I have a buffalo router and a Linksys VOIP (which also has a DHCP router built in, usually nothing attached to it). I had some issues with VOIP, so now I put the Linksys to the cable modem and plugged the buffalo router into the Linksys. (before it was the other way around) The VOIP works great, and so does everything, but I noticed that my powerbook (even though it is connected to the buffalo wireless router) has an IP assigned by the Linksys router. Isn't that weird? the buffalo router seems to be more of a dumb switch in this case.

BEFORE:

cable modem -(wire)-> Buffalo -(wireless)->Powerbook.
=================== -(wire)->Linksys

IP (powerbook) is assigned by the Buffalo. This seems normal to me.



NOW:

cable modem -(wire)-> Linksys -(wire)-> Buffalo -(wireless) -> Powerbook.

IP (powerbook) is assigned by Linksys.

is this normal?

Do you have DHCP turned on for both routers? I would turn it off for the Buffalo router if it is on and let the Linksys assign IP addresses for the network.

Have you considered turning DHCP off on the Buffalo router?

I seem to be a minute or two behind today.

And you should be turning of NAT too on the Buffalo, and connecting a LAN port of the LinkSys to a LAN port of the Buffalo, and nothing should be connected to the Buffalo WAN port.

This makes the Buffalo just act like a wireless access point, and all of the actual routing is occurring in the LinkSys.

wow, LAN to LAN you say? I never tried that. Now I have the LAN of Linksys connected into the WAN of the Buffalo.

My ultimate goal would be to learn how to setup buffalo (or any other router) to allow proper access to the two VOIP boxes which I would like mounted downstream.

At this point I have the cable modem into WAN of Linksys, then LAN goes into WAN of buffalo, from where the signal goes wireless to several laptops and LAN to WAN of a second VOIP box (Packet8).

I would like to be able to put the buffalo right after the cable modem, and then split the signal wirelessly to laptops and via LAN to VOIP boxes. All works well, except the Linksys has trouble with NAT and gizmo does not work so well.

I will play with different scenarios later in the week.

But it never occurred to me to connect the LAN form linksys to LAN of the buffalo. Than in turn leaves only 3 ports available on the buffalo, which might lead to problems in the future (if I get a network printer).

Do I need a crossover cable to connect LAN to LAN?

I know the Apple laptops are smart enough to switch the wires in the card itself, but I am not sure about these routers.

Thanks

"Do I need a crossover cable to connect LAN to LAN?"

No.

many VoIP gizmos support two phones.

if you want the buffalo to be "in charge" then i highly recommend installing the dd-wrt firmware which allows for packet priority which works quite well for VoIP. this is how i'm set up.

>>Than in turn leaves only 3 ports available on the buffalo, which might lead to problems in the future (if I get a network printer).

then you get a switch.

you definitely want the lan-lan setup

---

Daisy Daisy, give me an IP do.
I'm half duplex all for the LAN of you.
It won't be network risk though
I can't afford a Cisco.
But you'll sure jet upon the net
With a router chain built for two!

LOL!!!