Member Avatar for anchorjoe

Can I get some guidance on Bridging and Actiontec GT701 DSL Modem to a Linksys WR54G Wireless Router. I am currently using these items in my network and a friend suggested that I bridge the two to streamline my internet connection/communication. Ideas??? Thanks for any advice/guidance.

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  • Latest Post Latest Post by Suspishio

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Brief summary and practical checklist relevant to 's setup.

Bridging the Actiontec means turning it into a simple ADSL modem/passthrough so the Linksys becomes the device that authenticates with the ISP and performs NAT, DHCP, port‑forwarding and VPN duties. That removes a double‑NAT situation and centralizes routing features, which helps with inbound ports, VPNs and some multiplayer/gaming issues. If the WR54G is already obtaining a WAN address automatically and the network works, there is no automatic performance gain from enabling bridge mode — 's suggestion to let the router obtain its WAN IP is the simplest, often-correct approach.

How to tell which mode is active (quick checks):

  • Look at the WR54G status/WAN page. A public WAN IP (not 10.x.x.x, 172.16.x.x–172.31.x.x, or 192.168.x.x) means the modem is bridged/passthrough. A private WAN IP means the Actiontec is doing NAT and the Linksys is behind it (double NAT).
  • Useful local commands:
    Windows:   ipconfig /all
macOS/Linux:   ifconfig -a    (or)   ip addr show
Test connectivity:   ping -c 4 8.8.8.8   (Windows: ping -n 4 8.8.8.8)

If the Linksys should be the main router: back up settings, note the ISP PPPoE/username/password, enable bridge/passthrough on the Actiontec, then set the WR54G WAN to PPPoE with the ISP credentials. If the Actiontec remains the router but the Linksys is wanted only for Wi‑Fi, disable DHCP on the WR54G, connect Actiontec LAN -> Linksys LAN (not WAN), and put the WR54G on a different LAN subnet (eg. 192.168.2.1) if both routers will coexist.

Troubleshooting notes: change LAN subnets to avoid conflicts, test speeds by connecting a PC directly to each device to isolate wireless/CPU bottlenecks, and only switch to bridge mode if double‑NAT or specific routing features are required. Given the thread, leaving the current setup is reasonable unless port forwarding, VPN, or NAT issues are observed.

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Member Avatar for Suspishio

How much do you know about this stuff?

The principle to follow is that your DSL modem will be doing the up front work logging on to the ISP in either PPoE or PPoA mode.

So when you attach the WR54G you should ensure that the router's access mode is DHCP, which should be the defauly for the router.

It should then work straight away.

This is what I've done, albeit with a Draytek router and prior to that a Belkin router.

Hope that helps.

Member Avatar for anchorjoe

I probably know enough to be dangerous. I have had the Actiontec DSL modem and Linksys router connected and working for some time both wired and wirelessly. The setting you mentioned for the modem and router are configured in that way, although I am not completely sure if the modem is setup on PPoE or PPoA but it is working fine. It just happened that when this friend of mine mentioned bridging, I thought I would inquire in this forum in case I missed something since I am not completely familiar with this terminology.

Based on what you have said, it would appear that I am already there...

Member Avatar for Suspishio

It's the DHCP access mode that does the trick. It would seem to me that you've always been there and there is no improvement to be gained by changing anything.

What was your friend thinking would improve and why?

Member Avatar for anchorjoe

The impression I got from him was streamlined communication on the internet signal and less delay between the modem and the router. Personally, I think he might have been grasping since the system seemed to be running slow at the time due to processor activity.

I think I will leave the system alone since it is working. Thanks for the feedback...

Member Avatar for Suspishio

Good. Do mark the thread as solve, then.

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