WRT54GS relocated from US to Switzerland

[fpavich]

Hi,

I have an old WRT54GS (version 1) that I've used in the States and have now taken with me to Switzerland.  I'm having a difficult time getting it to work over here.  I've reset it several times and gone through the set up, I've updated the firmware, reset it again but stil no luck.  I've followed several tutorials on how to reset the system but I think I've finally hit a wall.

My computer connects fine to the internet when wired to the internet router, but no luck with a wireless connection to the Linksys router or even when hard wired to the Linksys

Could it be that it just won't work overseas?  I can't imaging that to be the case but you never know. 

Any assistance would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!!

[gv]

Is it possible that your modem is a router?

[fpavich]

Its a Motorola 7340-44 VDSL2 gateway:

http://mediacenter.motorola.com/ImageLibrary/Detail.aspx?MediaDetailsID=700

[gv]

It's a router which also uses 192.168.1.* IP addresses like your WRT. You can't connect the WRT without reconfiguration directly to the Motorola.

You have two options:

1. You reconfigure your Motorola into "bridge" mode. In bridge mode it operates like a standard modem would do. You then configure PPPoE (if your ISP uses PPPoE) on the WRT and have a direct internet connection on the WRT.

2. You use the Motorola as your internet router and use the WRT as simple wireless access point and ethernet switch. For this, you wire a single computer to the WRT while it is not connected to the Motorola. Open the web interface of the WRT at http://192.168.1.1/ On the main setup page, change the LAN IP address from 192.168.1.1 to 192.168.1.2 and disable the DHCP server. Save settings. Disconnect the computer. Wire one of the numbered LAN ports to the Motorola. Now you can use the wireless and the remaining 3 LAN ports on the WRT for network devices.

[fpavich]

Wow!!  You make it all look so easy!!  That did it!!  Thanks so much!!! 

I just have one remaining issue that I wonder if you can help me with: 

For some reason, I seem to be havng trouble adding security to the wireless network.  At 192.168.1.2, I went into "wireless" and named the wireless network, set the network mode as mixed and set it to channel 11.  Then I went into "wireless security" and chose a 10-digit password.  However, my network's name in the wireless network name drop down list doesn not have a "lock" symbol next to it (I'm on a Mac).  Does that mean that it is curently open and unlocked for anyone to use?

Thank you so much!!!

[gv · Accepted solution]

1. Use WPA2 Personal with AES and a strong passphrase. WEP is not secure anymore.

2. After you set the wireless security it should appear as secure. Try to press the Option key while clicking on the Airport icon to see extended information on the SSIDs in range...

[fpavich]

You are truly my hero!!  Thank you sooooooo very much!!!!!!!!