Topic: How to configure a DSL Modem

[nicola.ferri]

I'm trying to configure my sme server 7.5.1 with an ADSL modem Netgear DM111P (ftp://downloads.netgear.com/files/DM111P(U)v2_UM_06Oct08.pdf)

I previously  had an ethernet modem and the server has still the same configuration:
- Operation mode: Server and Gateway
- External access mode: Server and gateway - dedicated
- Ethernet card assignment: normal
- Interface configuration: Use PPP over Ethernet (PPPoE)
- Dynamic DNS service: www.dyndns.org

but with the new modem that configuration doesn't work...

Connecting the Netgear modem directly to my laptop, with DHCP on, configuring by browser the user and password parameters, it works great. The laptop IP address is the one received from the ADSL provider, so NAT is on.

Now I believe that it should be possible and easy to connect it to sme, but I can't figure out how to do it.

Any help is highly appreciated,
Thanks,
Nicola

[janet]

nicola.ferri

Typically when SME is in server gateway mode, you need to configure tha DSL modem/router to be in bridged mode, and disable all other services that the modem/router may be configured for by default.
In effect the modem is just acting as passthrough for the data, and the SME server is doing the other functionality eg Firewall, NAT, Login client for the pppoe connection, DHCP server, as well as gateway for the rest of your network.

Connect the modem directly to a PC, & login to the administration  panel via web browser and change the configuration ie select bridged mode and disable eveything else.

Then connect back to your SME server.

Consult your modem manual for the specific procedure re doing this, but the concept described is generic to all modems/routers.

[Stefano]

Nicola, if, I guess, you are italian, please come to italian language forum too, thank you

[nicola.ferri]

mary:
thanks for your help. Do you have any suggestion about the modem to choose, I've few days to return the Netgear DM111P and it's not easy to find something that will work for sure.

Stefano:
I'm coming...

Nicola

[janet]

nicola.ferri

The spec sheet for a Netgear DM111P says it supports bridged mode, so I imagine it would work if configured appropriately. I've never used one.

I set one up a few days ago using a Netcomm NB6.
It did not work with SME when using the default factory settings, but when I changed the configuration to bridged mode and disabled all other functions, it then worked OK with SME in server gateway mode.

There are MANY other modems/routers that will work OK as long as you change the configuration eg Netcomm NB1 (which I'm using elsewhere since 2years ago), various Billion models, various DLink models, just check they support bridging (most do).

What is your problem with the Netgear you have ?

[nicola.ferri]

Solved by setting the Netgear modem in RFC2684 bridging mode, very easy now that I know it

Thank you very much for your help!
Nicola