Important Note: If you're experiencing connectivity or speed problems with your Netgear router (wired or wireless) you should update your firmware. Go to the Netgear Support Site for the latest firmware.

This FAQ is for configuring a BellSouth supplied Motorola/Netopia 2210-02-1006 with popular wired and wireless Netgear DSL routers. The Netgear screen shots below are are from a very popular model and your actual menus may vary slightly, but the overall configuration and entries are the same. This initial setup is all that is needed to configure and connect your Netgear based network for FastAccess DSL. Any additional setup for features like DHCP IP ranges, port triggering, etc is out of the scope of this FAQ.

This FAQ has 3 Major sections:
Section 1 - Overview
Section 2 - Motorola/Netopia 2210 modem configuration
Section 3 - Netgear router configuration information
Section 4 - Connections and power up

Section 1 - Overview
•The best configuration for networking a router Netgear router with the Motorola 2210 is to set the 2210 to "Bridged Ethernet" mode and allow the Netgear to do the routing and DHCP functions. The 2210 is also a router with full DHCP functions and may not function correctly when connected directly to another router. Not changing the modem to Bridged Ethernet will result in double NAT'ing, increased latency, possible IP conflicts, or possibly a network that doesn't work at all.
• Before proceeding both the 2210 modem and Netgear router must be reset to default. Despite what the help desk tech tells you, resetting the modem does not put it into Bridged Mode.
• The BellSouth Installation CD and Connection Manager are not required to use this configuration.
• The Netgear Installation Wizard CD should not be used in this configuration.
•Since BellSouth assigns static IPs via your username the configurations shown are applicable to both dynamic and single static IP customers.
• You must connect the 2210 directly to the computer's NIC to make the necessary changes before you connect the router, because you will probably be unable to access the modem interface after you connect the router. The reason is that the modem interface is 192.168.1.254 which is a local IP. By default, most routers do not have the capability to route a local IP out of their WAN port (where the 2210 is connected). Additionally, they may be on completely different subnets. After you have made the changes to the 2210 you can then connect the router and configure it for use with FastAccess. There are several alternatives around this problem. One method involves extra equipment (second NIC and a hub) and major configuration changes. The second method requires you to utilize the router as a simple switch and use the 2210's PPPoE and DHCP functions. Click here for more information.
•If you encounter any problems simply reset the 2210, connect it directly to your NIC, restart your computer, log into the interface, and start over again.

Section 2 Motorola 2210 Configuration
Step 1
Verify that NIC cards (wireless or wired) are set to "Obtain IP Address Automatically". Completely power down the 2210 and the computer(s). Power up the modem and press the reset button on the back of the modem. After the modem has fully initialized connect the 2210 to the NIC and then power up the computer.

Step 2
Open a browser session and enter "192.168.1.254" in the address field to access the 2210 GUI interface.

Step 3
Enter your BellSouth Username followed by "@bellsouth.net" in the User ID field. Enter your BellSouth Password in the Password field. Re-enter your BellSouth Password in the Confirm Password field. Click on Next. Update the Auto Calender Update Configuration as desired and click Next. The modem will try to initiate a session and then return to the main menu.

Step 4
Click on Broadband DSL Line from the top menu. Click on Configure Connection from the right menu. Select "Bridged Ethernet" from the Protocol pull down. Click on Save and restart the connection at the bottom. This will automatically restart the modem and the interface will return after the changes are saved. Note: functions like NAT, DHCP, IP Passthrough, and username and password will be disabled or irrelevant and can not be selected. After the modem has restarted, power down both the computer and the modem then physically disconnect the 2210.

Section 3 - Netgear Router Information
Step 5
After the PC is powered down connect one of the router LAN ports to the computer NIC and power up the Netgear router and then the computer.

Step 6
Not all Netgear routers provide a common interface. The steps below are from the more common routers. Your actual screens may vary. Consult the Netgear Technical Support Page for your particular router setup. Netgear provides a setup wizard to help configure the router. Log in to the web based interface by typing 192.168.0.1 in your browser URL field. Enter "admin" and "password" in the Username and Password fields, respectively. Username and password are case sensitive. Click OK.



Step 7
Select No, I want to configure by myself and click Next. You will be taken to the Basic Setup Menu.

Step 8
On the Basic Setup menu select the proper settings as shown below and then click Apply.



Step 9
Enter your BellSouth Username followed by "@bellsouth.net". Enter your BellSouth Password. Enter 0 in the Idle Timeout field. Select Get Automatically from ISP. Click Apply. Click Test.



Section 4 - Connections and Power Up
Step 10
Power everything down and physically connect the 2210, wired or wireless router, and any computer(s).

Pictures by Andy Houtz

Step 11
Power up the network equipment in this order:
1) Motorola 2210 Modem (wait for DSL synch)
2) Netgear Router
3) Computer(s)
Open a browser session and go surfing!

Important Additional Information
•The 2210 has an "Internet" light that is green whenever there is an active PPPoE session initiated by the Motorola. Since you are using the Netgear to establish the PPPoE session the light will stay off. This is normal.
•You should check your tweak settings to optimize your new network. Reminder: If you are required to change your MTU, make sure that it is identical on all equipment (PCs and routers) in the network.

Andy Houtz