Re: How to connect router to modem/router?

On 18/04/11 13:06, Jim Beard wrote:
> On 04/18/2011 02:09 AM, Len Lawrence wrote:
>>
>> It is a standard four port router with a WAN connection and
>> wireless access. My understanding is that any standard router can
>> be connected to any other using a WAN to LAN connection.
>
> This implies that the Buffalo uses ethernet to send its signals on to 
> the WAN device in the chain.  That does not have to be the case, and 
> if different would depend on the capabilities of the specific router 
> and the protocols it can handle.
>
> In this
>> case the Virgin Media Superhub is not a standard router but a
>> modem combined with a four port wireless router.
>
> This seems to imply the "four ports" are ethernet ports (but they 
> literally could in fact be four wireless ports or X.25 ports or 
> something else entirely).  Again, the question is precisely what are 
> the Superhub's capabilities and the protocols it can handle.  When you 
> write "port" do you mean a socket you can plug something into, or a 
> logical address used for communication between two devices?
>

>
> If the ports on the Superhub are ethernet ports, and the Superhub 
> supports the normal ethernet capabilities, you should be able to 
> connect any modem or switch supplying an ethernet transmission.
>
> Questions:  Does the Buffalo use ethernet on the WAN side?  Does the 
> Superhub have normal ethernet ports on the LAN side, or ethernet ports 
> with some capabilities disabled (the manufacturer will not disable 
> them unless required to), or something else (unlikely).
>
> If those questions cannot be answered, your question cannot be answered.
>
> FWIW, most suppliers of computer equipment will sell you a device with 
> the understanding that you will install it according to instructions 
> and if it does not work they will take the thing back and give you 
> your money back.  Recognize that when this is the deal you may be 
> handed something that someone else has already tried and returned (but 
> if the techs check it and say it works fine, it probably does).  This 
> is the definitive way to find out if something will work for you.
Yes, all the so-called ports are ethernet sockets.  And yes the WAN side 
is the same, CAT5 to the cable modem at present.  No, I do not know if 
the ethernet capabilities have been modified in the Superhub so I guess 
the only way to find out is to try it.  I do not need to extend the LAN 
so the Virgin router would do; three wired connections and anything else 
over the air.  My shiny new Buffalo would go back in its box.  I just 
hope that the Superhub is as easy to set up.

Thanks for your observations Jim.

Len