2700HG-B
This is a quick and dirty guide to turning the 2Wire 2700HG-B modem into a bridge, which is what the majority of broadbrand modems are. As a bridge, the modem connects to your wired and/or wireless router which connects to a number of computers.
The advantage of turning the DSL modem into a bridge is that there's no change to your existing local network. No duplicate logon info & firewall rules on the modem & router.
[DSL]===[2wire modem]===[router]===[switch/range extender]===[computers]
Why would you do that? Perhaps, you want to save money from monthly modem rentals if the ISP lets you opt out of the rental, you want minimal down time in case one of the modems is down, or you want to move the DSL service from a monopoly to an underdog startup. :)
You'll need the modem, a properly setup router, a working computer & a Category 5 network cable at the very least. An extra network cable for every wired computer or no more cables for a wireless setup. You must have everything installed & set up properly, other than the modem. The easiest transition is to switch from the rental modem of a perfectly working DSL setup to the 2wire modem.
Let's turn the modem into a bridge:
- Connect the modem's PHONE LINE port to a DSL connection with a phone cord
- Connect the modem's #1 network port at the back to a computer's network port with a network cable
- Turn on the modem, then the computer
- Stick a straightened paper clip in the RESET hole at the back of the modem for 10 seconds & release it, the indicator/activity lights will go off and on
- Go to http://gateway.2wire.net/management or http://192.168.1.254/management in a web browser
- Click Configure under Broadband Link at left
- Enter 0 in VPI textbox and 35 in VCI textbox
- Click Disable PVC Search radio button
- Select Direct IP from Connection Type drop-down menu
- Click SUBMIT
- Click Configure Services under Advanced at left
- Uncheck Enable Routing
- Click SUBMIT
- Unplug the network cable from the computer & plug it in the router's WAN port
- Turn on the router, any switch/extender & any other computers
- Connect the router & computer(s) with network cable(s) if it's wired or skip this last step if it's wireless
That's it. In most cases, you don't have to change a thing on the router unless there is a conflict between the settings like IP addressses. Wait for a minute for the setup to be in synch.
If you can't find the options in the change section & you're looking at an interface like this:
Well, you didn't correctly reset the modem while it was on.
If you're 100% sure you did everything right, but the Internet is no worky. Perhaps, unplug each networked computer's network cable, power it off, plug the cable back in, & power on. Or you can disable & enable the network interface in the Network Connections in Windows.
akhilles
