On Wed, Apr 24, 2019 at 11:30:22PM -0400, D. Hugh Redelmeier via talk wrote:
I'm confused about the network topology you are describing.
Which router is "the" router? Bell's modem/router or your (non-Bell) router?
Which router is "it"?
==== Context ====
Almost all homes need NAT for IPv4, an abomination. So all home routers do NAT by default. The Bell Router will do the whole job (NAT, DHCP, WiFi).
For a variety of reasons, some of us want to use out own routers. In most cases it makes sense to set the ISP's modem/router to just act as a modem -- bridge mode.
==== End of context ====
If you put your Bell modem/router in bridge mode, how can the WiFi on Bell's modem/router be useful? Only your own router should be connected to the Bell modem.
If you actually use the Bell router functions, what do you use your own router for?
- an AP + a switch?
- double-NATting (seems like a bad idea)?
Agreed. I run my VDSL2 modem in bridged mode with it's wifi turned off (don't need more interference in the area), and then have a WRT1900ACv2 running openwrt doing all the real work. And since it is running openwrt I can install whatever service on it that I need. I used to route through a linux box 15 years ago, but whyever would I do such a thing today? One box does AP, switching, routing, PPPoE, DNS, DHCP, etc and nothing on the network is confused. Nice and simple. -- Len Sorensen