Router or modem?

[th3ha1og0d]

I have an issue where the DSL connection drops randomly. Usually the connection is stable, however the odd time I will loose connection. (All clients on the router, both wired AND wireless are connected to the network but are unable to browse the web.) My router, Linksys wrt54gs V7 says that it is unable to get an IP address from the DSL modem which is a speedstream 4200. The interesting thing is that while clients are unable to access the internet the DSL light on the modem is still lit, which leads me to believe the router is randomly dropping the connection.

The error that the router gives during this time is "unable to obtain IP address from PPPoE Server"

Next time I get a dropped connection I'll use one of my computers to connect directly into the modem to see if I can access the internet, but for the time being I'm confused as to why this would be happening. If anyone has any suggestions or has gone through a situation like this and can offer pointers they would be greatly appreciated. I don't want to go and waste $$ on a new router if the problem is with the modem, but at the same time if the problem is with the router itself I'll gladly by a new one to solve this problem.

 

[Lectrician]

Sounds like an issue with your isp.

The DSL light simply shows a connection to the exchange. It does not show if you are connected or authenticated to your ISP's network.

 

[th3ha1og0d]

Sounds like an issue with your isp.

The DSL light simply shows a connection to the exchange. It does not show if you are connected or authenticated to your ISP's network.

Next time it goes down I'll give them a call and ask them to run some tests before I try rebooting the router/modem.

 

[lawson_jl]

So what happens when you bypass the router when your having trouble? If a computer works plugged directly into the modem then the problem is your router and there is nothing your ISP can do. You need to trobule shoot the router and see if it just needs reset ot if it needs replaced. If the modem is flacky then your ISP should be able to help.

 

[th3ha1og0d]

So what happens when you bypass the router when your having trouble? If a computer works plugged directly into the modem then the problem is your router and there is nothing your ISP can do. You need to trobule shoot the router and see if it just needs reset ot if it needs replaced. If the modem is flacky then your ISP should be able to help.

I tried to change my setup a little bit. Before I had my router set to "PPPoE" and put the DSL username and password into the router. Now what I've done is set the router to auto instead of "PPPoE" and its working fine. Maybe it was an authentication issue with the router? At any rate, it is stable, and I suspect that was the issue all along. Thanks for the help, both of you, and I'll let you guys know if anything else comes up.