Setting up the DSL and Buffalo

Ok, Jeff, I'm geting up to speed:)

I've ordered the DSL service from Linkline and they are sending me the
modem.

I've also just built a new box with built in NIC support. XP Home on this
one. I've downloaded the Buffalo manual (WHR HP G54) and read it twice.
The client device is a Wireless USB 11g. found on ebay for $6. The
connection software looks better than Windooze, so I'll use it if possible.
(ZyDas)
Both the router and client support encryption (all 3 flavors), which brings
me to my question:

Should I change any of the default settings BEFORE I connect, or do I use
the default settings (wired) for first connect?
My ISP uses DHCP.

Otherwise, it appears this should be a piece of cake:)

"Travis McGee" <nothere@aol.com> hath wroth:

>Ok, Jeff, I'm geting up to speed:)

Nope. You're still in the slow lane. I post so many messages, that I
can't recall what you're referring to. Pretend I have a short term
memory of about zero seconds and pretend I never heard of you.

>I've ordered the DSL service from Linkline and they are sending me the
>modem.
>
>I've also just built a new box with built in NIC support. XP Home on this
>one. I've downloaded the Buffalo manual (WHR HP G54) and read it twice.

You're already in trouble. You're read the manual too far in advance.
The delay between reading and installing will mean that you'll
probably try to install it from memory, make a huge mess, and only
then refer to the instructions. It's so much easier to not read the
manual until AFTER you get into trouble.

>The client device is a Wireless USB 11g. found on ebay for $6.

Ummm... wonderful. I have a short story. Last week, I was reminded
that I volunteered to provide wireless connectivity for the local
radio club between the repeater building and two nearby buildings. All
I had was my pile of old 802.11b junk that I had removed from service
for various reasons. I spend most of 8 hours doing battle with
ancient junk that should have been recycled or sold on eBay years ago.
Good luck.

>The
>connection software looks better than Windooze, so I'll use it if possible.
>(ZyDas)
>Both the router and client support encryption (all 3 flavors), which brings
>me to my question:
>
>Should I change any of the default settings BEFORE I connect, or do I use
>the default settings (wired) for first connect?

Always do your initial setup using a wired ethernet connection. It's
so much easier and eliminates one major source of complications. Start
with the DSL modem and plug your new "box" directly into the modem.
Do whatever un-natural acts the ISP insists you perform in order to
get online. Once the modem is working, power everything off, wait a
while for things to reset, and then plug in the Buffalo WHR-HP-G54.
Get it setup on the WAN side using a direct ethernet cable. Once
that's working, setup the wireless.

>My ISP uses DHCP.

Most do.

>Otherwise, it appears this should be a piece of cake:)

Famous last words: This should be easy.

With wireless, it's NEVER as easy as it seems in the advertising and
literature. Think about flashing your WHR-HP-G54 with DD-WRT
firmware.


--
Jeff Liebermann jeffl@cruzio.com
150 Felker St #D http://www.LearnByDestroying.com
Santa Cruz CA 95060 http://802.11junk.com
Skype: JeffLiebermann AE6KS 831-336-2558

"Jeff Liebermann" <jeffl@cruzio.com> wrote in message
news:dlos8358snt9r1vtq65d2osp3vsple2qsd@4ax.com...
> >The client device is a Wireless USB 11g. found on ebay for $6.
>
> Ummm... wonderful. > ancient junk that should have been recycled or sold
on eBay years ago.
> Good luck.
>
Hmmm, well this one is new, in the box and has grreat reviews. YOu probably
don't remember that this is what you advised to get.
(el cheapo USB)

> >My ISP uses DHCP.
>
> Most do.
>
I suppose.........yes, but to clarify, I" could" have gotten a static
address, but not running a web site, didn't see any benefit. Is there one?
And Earthlink, my other choice, uses POP oE, which I understand is a PITA.
IF I wanted dial-up, I could stay where I am.

> >Otherwise, it appears this should be a piece of cake:)
>
> Famous last words: This should be easy.
>
> With wireless, it's NEVER as easy as it seems in the advertising and
> literature. Think about flashing your WHR-HP-G54 with DD-WRT
> firmware.
>
Right. Will do that as soon as I get set up. CAn you say what are the
advantages? (besides the obvious increased settings to play with:)

Thanks for the help.

"Travis McGee" <nothere@aol.com> hath wroth:

>Hmmm, well this one is new, in the box and has grreat reviews. YOu probably
>don't remember that this is what you advised to get.
>(el cheapo USB)

Oh swell. So if it doesn't work, it's my fault.
You're correct. I don't remember. I don't want to remember.

>I suppose.........yes, but to clarify, I" could" have gotten a static
>address, but not running a web site, didn't see any benefit. Is there one?
>And Earthlink, my other choice, uses POP oE, which I understand is a PITA.
>IF I wanted dial-up, I could stay where I am.

The only time you really need a static IP is if you're running a mail
server and need to point a DNS MX record at the mail server.
Everything else can be done with dynamic DNS. I have static IP's on
my own systems because of this.

>Right. Will do that as soon as I get set up. CAn you say what are the
>advantages? (besides the obvious increased settings to play with:)

Yep. Lots of features to tinker with. My main reason is monitoring.
I setup SNMP (or syslogd) and grab numbers from the routers to get a
picture what the system is doing. When it dies, then I have a history
to look at to see what is considered normal. I also use them for
coffee shops (with an external RADIUS server). However, I don't think
I use 10% of the added features and functions available. The only
down side is that I tend to be attracted to the latest and greatest
revisions, which also tend to be the buggiest and least stable. I run
mine this way, and only inflict a version on my customers after I've
tested it thoroughly. I failed to do it this way in the past, and
have paid the price.

dd-wrt v23 simulator:
<http://www.informatione.gmxhome.de/DDWRT/Standard/V23final/index.html>
I've been tinkering with v23 sp3 lately. It has a few more features
and functions. No huge problems, yet.


--
Jeff Liebermann jeffl@cruzio.com
150 Felker St #D http://www.LearnByDestroying.com
Santa Cruz CA 95060 http://802.11junk.com
Skype: JeffLiebermann AE6KS 831-336-2558

"Jeff Liebermann" <jeffl@cruzio.com> wrote in message
news:0sts83hkp29bmrq7m4jdkgh9arlsefvu5s@4ax.com...
> Skype: JeffLiebermann AE6KS 831-336-2558

Well, just got off the phone with the DSL guys. After first saying they
*can* get me DSL, now they say "NOPE."


I can't get an answer, except "Maybe they locked your circuit out to pull
new wire."
My neighbor has DSL, though.........First the tech guy said "You show
already having DSL." Then he changed his mind the next day. I have no idea
what is going on in the switching office..

Looking for cable solution now, I guess.

UNLESS.......my mom has ATT DSL about 50 feet away. Over a fence and through
some aluminum siding, however.

IF I get the wireless to work, will it be fast enough for video
streaming>>?? IF not, then it's not worth it to me.

Me thinks not.

On Fri, 06 Jul 2007 21:24:00 GMT, "Travis McGee" <nothere@aol.com>
wrote:

>"Jeff Liebermann" <jeffl@cruzio.com> wrote in message
>news:0sts83hkp29bmrq7m4jdkgh9arlsefvu5s@4ax.com.. .
>> Skype: JeffLiebermann AE6KS 831-336-2558
>
>Well, just got off the phone with the DSL guys. After first saying they
>*can* get me DSL, now they say "NOPE."
>
>
>I can't get an answer, except "Maybe they locked your circuit out to pull
>new wire."
>My neighbor has DSL, though.........First the tech guy said "You show
>already having DSL." Then he changed his mind the next day. I have no idea
>what is going on in the switching office..
>
>Looking for cable solution now, I guess.

You give up too easy. Find a different ISP for DSL that is used to
dealing with Ma Bell or whatever. Incidentally, I run into
provisioning errors all the time with SBC/at&t. The paperwork
sometimes doesn't reflect reality and contradictions between the
billing and what's actually installed are epidemic.

>UNLESS.......my mom has ATT DSL about 50 feet away. Over a fence and through
>some aluminum siding, however.

Run CAT5 over the fence. If she doesn't have an NAT router to share
the connection, buy her one.

>IF I get the wireless to work, will it be fast enough for video
>streaming>>??

Dunno.

>IF not, then it's not worth it to me.

In addition to the CAT5 for internet, run 50ft of RG-6/u coax over the
fence. You might need to install an isolation amplifier to prevent
ground loops. At such short distances, wireless is not a great idea.

>Me thinks not.

Run the wires.

--
# Jeff Liebermann 150 Felker St #D Santa Cruz CA 95060
# 831-336-2558 jeffl@comix.santa-cruz.ca.us
# http://802.11junk.com jeffl@cruzio.com
# http://www.LearnByDestroying.com AE6KS