Wireless router & laptop work with Netgear DSL modem, but not with Motorola modem, why?

Question

I connected a Linksys WRT54GS wireless router to a Netgear dsl modem and connected to my laptop without a problem (without encryption).

Then I took the Linksys and my laptop to another location and connected to a Motorola dsl modem. The laptop was able to locate the wireless router in the list of wireless networks available, but could not connect to it, WHY?

Both times open connection was used (no encryption) and both modems were connected to internet provided as verified by a wired ethernet connection.

Any solution please?

Answer 1

Several possibilities come to mind...

+ The underlying DSL networks created by the Modems are different...
+ The logon to the network is different (PPPoE) parameters...

Some modem/network combinations require the PPPoE sign-on to be done by the router, and others have a built-in "mini-router" in the modem itself, so that when you attach YOUR router to it, you in effect have a cascaded router scenario...

In order to properly configure the logon and TCP/IP settings in each case you really have to know the underlying methods each modem uses and the DSL providers PPPoE setting parameters.

When you have cascaded routers, the subnets must NOT be in conflict, and the parameters are a bit tougher to configure!