Note : This is the classic/original FAQ. For the very latest articles and new content for UK/Ireland users, please visit the Product Knowledgebase here


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Vigor2104P/2300 & Cablemodems

Setup for NTL & Telewest Blueyonder


Ethernet Interfaces

The Vigor2200E, 2104P, 2300 and 2900 routers have two Ethernet interfaces :

  1. The LAN interface (with optional 4-Port Switching hub). This 10/100BaseT interface connects to you local networked PCs. Each local PC is automatically allocated an IP address within your local private address range (default 192.168.1.1 onwards) by the router's 'DHCP Server' facility.
  2. The WAN Interface. This 10BaseT Ethernet interface connects to your Broadband feed, which in the case of a Cable line is your Cable modem which has a matching Ethernet interface. The router's WAN interface acts as a DHCP client, getting it's TCP/IP properties automatically from the Cable modem.
  3. The Web Configurator

      All aspects of the Vigor2200 router are controlled from its Web Configurator. This is an HTML (web) based interface which you access through your regular web browser. Once the router is connected to your PCs (see here), you should be able to reach the Web Configurator in your browser (MSIE/Netscape etc.) on its default IP address http://192.168.1.1

    Configuration

    Both BlueYonder and NTL's cable modem service are setup in the same way.Before starting with the router, it is important that you confirm that the line and modem work correctly when connected straight to your computer via the Ethernet cable (not USB). Confirm this before proceeding.

    The setup of the router is actually very simple in most cases. You just need to enable broadband access. From the main router menu (Web Configurator), click on Internet Access Setup and then Static or Dynamic IP in the right hand column. You can ignore all other options and menus unless you know you need them, or advised later : Click

    then

    Then set the buttons exactly as shown below :

    Once that is set correctly, you can click OK :

    Reboot the router and you should now have web access from all of your PCs. You can run test pings (see general router FAW for ping details).

    When the router connects to the modem (via the WAN socket) it should get an IP address from the modem. This will appear in the router's Online Status screen, as shown on the right, and indicates that the router is now connected to the Internet : WAN Status with cable modem


    The information onwards on this page is mostly superceded (obsolete) now as it has become easier to configure both NTL and BlueYonder services.

    Problems getting an IP Address (Blueyonder)

    When the router is connected successfully to the modem, the Online Status screen will show the IP address, as shown earlier. Note that if you don't register the router's WAN MAC address with the ISP, or they don't register it correctly, the router will not get an IP address from the modem (Online status will show no IP address on the WAN interface). In this case, you can actually set the router to assume the same IP address as the PC which was previously connected to the modem. To do this, find out that PC's MAC address (in Windows use winipcfg.exe or ipconfig.exe as shown below) and then enter that number into the router's config, under 'Specify a MAC Address' :
    Using Winipcfg.exe to determine PC NIC's MAC address


    Problems getting an IP Address (NTL)

    You will know that the router is connected to the Internet by checking the Online Status screen in the router's Web Configurator. A successful connection is shown like this :

    WAN Status with cable modem

    Sometimes, on NTL cable, you will need to release the PC's MAC address from your modem, before the model will recognise a different address (for your router). To do this, in Windows, make sure the modem is connected directly to your PC and working. Then use either winipcfg.exe (press the 'Release All' button) or use ' ipconfig.exe /release ' from the MS-Dos prompt. Then disconnect the modem from the PC and plug it into the router instead. Reboot router, modem and PC. Another method, found to have helped is, after releasing the MAC address, leaving the modem OFF for a few hours.

    If it's still not getting you connected, another method follows :


    The foolproof method :-)

    Unless your cable modem, line or other equipment is actually faulty, the following method of setup should always work, though it's a little more work than the other methods, but gets to the same result. Where we say cable modem this might be your combined set-top-box, depending on your supplier, but don't confuse your cable-modem/set-top-box with your router (Vigor) :

    1. If you have already been experimenting with the router; reset it to factory settings just to be safe. With the router turned on, press and hold the RESET button on the rear of the router until the left hand LED (labelled 'ACT') starts to flicker rapidly. Then release the button and wait until the router settles back to ACT flashing steadily. The router is now factory reset.
    2. Put the router aside for a moment (disconnect it from everything).
    3. Connect the cable-modem to the PC via the Ethernet cable and get yourself online.
    4. Note the MAC address of your PC's Network card (use winipcfg or ipconfig - see earlier)
    5. Remove the ethernet cable from the cable-modem and put it into the router
    6. Renew your PC's IP address (press 'release/renew' in Winipcfg, or ipconfig /renew. Your PC should then get a new IP address in the router's subnet (192.168.1.xxx)
    7. Go into the router's web configurator and in ISP setup, select 'Specify a MAC Address' and enter the MAC address you noted earlier, like this example :
      Using Winipcfg.exe to determine PC NIC's MAC address
      Once the MAC address is entered into the web configurator, click Okay to save those details.
    8. Connect the cable modem to the Vigor's WAN port.
    9. Turn the cable-modem off by removing the power cable (turning off the standyby button is not adequate; remove the power cable).
    10. Wait 15 minutes (this step is not always necessary, but has sometimes been found useful)
    11. Turn the cable-modem on
    12. Reboot the router (turn it off, then on again)
    13. Check the Online Status screen on the router ! If all is well, within 20-30 seconds the router will now show a WAN IP address:
      WAN Status with cable modem

    14. Vigor & Cablemodem Connectivity Troubleshooter


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