The Net Gate

Follow these steps to switch a Belgacom b-box router into bridge mode:

Connect to the router and logon to the Admin interface (http://192.168.1.1):

Before changing any of the b-box settings, make a backup (Maintenance, Configuration):

Before you proceed with the changes, be aware of the following impact:

after you have applied the changes below, the b-box router will behave as an adsl-modem only, it will not provide IP-addresses and will not logon to the ISP, these functions will need to be provided by the router that you attached to the b-box; services for Belgacom TV however, will continue to be provided through the b-box

To proceed with the changes, you can follow the steps below:

Select Advanced Settings, WAN, ATM PVC in the Menu

All ATM PVCs will be shown; select VC1 (the VC with the PPPoE protocol)

Select Disable from the Protocol pull-down menu

Save your settings:

Reboot the b-box.

Here is how a Belgian ADSL connection looks like:

this is the general schema starting with the telephone line

Use the ADSL-filter for each telephone connection !

Insert the filter between the telephone socket and the telephone, the fax or the answering machine (see picture 2 and 3 below).

Note that the telephone wiring uses RJ-11 connectors.

Check out the Belgian ADSL forum for information on ADSL providers.

Optimize Firefox (3.0.x)

Firefox can be manually tweaked by typing ‘ about:config’ in the address bar and then modifying the values of the respective fields of the Firefox control panel (i.e. the page that is displayed).

However, the easier way is to use FireTune, a freeware tool that helps to fine tune network related settings of Firefox.

If that is not enough, then you may consider the Configuration Mania extension to tweak many of the advanced (and hidden) settings.

Disable or remove any unused or unnecessary plug-ins, extensions and add-ons.

To minize page load time, I recommend to install these extensions:

Flashblock (to control Flash animation)

PDF Download (to control PDF files)

While Firefox can be instaledl without (Windows) administration rights, you may encounter problems to install plug-ins. Here is some good advice to install the Flash Player plugin.

Migrate Microsoft Outlook Express 6 to Windows Mail Live

Microsoft Outlook Express (OE) is end-of-life and replaced by Windows Mail Live (WML). Moreover, Outlook Express version 6 was bundled with Internet Explorer and could not be (re-)installed as a standalone application. Hence, the need to say goodbye to this Mail Client and welcome the new version, renamed to Windows Live Mail. This freeware Mail Client can be downloaded from the Microsoft Download Center.

Migration of your messages, address book and mail accounts from OE to WML should work fine, if you upgrade on the same computer with the same Windows version installed. However, moving these data from one computer to another may be challenging. Here are some steps that you can follow to make the transition successful:

1 backup all your Outlook Express data

Follow the steps explained in my ‘Microsoft Outlook Express – Housekeeping’ post.

2 install Windows Live Mail on the source system

Indeed, install Windows Live Mail first on your ‘old’ system to migrate the messages. Once Windows Live Mail is installed, you can import the OE folders and export them into a WML format. The conversion of these data is worthwhile, since WML will create a single file for each message.

3 install Windows Live Mail on the target system

Install Windows Live Mail on your ‘new’ system.
Import the Outlook Express internet account files (‘.aif’ file) and address book (‘.wab’ file).
Import the WML formatted messages from your ‘old’ system. After the import process, you will find your folders and messages under ‘Storage Folders’, ‘Imported Folder’, ‘Local Folders’

Now you’re done and your new system uses the new Microsoft Mail Client, with your mail account(s) and access to your (old) messages and address book.

The Netgear WPN802v2 is a powerful Wireless Access Point based on RangeMax Technology, supporting Centrino®, 802.11b, 802.11g and SuperG (108 Mbit/s). Works well in combination with the Thomson SpeedTouch 510 and Philips ADSL modem/router PSTN Blue.

The default adress of the Access Point is http://192.168.0.231 (factory setting).

Works fine with Windows XP, Vista Home Premium and Windows 7.

Supports the WPA wireless clients authentication and encryption methods.

Check the ‘invalid security certificate‘ post.

The Netgear DG834v2 (and DG834G) is a combined ADSL Modem, Router and Wireless Access Point.

The default adress of the Access Point is http://192.168.0.1 (factory setting).

Works fine with Windows XP and Vista Home Premium.

Supports the WPA wireless clients authentication and encryption methods.

The Philips ADSL modem/router Belgacom b-box is a multiservice router with a Wireless Access Point, offered by Belgacom.

The default adress of the Access Point is http://192.168.1.1 (factory setting).

This modem supports the Voice-over-IP and Digital TV services.

Works fine with Windows XP and Vista Home Premium.

Supports the WPA wireless clients authentication and encryption methods:

see also Belgacom Help pages and alternative Help pages for Belgacom services

The USR5461 802.11g Wireless MAXg broadband router is good value for money and works fine with Windows XP and Vista. The print server is only supported for Windows PCs over the TCP/IP protocol (no Netbios nor IPX/SPX support).

The USR5461 Internet Sharing device offers:

• an Internet sharing of DSL connections (cable or ADSL) through Network Address Translation (NAT),
• a Firewall, with optional DMZ,
• a DHCP Server for automatic IP Address alocation,
• a Print Server over IP for an USB attached printer,
• a 10/100 Base-T switch and 802.11g Wireless MAXg LAN connections.
• Configuration management through a web interface. The default address of the USR5461 Router is http://192.168.1.1 (factory setting)

The US Robotics 8000-3 Broadband router is good value for money and works fine with PC and MAC. The print server is only supported for Windows PCs over the TCP/IP protocol (no Netbios nor IPX/SPX support).

The USR 8000-3 Internet Sharing device offers:

• an Internet sharing of DSL connections (cable or ADSL) through Network Address Translation (NAT) with a dial-up backup,
• a Firewall, with optional DMZ,
• a DHCP Server for automatic IP Address alocation,
• a Print Server over IP for a parallel attached printer,
• a 10/100 Base-T switch for up to four LAN connections.
• Configuration management through a web interface. The default address of the USR 8000 Router is http://192.168.123.254 (factory setting)

Important note: Windows users need to install the proprietary USR print driver.

SpeedTouch 510/510v4 – firmware LLT6AA4.230

• the same rules apply for the ST510, you first need the EXPERT password
• the basic ST510 comes with a graphical interface and a configuration (setup) programme
• the more advanced Firmware offers easy access to pre-defined configurations with DHCP, NAPT (Network Address Port Translation) and DNS features (e.g. Routed PPPoE – DHCP – NAPT).
• Phone Book settings may differ by country and/or ISP:
• SkyNet (Belgium): VPI 8 / VCI 35 – Wanadoo (France): VPI 8 / VCI 35
• see how the Firmware: LLT6AA4.230 GUI looks like