Using an old BEFSR41 Lynksys router

[Rob94hawk]

I hardwired my house off the Verizon FIOS modem downstairs but I want to use my old Linksys router to split the internet for two computers in one of my rooms.

All lights are good & I can access the old router. Also the Linksys router sees both pc’s.

I just forgot how to enable the router so the computers can access the internet. Thanks!

unless I need the modem to allow the Linksys modem to access the network

 

[Solaris17]

I want to use my old Linksys router to split the internet for two computers in one of my rooms.

Can you define what you mean by this? Like do you want a totally different network? Or do you just want those machines to access the internet?

 

[Rob94hawk]

Can you define what you mean by this? Like do you want a totally different network? Or do you just want those machines to access the internet?

Want the machines to access the internet. Both PC's can access the Lynksys router. No wireless. Everything is hard wired.

Verizon Modem WAN (on first floor) -> Linksys WAN -> PC1 & PC2

The Lynksys DHCP Active IP table sees both computers. The Verizon FiOS router WAN is plugged into the Linksys WAN.

There's no firmware update. I've reset the router many times. All the lights on the router are indicating that everything is working as intended but just can't get any internet. I'm totally stumped on this one.

Maybe the Verizon WAN is the culprit. Dunno. Hope that cleared it up a bit.

 

[Solaris17]

Shut off DHCP and dns. Make sure the wan of your link sys is connected to the LAN of the box downstairs

 

[Rob94hawk]

Shut off DHCP and dns. Make sure the wan of your link sys is connected to the LAN of the box downstairs

Currently at work so I'll do the first two later.

So just to be clear, the Linksys should be plugged into one of the 4 LAN ports and not the WAN port on the modem downstairs?

To make it clearer I can post pics of the backs of both the modem and the router later.

 

[Solaris17]

Currently at work so I'll do the first two later.

So just to be clear, the Linksys should be plugged into one of the 4 LAN ports and not the WAN port on the modem downstairs?

To make it clearer I can post pics of the backs of both the modem and the router later.

Yeah why would it be connected to WAN? I mean. Which device receives service from your ISP? Your original post made it seem like this linksys is in a bed room and feeding off of the box that receives the actual outside connection.
Most setups using coax go to a modem. Your setup would look like this most likely given you have FIOS.

ISP > (WAN-In) Router (Coax/Ethernet) > (LAN-Out) > Linksys (WAN-In)

 

[newtekie1]

There are a few issues I see with this setup.

First, the Verizon FIOS router and the BEFSR41 both default to the 192.168.1.1 address. So it won't work until you change the IP address of the BEFSR41 to something else.

Second, the BEFSR41 is extremely slow. I'm not sure what speeds you are getting from Verizon, but I guarantee the BEFSR41 will limit you. Heck, IIRC, it's only got 100Mb/s ports on it. But it can only do about 20Mb/s between the WAN and LAN sides.

Third, the BEFSR41 is extremely insecure. The firmware is so old, and Linksys hasn't supported it in so long, it is full of security vulnerabilities. Not that this matters a whole lot, since it is behind the FIOS router.

Forth, you could disable DHCP on the BEFSR41 and use it as just a network switch. But, again, those 100Mbps ports are likely going to limit your speed.

Conclusion: Go buy a 5-port Gigabit switch. Their like $15. It will be plug and play, no configuration or hassle needed. You won't be double NATed, or have to worry about conflicting subnets.

 

[Rob94hawk]

There are a few issues I see with this setup.

First, the Verizon FIOS router and the BEFSR41 both default to the 192.168.1.1 address. So it won't work until you change the IP address of the BEFSR41 to something else.

Second, the BEFSR41 is extremely slow. I'm not sure what speeds you are getting from Verizon, but I guarantee the BEFSR41 will limit you. Heck, IIRC, it's only got 100Mb/s ports on it. But it can only do about 20Mb/s between the WAN and LAN sides.

Third, the BEFSR41 is extremely insecure. The firmware is so old, and Linksys hasn't supported it in so long, it is full of security vulnerabilities. Not that this matters a whole lot, since it is behind the FIOS router.

Forth, you could disable DHCP on the BEFSR41 and use it as just a network switch. But, again, those 100Mbps ports are likely going to limit your speed.

Conclusion: Go buy a 5-port Gigabit switch. Their like $15. It will be plug and play, no configuration or hassle needed. You won't be double NATed, or have to worry about conflicting subnets.

Yeah I know it's slow. Was just using what I had stored away . Free is free right?

My son is stranded home doing his courses online so I wanted to get him off wifi and have no wifi hiccups. You don't need much speed for Zoom.

But if that Netgear you linked is just plug and play I'm totally down with that! Thanks!

 

[Solaris17]

Yeah I know it's slow. Was just using what I had stored away . Free is free right?

My son is stranded home doing his courses online so I wanted to get him off wifi and have no wifi hiccups. You don't need much speed for Zoom.

But if that Netgear you linked is just plug and play I'm totally down with that! Thanks!

yes, a small switch will solve this much much faster. LAN to that switch from your other router, no config required.

 

[Rob94hawk]

yes, a small switch will solve this much much faster. LAN to that switch from your other router, no config required.

Well I got the old Linksys router working! This whole time I had it wired wrong! I changed the IP address, disabled DHCP, I plugged it in LAN to LAN (LAN to WAN was wrong to do!) and BOOM!

60 Mbps download/ 55 Mbps upload!! Not too bad for an outdated switch!

Thanks for your help guys!