Separate ADSL Modem & Router-Do I Configure Both?

macman

I'm on an ADSL service and switching from an ISP-supplied modem/router to a separate modem and router (the reason being that I want to use the DD-WRT firmware on the wireless router, which lacks a modem).
Slightly confused by what I need to configure. I've set up the ISP connections and the wireless security details on the router, but do I also need to configure the same ISP info on the modem too? Or does it just plug in as a 'dumb' modem and the router then controls the two devices and tells it how to connect?

espresso

The ISP connection details need to be configured in the stand alone modem which will then connect via Ethernet to your wireless router. No such thing as a 'dumb' modem!

macman

Only a dumb user...
So do I not need to configure the ISP connection details in the wireless router (only the wireless security etc)?
Or the ISP conection details in both?

espresso

Only the modem will establish connection with the ISP, so connection details are only configured in the modem. Surprised that you have not given specific model numbers etc.

macman

It's a Linksys WRT54GL router, TP-Link TD-8616 modem.
I was trying to establish the basic principle, no issue with the particular set up on each model-at least not yet!

espresso

Well the Linksys WRT54GL router is a DSL router, so no ISP configuration is possible!

macman

It's a cable router (i.e no. ADSL modem included).
I haven't gone right into the DD-WRT firmware set up screens yet so don't know what the options are.

espresso

You don't need to go into the DD-WRT firmware set up screens.

Common sense tells you that as it's only input is an Ethernet connection there can be no ISP connection parameters to configure in the router.

Agreed dumb user!

Notmyrealname

macman wrote: »

(the reason being that I want to use the DD-WRT firmware on the wireless router, which lacks a modem).

Why? What fantastic improvement do you think you'll see?

macman

Notmyrealname wrote: »

Why? What fantastic improvement do you think you'll see?

Quite possibly none whatsoever. Call it idle curiosity...
Having said that, the option to boost the signal strength in DD-WRT was an attraction, as the existing o2 Thomson ADSL router struggles to deliver a decent signal throughout the house-and it's not that big.

Notmyrealname

macman wrote: »

Quite possibly none whatsoever. Call it idle curiosity...
Having said that, the option to boost the signal strength in DD-WRT was an attraction, as the existing o2 Thomson ADSL router struggles to deliver a decent signal throughout the house-and it's not that big.

How will it boost the signal strength? That is limited by the hardware. And boosting the signal above the original spec usually causes IMD issues which can effect other wifi networks within range. Also the amount of boost you'd be able to achieve is so small as to be inconsequential. If you double the output that is only a 3dB improvement which is barely not worth bothering with.

Also its not the size of house that matters so much as the construction materials. Thick walls, aluminium lined plasterboard all kill wifi.