How to configure the NETGEAR DGN1000 wireless router for BSNL DataOne

Lazy weekends, you know how they are. Me and my equally ultra-lazy friends decid
ed to try out Counter Strike. I had been trying to convince them to play with me
over Hamachi, but they just wouldnt listen. I had been using a NETGEAR WG111 USB
adapter as a WiFi router using Connectify (if you have a Windows 7 machine, you
can use virtually any WiFi adapter as a router!). So last weekend, we were so b
ored with being bored, and we thought well give CS a shot. Boy did we have fun!
However, using a WiFi adapter as a router really is only a makeshift solution, a
nd I had been searching for reasons for buying a wireless N-router. So I do a li
ttle bit of research and finally zeroed-in on the NETGEAR DGN1000. I ordered it
on eBay and got it delivered 2 days later. Sadly, they packaged a little frustra
tion along with the router.
The not so smart Smart Wizard
Being the geek, I tried manually configuring it at first by logging into the adm
in console, which didnt work. I tried giving the accompanying CD a shot. It had a
configuration wizard, dubbed Smart Wizard. It tried to auto-detect the settings b
ut failed miserably. But fret not, fellow earthlings. After a lot of trial-and-e
rror, I managed to properly configure it, and Ive been happily surfing the net, s
eeding Dexters Laboratory and hotspotting for over 2 days without a hitch. Heres t
he full settings.
Working configuration
Log in to the routers admin page by opening your browser and navigating to 192.16
8.0.1, with the username admin and default password password. You can safely can
cel the firmware update check and do it at a later point of time. Now click on B
asic Settings.
Basic Settings
Does you internet connection require a login? Yes
Encapsulation: PPPoE (PPP over Ethernet)
Login: <your BSNL login username>
Password: <your BSNL login password>
Service name: <ignore>
Internet IP address: Get dynamically from ISP (or if you had obtained a static I
P from BSNL on request, you can enter it here)
Primary DNS: 218.248.255.145
Secondary DNS: 218.248.255.146
NAT: Enable
Note: For the DNS fields, please use the DNS IPs that was provided to you initia
lly. If you cannot access certain websites over WiFi, it is most certainly becau
se of wrong DNS addresses. If you are not sure of your old DNS addresses, try th
e IPs 8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4
Now click on Apply and wait for a moment while the page refreshes with the updat
ed settings. Then click on ADSL Settings.
ADSL Settings
Multiplexing Method: LLC-Based
VPI: 0
VCI: 35
DSL Mode: Auto (Multi-Mode)
Now click on Apply and after the settings are updated, click on Wireless Setting
s.
Wireless Settings
Name (SSID): <Any name you want> (This is the name that will be broadcasted by y
our router and seen by all WiFi-enabled devices in range)
Region: Asia
Channel: 11 (You can change this to some other value, if you notice interference
with other wireless or radio-based devices in the vicinity)
Mode: g & b or 150 Mbps, anything that works for all your devices.
Allow broadcast of Name (SSID): Check
Security Options: The safest option would be WPA2-PSK. Select this option and en
ter a key, preferably a long one, with alphabets, numbers and special characters
. After your full setup is done, try connecting your devices to the router. Lapt
ops, especially with Vista Home edition, are known to be having difficulty conne
cting to the DGN1000 with WPA2-PSK, or even WPA-PSK, for that matter. If you can
not connect, change the security to WEP. After selecting WEP, enter a key that i
s exactly 10 characters in length.
Now click on Apply and after the settings are updated, move to LAN Settings.
LAN Settings
IP Address: 192.168.0.1
IP Subnet Mask: 255.255.255.0
Use Router as DHCP Server: Check
Starting IP Address: 192.168.0.2
Ending IP Address: 192.168.0.254
Apply the settings. Once the LEDs on the front of the router are stable, check i
f you are able to connect to the internet. Then check for wireless connectivity.
You should be good to go! And always, always remember to backup your settings b
efore you decide to change something!