[ale] Q: Wireless Router and Bellsouth w/Westel(l?) Modem

[Brian Whigham]

John Mills wrote:
> ALErs -
>
> I plan to add a wireless router behind a BellSouth DSL modem. The modem is 
> the Westel(l?), not configured presently for mutiple computers.
>
> A thread here last year suggested reconfiguring the modem into 'bridging'
> mode before attaching a router behind it. What does that reconfiguration
> achieve, vs. just having the router place its DHCP request, then serving
> the computers behind it, including their DHCP, DNS, etc?
>   
I like it because DSL modems usually have minimal configuration options 
for port forwarding, remote admin, etc.  Most importantly, it obviates 
the need for double-natting which can cause problems with VoIP, FTP, and 
other protocols.

You could also avoid double natting by turning off the DHCP server of 
the router for your internal network and using one of the four ports for 
the DSL modem rather than the WAN/Internet port.  This is an ugly setup 
for customers/friends.   But, it's easier in some instances (like where 
one roommate owns the wireless router) because when the wireless router 
is yanked from the environment, things still "work".

Better yet, use a plain old switch and a plain wireless access point for 
simplicity.
> I suppose there is some reason not to do the simple 'plug'n'play' through
> the router, but I'm not expert enough to know what it is. The modem now
> does the PPPoE, modest fire-walling, etc. and I would be happy to keep it
> that way.
Good enough.  watch for double-natting.

oobx