Adding a network switch to U-Verse

**Andy** · February 9th, 2009 23:37

I just got a Blu Ray player, and I want to add a network switch to share the connection going into the U-Verse DVR in my main living room. I have 2 old Linksys WRT54G routers that I thought should be able to get the job done. One of the routers has DD WRT firmware, and the other has standard Linksys firmware. I connected the Cat5 line feeding my DVR into the ethernet port on the router and then connected both the U-Verse DVR and the Blu Ray player to the ethernet lan ports on the router. The router with the DD WRT firmware lets me view TV broadcast, but it freezes after a few minutes, and the network connection to the player fails the Blu Ray player diagnostic test. The router with the Linksys firmware does not even get TV broadcast to the tv, and it also fails the Blu Ray player network diagnostic test. Has anyone successfully done this? Do I need to change some settings on my router or U-Verse gateway? Is it even possible to do what I am attempting?

**Towen7** · February 10th, 2009 06:54

This kind of set-up is not supported by at&t but... the Uverse installers use NetGear hubs when installing more than 4 TVs (since the gateway has only 4 ports). I am not certain but I believe that your problem may be that you are using a router instead of a hub.
AT&T is also (in some markets) using an ethernet over power-line adapter that may work for you. You need at least two; one plugs into a wall outlet and your gateway, and the other plugs into a wall outet anywhere else in the home. I have tried it and it works well.

I work for at&t and will ask one of the product experts later today about what you are trying to do.

**Andy** · February 10th, 2009 08:09

Thanks, let me know what you hear!

**Towen7** · February 10th, 2009 10:49

Originally Posted by Andy

Thanks, let me know what you hear!

I have asked a few people, none of whom I would exactly call an expert but...

The installation crews use a netgear FS108 switch to do what you are describing. I am not saavy enough to know the differences between this piece of equipment and the routers you have tried.

http://www.netgear.com/Products/Swit...hes/FS108.aspx

**IrritateGuy** · February 10th, 2009 10:57

First off, you should have one router installed somewhere in your network, after the DSL Modem. That router was likely setup by the AT&T installers.

Your old routers will have an Ethernet port on them labelled "INTERNET", or something like that. Don't ever use that port. The routers should have a handful of ports labeled "LAN" (or simply with numbers over printed them) which are the stand-alone Ethernet switch ports. You should connect one of the regular switch ports on your old router to the router AT&T installed, which will then make it act only as a network switch and not as a router.

**Towen7** · February 10th, 2009 11:29

The Uverse modem and router are in the same enclosure which they refer to as a Residential Gateway.

If I understand what you are saying he should be able to use either of his routers as long as he doesn't connect them to the Internet (usually the first) port.

Right?

**IrritateGuy** · February 10th, 2009 12:01

They will be connected to the internet via the "residential gateway".

I am telling him not to use the router function of his devices. Routers are used to isolate networks from one another, as well as to connect networks to one another. Routers actually change data on the Ethernet packets, like hiding IP addresses, monitoring for attacks, and so on, and as such often prevent IP traffic intented for local use only (like sharing files between two systems) from getting through.

A switch isn't that smart. It just connects every port to every other port, and it does it very rapidly without altering the Ethernet packets. He cannot use a router, he needs a switch to grow his network and increase connectivity for local devices. All of those devices are still connected to the internet through the router in the "residential gateway" - you said it was a Netgear or D-Link device?

**Towen7** · February 10th, 2009 13:26

The "residential gateway" is just a VDSL modem with a built-in 4 port router. The ports can be connected to either a set-top-box or computer's NIC to connect to the internet as usual. When the installers need additional capacity (for example the customer requires more than 4 set-top boxes, or combination of more than 4 PCs and STBs) they use the Netgear switch that I referenced earlier.

Your explanation makes alot of sense. Thanks

**Andy** · February 10th, 2009 14:12

Ok, I see what you are saying, IG. I was doing it the way that you indicated would not work. I will try that tonight. If this saves me $30 on a new switch, I'll owe you a drink!

**Andy** · February 10th, 2009 19:11

It worked...however I can't get my Blu Ray player to connect to the network. It passes the diagnostic test, but cannot access any BD Live content. I'm gonna troubleshoot for a while, but if anyone has ideas, let me know.

Also, should I be required to change any settings on the Linksys WRT54G, or are there no configuration options when it is being used as a simple switch?