DSL Router Tech question

[ctenidae]

We just got verizon DSL, and it's pretty good. Trouble is, we have two computers hooked to it (both wireless). One is our home computer, the other is my wife's work-provided laptop. The work laptop will only connect to her work network if we turn off the DCHP on the router (Westell Versalink), but then the home system won't connect to anything. With DCHP enabled, the work computer will connect to the internet, but not the work network. This is an issue, since we got the whole wireless set up so she can work, and I can goof off. Any ideas? Is it possible to configure the router to treat each system seperately? Any help or guidance would be great.

 

[TenPeaks]

I too have Verizon DSL and use it with a desktop and wirelessly with a laptop. I'm using a Netgear router and can do exactly what you want to do. I'm not sure why you'd have to reconfigure one or the other computers to connect to the internet, but I suspect it has something to do with a firewall or the software your wife uses to connect to work.

From what little I know about routers the signal is the same no matter what computer you use. I'd look at the software each computer is using before messing with the router.

 

[Paul]

What software is she using to connect to her LAN? If your using DHCP (Which you will have to, I don't believe Verizon will allow you to use static IP routes) she will need to use some type of VPN tunnel. Cisco Blackice and VPN client is what we use to remotely connect to our LAN at work here at Verizon's much inferior competetor, SBC. Without a VPN tunnel, her LAN won't recognize the IP addy assigned by your Router.

 

[ctenidae]

She is using a Cisco VPN, but I don't know which one. Funny thing is, it's working now. I don't know if the two computers just got comfortable with each other, or if we quickly picked up a virus that makes them work together so it can be hacked that much easier. Probably the virus. DHCP is enabled, so I'm guessing the VPN set up a tunnel, and it's happy now.

 

[Paul]

Just out of curiosity, what type of authentication is used by her office?
password only, or is there some type of electronic fingerprint device (like a SecureID) ?

EFs can be rather finicky. :-?

 

[ctenidae]

Only a password is obvious, but I think there may be a random algorithm in there, too- the handshake takes a while, and I don't think it's a comm problem.
I use a SecureID for some of the systems at work. I think the worst part is keeping track of all the stupid keytags.