KB 175

Configuring the Actiontec 1520 (the white model) to use NAT

Article:175
Created:2002-08-07 14:08:52
Categories:
  DSL

Question or Symptom

I just received my Actiontec Wireless-Ready DSL Gateway, and I need to set it up and configure it.

Resolution

Currently, this article covers only the most basic user configuration. By this I mean that they do not have a static IP, they are using NAT, and they are connecting to the gateway by ethernet. As we become more familiar with this new equipment, more complex configurations will be covered.

The box the gateway comes in contains severl color coded bags, each containing different equipment. It also contains detailed instructions for physically connecting the gateway to your computers, and a CD which provides the Installation Buddy software. (Feel free to snicker at that name, but it is actually helpful).

It is probably best if you do not open the individual bags until you have read the instructions. The first set of instructions is a small pamphlet with a black stripe on the top, labeled "Quick Start Guide (DSL Gateway)". These are the instructions for physically setting up the gateway.

At the end of this pamphlet, you are instructed to get the colored bag, yellow (if you are connecting with Ethernet or purple (if you are connecting with USB). Right now, this document only covers connecting by Ethernet. If you have an Ethernet card installed in your computer already, proceed to opening the yellow bag. If you do not, the green bag contains an ethernet card and instructions for installing it.

The instructions in the yellow pamphlet are good up until heading 3, "Configuring the DSL Gateway." The instructions in heading 3 are not bad, the problem is that steps have been left out. You must configure your computer to have an IP address in the same range as the IP address of the gateway. This information is left out in the pamphlet. The pamphlet also does not state what the default IP of the gateway is.

The default IP of the gateway is 192.168.0.1, with a subnet mask of 255.255.255.0. The easiest way to configure your computer to have an appropriate IP address and subnet mask is to use DHCP. Configure your operating system to use DHCP (might be refered to as obtaining an IP address dynamically). Depending on your operating system, you might have to reboot after making this change. That procedure is outside the scope of this document.

You can also configure the IP and subnet mask of your computer statically. That procedure is outside the scope of this document.

At this point, if you are not using Windows as your operating system, skip to the section labeled, Non-Windows Instructions.

Windows Specific Instructions

---

1. Once your Windows computer is configured with an appropriate IP address, insert the CD that comes with the gateway. The "Installation Buddy" software will start, and install an icon on your desktop titled "Run DSL Setup". This is where heading 3 in the yellow pamphlet picks up. If you have done the above correctly, you will get the congratulations screen shown under heading 3, in step 1. Click NEXT.
2. Under "Please select ISP protocol", choose PPPoa. Click NEXT.
3. In step 3, input your SWCP username and password. Click NEXT.
4. In step 4, choose "Dynamic IP (DHCP). Note: This has nothing to do with whether your computer is using DHCP. Click NEXT.
5. In step 5, simply click NEXT, because this is being assigned dynamically.
6. In step 6, click FINISH.

Non-Windows Instructions

---

1. Fire up a web browser, and point it to http://192.168.0.1, which is the address of the gateway. You will get the main menu for the web interface to the gateway. Click "Setup/Configuration".
2. On the left there is a sidebar with the heading "Basic Setup." Click "Non-Windows Setup".
3. The first section of this page is headed "ISP Protocol". Choose PPPoA and input your SWCP username and password.
4. The next section is headed "IP Configuration." Click "Dynamic."
5. The next section is headed "DNS Configuration." Click "Dynamic."
6. Click the button "Save and Restart." You are now done.