop and select properties)
- Select the TCP/IP that’s connected to your network card and click Properties. (picture)
- Select the “IP Address” tab and select “Obtain an IP address automatically”. (picture)
- Select the “WINS Configuration” tab and select “Disable WINS Resolution”. (picture)
- Select the “Gateway” tab and remove any gateways installed. (picture)
- Select the “DNS Configuration” tab and select “Disable DNS”. (picture)
- Select the “Advanced” tab and check “Set this protocol to be the default protocol”. (picture)
- Select the “Bindings” tab and uncheck “File and printer sharing for Microsoft Networks” as well as “Client for Microsoft Networks”. You will need “Microsoft Family Login” or something else to bind to TCP/IP, otherwise you’ll get an error. (picture) For file and print sharing use the NetBEUI protocol.
- The remaining tab “NetBIOS” does not matter here. (picture)
- Click “OK” and “OK” again and Windows will prompt you to reboot. Reboot.
- After the computer comes back up, launch a browser (I.E. or Netscape) and type in “192.168.1.1″ and press enter.
- At the password screen (picture) type “admin” for the password (not User Name) and press enter.
- At this point you’ll see the router’s setup page. Check your “Firmware Version” and verify that it is the same as the version you downloaded. (it probably won’t be) If you don’t have the latest version, close your browser and follow the instructions to install the latest firmware.
- After the router reboots, re-launch your browser and login again.
- If you are a PPP customer jump to step 25.
- Bridged Customers Only. Call the BellSouth Helpdesk and tell them that you need to change the registered MAC address. On the router’s setup page give them your User ID, and the MAC address on the WAN IP Address line. NOTE be sure you don’t give them the MAC address on the LAN IP Address line. If you do you WILL NOT get an IP address!
- While they’re still on the phone, click on the status tab and and check the IP Address in the WAN: section. If you have 0.0.0.0 click on the “DHCP Renew” button and wait for the screen to refresh. You may have to do this as many as 10 times to get a valid IP address. Once you do, hang up, you’re done with the helpdesk.
- Bridged Customers jump to step 29.
- PPP Customers Only.
- On the router’s setup page, enable “PPPoE” and enter your User Name and Password. Your User Name is your email address @bellsouth.net. (just the part before the @)
- You’ll also want to check the boxes beside “Keep Alive” and “Connect on Demand” leaving “Max Idle Time” at “0″ Min. Note: Some people are saying that “Connect on Demand” is now stopping them from connecting! If you have any problems try unchecking that first!
- Click the “Apply” button. Then go to the”Status” tab at the top of the page and Click the “Connect” tab and wait for the screen to refresh. After 30 or so seconds the screen should refresh and you should see that you’re connected and that you have an IP address in the WAN section. If it does not connect you may have to try a few times.
- Now click on the tart button and select Run. Type “winipcfg” and press enter. elect your network card and click the “More Info >>” button. If the DNS Servers line is blank, click the “release” button and then the “renew” button. You should now have a DNS server listed.
- Go to your browser and click on the “Tools” menu option and then “Internet Options”. Select “Never dial a connection”. Click the “LAN Settings…” button and make sure the “Automatically detect settings” box and the “Use a proxy server” box are both unchecked. Click “OK’ and “OK” again.
- At this point you should be able to surf.
- On each additional computer follow steps 7 - 16 and 29 - 31.