How do I properly setup a Motoro

How do I properly setup a Motorola 2210 modem with a Linksys router?

Instructions for setting a BellSouth supplied Motorola/Netopia 2210-02-1006 with a popular Linksys (BEFSR41v.2) router. Other Linksys routers (including wireless routers) are very similar and can use the basic setup of this FAQ. This initial setup is all that is needed to configure and connect your Linksys based network for FastAccess DSL. Additional setup for features like DHCP IP ranges, port triggering, etc are out of the scope of this FAQ.

Important Linksys 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.

Cool stuff before you begin
An online menu simulator for the 2210 is available here. The simulator recreates the 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.

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

The Overview

•The best configuration for networking a Linksys router(or any other external router) with the Motorola/Netopia 2210 is to set the 2210 to "Bridged Ethernet" mode and allow the Linksys to do the routing and DHCP functions. The Motorola/Netopia 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 may result in double NAT'ing, increased latency, possible IP conflicts, or possibly a network that doesn't work at all.
•Both the 2210 and Linksys router must be reset to default by pressing the reset button for approximately 30 seconds. Despite what the help desk tech (or anyone else) tells you, resetting the modem does not put it into Bridged Mode.
•The BellSouth Installation CD is not required (nor recommended) to enable this configuration.
•Since BellSouth assigns static IPs via your username the configurations shown are applicable to both dynamic and single static IP customers. Do not hard code a static IP in the router.
•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 your 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 alternative ways around this problem but they both have major liabilities. 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 2210 interface, and start over again.
Cool stuff before you begin!
An online menu simulator for the 2210 is available here. The simulator recreates the 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.

Configuration Steps for DSL Motorola/Netopia 2210

Step 1
Verify that your NIC card is 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 for 10 seconds. After the modem has fully reinitialized, connect the 2210 to the NIC and then power up the computer.

Step 2
Open a browser application and enter "192.168.1.254" in the address field to access the 2210 User 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
Once at the main menu, 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.

Linksys Router Information

Step 5
When the computer is completely powered down, 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 6
Important note: The following screen shots are based on a Linksys BEFSR41v.2 router and your screen shots may be slightly different, however the process and specific configurations are the same. The settings shown are the basic connectivity requirements for internet access. 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 7
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 the recommended 180 seconds in the Redial Period field. Do not enter anything in the Host Name or Domain Name fields. Important Operational Note: If your model has the ability to manually enable MTU size you should select Enable or Manual and enter 1492 (or less) in the Size field. The MTU fields are not shown on the screenshot below and may be on a different menu tab. Click on Apply to save the changes. You will get a "Settings are successful" message, click on Continue (if required).

Final Connections and Everything Power Up

Step 8
Power everything down and physically connect the 2210, the router, and any computer(s) as shown below.

Pictures by Andy Houtz

Step 9
Power up the network equipment in this order:
•Motorola/Netopia 2210 Modem (wait til the ready light is steady green)
•Linksys Router
•Computer(s)
•Open a browser session and try to surf. If you do not have a connection 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 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.
•The Motorola/Netopia 2210 has an "Internet" light that is green whenever there is an active PPPoE session initiated by the 2210. 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.
•You should recheck your tweak settings in order 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.

CREDITS FOR ARTICLE;

This article sent to me ans passed on from DSL Reports.

Pictures by Andy Houtz