The DSL Connection
If you make a product, especially a hi-tech gadget or a computer device, you should write the instructions real clearly. It is quite possible that somebody like me would be using it and until I have all the information clearly written, I am bound to make mistakes.
Z and I were waiting at a signal last Friday, when we saw the advertisement on the wide plasma screen that we could save a lot by getting an ADSL connection that week. We decided that it was a good investment since both of us are online most of the time. We were passing by Jarir and we dropped in, got the card and came home. The interesting part was that neither of us were in the mood to use our head or to say it real clearly, we were not using our heads at all. There was an ‘offer’ and we had to make use of it and get that discount. It didn’t matter if we needed that product or if we had the necessary stuff to use that product but, we had to get it. It was only after we came home and turned the laptop on that Z remarks, “Err…. We brought a ADSL card but we don’t have a router!” It was 11pm and the next day was a working day. It was no use telling the other that he/she didn’t remind the other. It was both our faults and besides we weren’t using our heads. We only had to get a router. Three days later, we got the router, a Linksys device and both of us were really excited about installing it. We came home, turned on the Laptop and the PC, read the instructions and sat down to install it. Ten minutes later, all the plugs were attached and it was blinking lights but… but the computer wouldn’t recognize it. All it said was that we needed to check the cords. We tried it till midnight and then fell asleep exhausted, dreaming about fixing it the next day. The next day, right after Z came home from work we sat down again and still in vain. Finally, feeling defeated we called the customer care and told him the problem. He asked us what color the power light was and when we told him the colour he replied, “It should be green. Please connect it to 220V.” Why wasn’t it mentioned in the instructions? Everybody uses 110 here. Shouldn’t they mention the current required? Anyway, Alhamdulillah the device stopped blinking and we finally thought it would start up but… NO. The computer still didn’t recognize the device. What was the problem? It was too late again and we had to go to sleep (still dreaming of fixing it up the next day).
The next day, Z and I got busy trying to get a ticket to Jeddah. I can’t believe they couldn’t give us just two tickets! We had to, had to be there Thursday morning and no matter how hard we tried, we couldn’t get a seat. We were fed up and almost closed to depression, we needed some fresh air and so off we went to Jarir. May be we needed a splitter as most of the devices did and although neither the box nor the leaflet nor the guide said anything about it, we decided we would get it anyway. We got the splitter came home and slept. We needed to be in Jeddah by atleast noon the next day and somehow we had to make it there. Z convinced me that if we got up at 5am and got to the airport by 6am and then tried may be we could get a seat. We still had the packing to do and it was almost 2am before we slept. The next morning, we drove off to the airport reminding each other that if we got a seat before 10am, then we would fly and if we didn’t neither of us would be upset. We’d think of it as a picnic. At around 8am, we found that there was no way we were flying that day. We weren’t disappointed, Alhmadulillah and considered it a ‘picnic’. On our way back we decided to lose our way. If you are wondering how it is possible to deliberately lose your way, then let me tell you that Z can do that. It is an art, he says and deliberately doing it is more fun. You get to see the sights of a city that you never thought you would see if you took the right way. We saw Dammam in a new light. The streets that we saw had old shops and places where they sold old stuff. I am still not sure where exactly where we were but the best sight was a sign showing directions for ‘World of Skeletons’!! I never thought there was a museum where they stocked skeletons! Z corrected me by saying that they meant cars. I am still confused but amused. And I got to see a 50 tier trailer! Aysh happy.
Anyway, it was noon when we finally got home and we attached the splitter on to the phone line but that didn’t work either. The matter was left as it is till after Friday prayers. Z called up the customer care again and bless that guy for guiding us through. The instructions in the guide that came with the device were useless and wrong. That was not the way to install or configure your modem. I found this site later which is almost close to what we did. It takes ten minutes and we wasted an entire week over it. The Linksys people need to update their manual.
Here are the directions from this site. I have made a couple of changes to make it suit what we did. I hope nobody else goes through what we went through.
Set Up PPPoE DSL Connections with a Linksys Router
If you are unable to set up your Linksys Router by using one of the above options, use the steps below to manually configure your router.
NOTE: It is recommended that you print this article for offline reference.
STEP 1: Before You Begin
In order to set up your Linksys Router, be sure to first have the following:
1. A Linksys Router.
2. A DSL modem.
3. A working computer that can be wired in directly to the router for initial configuration and testing.
4. Two (2) standard Ethernet network cables. Linksys Routers come with one (1) standard network cable that you can use.
5. The PPPoE DSL username and password assigned by your Internet Service Provider. Depending on the provider, e-mail address ([email protected]). If you are not sure what your username and password are, contact your Internet Service Provider for more information.
STEP 2: Check Your Internet Connection
Before installing your Linksys Router, it is important to first verify that you can successfully access the Internet by connecting directly to your modem (without your Linksys Router installed).
1. If you are connecting for the first time, follow the instructions provided by your provider to set up your modem and computer for online access.
2. Verify that you are able to access the Internet without any problems. If you are not able to get a connection, contact your Internet Service Provider for assistance.
When you are able to access the Internet using your modem, continue to Step 3 and proceed with the installation of your Linksys Router.
STEP 3: Connect the Hardware
Follow these steps to connect your Linksys Router to your modem and computer.
1. Shut down your computer and unplug the power cords connected to your modem and Linksys Router if they are currently powered on.
2. Disconnect the network cable that connects to the back of your computer.
3. Connect the network cable that you just removed to the Internet port (or WAN port) located on the back of your Linksys Router. Your modem should now be connected to your Linksys Router.
4. Connect a second network cable back into your computer (into the same port that was disconnected in #2).
5. Connect the other end of the second network cable to one of the numbered ports located on the back of your Linksys Router (labeled 1, 2, 3, 4, etc.). Your computer should now be connected to your Linksys Router.
6. Plug the included power adapter into the router’s Power port. Then, plug the other end of the power adapter into a nearby electrical outlet to supply power to your router.
7. Turn on your computer.
Do not turn on your modem at this time. Only your router and computer should be turned on for Step 4.
STEP 4: Configure the Router
Follow these steps to configure your Linksys Router.
1. On the computer that is connected to the Linksys Router, open a web browser such as Internet Explorer or Netscape.
2. Type http://192.168.1.1 into your browser’s Address or Location bar and click Go or press the [Enter] key on your keyboard. The IP address 192.168.1.1 is the default IP address of Linksys Routers.
3. A user name and password prompt will appear. Leave the user name field blank (empty), and type in admin (lowercase) for the password. The password admin is the default password of Linksys Routers.
1. Once logged in, the router’s web-based Setup utility should load. In the section labeled Internet Connection Type, or WAN Connection Type depending on router model and firmware version, select the PPPoE option on the drop down list.
2. Once PPPoE is selected, enter your PPPoE DSL username and password provided by your Internet Service Provider into the router’s User Name and Password fields. Depending on the provider, your username format might be similar to username, vzn123456, or an e-mail address ([email protected]). If you are not sure what your username and password are, contact your Internet Service Provider for more information.
NOTE: Be sure to clear the ‘Password’ field before entering your account password.
AOL USERS: Enter in your PPPoE username as [email protected]
1. If the Keep Alive option is not selected, be sure to select it instead of the ‘Connect on Demand’ option. The ‘Keep Alive’ option will ensure that your connection stays connected even when it is not in use.
2. Scroll down to the bottom of the page and click on the Save Settings, or Apply button depending on router model, to save your changes.
OR
1. Once your changes are saved, you will be presented with a button to return or you will be returned to the previous page automatically. If prompted, press Continue to return to the router’s Setup page.
2. Close and exit the web browser.
STEP 5: Power Cycle
Follow these steps to power on and off your devices in the correct order.
1. Shut down your computer.
2. Verify that your modem is turned off (either by unplugging the power cord or by using a power switch on the modem).
3. Unplug the power cord from the back of your router and confirm that the front panel lights turn off.
At this stage, all devices (your modem, router, and computer) should be powered off.
1. Wait for about 30 seconds.
2. Plug in the modem’s power cord. If there is an additional power switch required to power on your modem, be sure to use it to apply power and turn on the modem.
3. Observe the indicator lights located on the modem and wait for the lights to stop blinking. A light indicating Power as well as DSL (or Internet, Online, Ready, etc.) should become solid to indicate a connection to your Internet Service Provider. The names of modem lights will vary depending on modem brand and model.
4. Next, plug in the router’s power cord. After a few seconds, the Internet light (or WAN lights) on the front of the router as well as additional lights on your modem should turn on to indicate a connection.
5. Turn on your computer.
STEP 6: Check the Connection
Follow these steps to check your connection to your Internet Service Provider.
1. On the computer that is connected to the Linksys Router, open a web browser such as Internet Explorer or Netscape.
2. Type http://192.168.1.1 into your browser’s Address or Location bar and click Go or press the [Enter] key on your keyboard. The IP address 192.168.1.1 is the default IP address of Linksys Routers.
3. A user name and password prompt will appear. Leave the user name field blank (empty), and type in admin (lowercase) for the password. The password admin is the default password of Linksys Routers.
4. Once logged in, the router’s web-based Setup utility should load. Click on the Status tab to load the router’s Status page.
NOTE: The location of the Status tab will vary depending on router model and firmware version:
OR
1. In the Status page, look for a section labeled Login Status (or PPPoE Status depending on router model and firmware version). This will indicate the status of the connection.
One of the following statuses may appear:
· Connecting
If the status repeats with Connecting, your Linksys Router is having problems connecting to your Internet Service provider. Repeat the ‘Power Cycle’ steps in Step 5 and try again. Be sure to check for solid status and activity lights on the modem and the Internet light (or WAN lights) on the router. If these lights do not turn on or show any activity, try using different network cables, power cycle all devices as described in Step 5, and try again.
· Disconnected
If the status shows Disconnected, your Linksys Router was not able to establish a connection to your Internet Service provider. Repeat the ‘Power Cycle’ steps in Step 5 and try again. Be sure to check for solid status and activity lights on the modem and the Internet light (or WAN lights) on the router. If these lights do not turn on or show any activity, try using different network cables, power cycle all devices as described in Step 5, and try again.
· Connected
If the status is Connected, your Linksys Router successfully established a connection to your Internet Service provider and you should be able to access the Internet ! OR
NOTE: If you are not able to access the Internet even with a Connected status, restart your computer and try to access the Internet again.
Troubleshooting
In the router’s Status page, you may be prompted with one of the following error messages:
· PPPoE Authentication Failed
The PPPoE user name and password you used is incorrect. Repeat the router configuration steps found in Step 4 and verify the spelling and/or format of your login or use another user name and password. Then, perform the ‘Power Cycle’ steps in Step 5 and try again.
· Cannot Connect to PPPoE Server
The router was unable to connect to your Internet Service Provider. Repeat the ‘Power Cycle’ steps in Step 5 and try again. Be sure to check for solid status and activity lights on the modem and the Internet (or WAN) lights on the router. If these lights do not turn on or show any activity, try using different network cables, power cycle all devices as described in Step 5, and try again.
· PPPoE LCP Negotiation Failed
The router was unable to make a connection to your Internet Service Provider. Repeat the router configuration steps found in Step 4 and verify the spelling and/or format of your login or use another user name and password. Then, perform the ‘Power Cycle’ steps in Step 5 and try again.
