How can I stop the clashing between two routers on the same network?

[Pofadda]

Because I want to set up a hardware VoIP phone I have replaced my Buffalo AirStation WHR-HP-G54 router with a Speedtouch 716v5 VoIP (& ADSL (unused)), relegating the Buff to being the Wifi access point and just another switch while the 716 becomes the main router doing the DHCP etc.

Whenever I update and upload the 716's config file the 716 restarts - and the VoIP turns off This seems to be because, while it is off and trying to re-establish itself with the cable modem, the old Buff router takes over. The PCs can see each other, but the router is invisible and so is the Internet.

The only change to the Buff is that its DHCP is turned off. It also has my network's default base address (192.168.58.1), left that way to simplify the swapping in and out I had to do initially while puzzling how to set them up. Don't think this is significant to the problem, just a confusion.

How can I change the settings on the Buffalo (or anywhere!) to stop it locking the 716 out?

[isf]

Hi,

Not familiar with either of these models but can you not assign a fixed private (192.168.58.x) address to the buffalo's WAN interface? Does the buffalo support bridging?

[haydnwalker]

Which device is the device connected to the Cable modem? As the speedtouch (from its product datasheet) only supports ADSL and not cable.

Does the speedtouch have an "uplink" or "WAN (Internet)" port?... The picture on the datasheet is unclear but it doesn't look like there is one. So from that, the conclusion is that its only handling DHCP on the Local LAN and not getting a DHCP address from the Cable Modem to let you access the internet.

You may need a different router...?

[Kymmy]

Just turn off NAT and dhcp on the 2nd router (the wireless access port), and leave it all upto the primary (VoIP) router

Kymmy

[Pofadda]

Thank you all for your help and suggestions.

The Buffalo is the current router - I had a panic when this happened and fell back to this configuration, removing the 716 (blush, but it coincided with a rare Virgin BB outage). When I restore it I will turn off the Buff's NAT as well as the DHCP. Kymmy, will that leave it sufficiently brain-dead not to try and hijack the signal when the 716 restarts?

[Kymmy]

Should do, as NAT routes the WAN which in this case isn't needed and DHCP will give duplicate IP's...

What I would do is to also power up the wireless access point last and also make sure that you assign the LAN side of it a FIXED IP (though this will not be used apart from keeping it open for any future config)

Kymmy

[Pofadda]

Will do.

Just looked at the 4100's UI and was sort-of surprised to see a DHCP server there too. It seems not to interfere with the other DHCPs though although it's enabled. I guess the NAT is the terrorist in the woodpile.

Any recommended info source to help me get to grips with a 4100's log, other than Google?

[Pofadda]

It's all working well with the NAT and the DHCP disabled.

Many thanks for your excellent help.