How to configure a Cisco-Linksys Router to use PPPoE

You may find that the best VoIP setup is to bridge your DSL modem and use your router to authenticate the PPPoE connection. 

The first step in configuring the Cisco-Linksys router to use PPPoE would be to connect the Ethernet cable directly from the computer to one of the numbered Ethernet ports in the Cisco-Linksys Router.  Then power up the Cisco-Linksys router and then power up the computer.  (These screenshots are taken from a specific model of Cisco/Linksys router and should lead you through most other similar versions of these routers without much difficulty.  After the computer has opened to it�s desktop, double click on Internet Explorer and let it completely open.  It may display �Page cannot be Displayed�, but that is all right.  Type the following address into the address bar of Internet Explorer http://192.168.1.1 and click on go.

A box requesting a user name and password prompt will appear.  Leave the user name field blank (empty), and type in admin (lowercase) for the password.

A Setup page should display in Internet Explorer.  In the section labeled Internet Connection Type, or WAN Connection Type select the PPPoE option from the drop down list.

Once PPPoE is selected, enter your PPPoE DSL username and password provided by your Internet Service Provider into the router�s User Name and Password fields.  Backspace over the password field making sure you start from the very beginning of the field and use the correct case.  Your username format can vary from so you will need to know exactly how the complete username should be entered. If you are in doubt, your ISP should be able to verify the correct name, format and password.

Un-power all devices and your PC.
Connect an Ethernet cable from the DSL modem to the Internet port of the Linksys router.  Keep the Ethernet cable from the computer connected directly to the Linksys router.  Power on the DSL modem, waiting until it has had an opportunity to resync with the DSL provider.  Observe the indicator lights located on the modem and wait for the lights to stop blinking.  A light indicating Power as well as DSL (or Internet, Online, Ready, etc.) should become solid to indicate that a connection to your Internet Service Provider has been established.  Next you should power up the Linksys router waiting about 15 seconds before turning on your computer.

The following steps can be taken to check that your connection to your Internet Service Provider is established.

Log back into the Cisco-Linksys router following the same procedure as above.
After the Cisco-Linksys Internal pages have displayed, click on the Status tab.  Once on this page look for the Internet IP Address.  You should see a valid public IP address, in most cases this address should be a public IP address. (You should not see 0.0.0.0)

Once on the Status page, you should see for a section labeled Login Status (or PPPoE Status depending on router model and firmware version).  This will indicate the status of the connection. 
The following statuses may appear:

• Connecting:  If the status repeats with Connecting, your Cisco Linksys Router is having problems connecting to your Internet Service provider.  Repeat the Power Cycle and try again.  Be sure to check for solid status and activity lights on the modem and the Internet light on the router.  If this light does not turn on or does not display any activity, try using different network cables and then power cycle all devices to try again.
• Disconnected:  If the status shows Disconnected, your Cisco Linksys Router was not able to establish a connection to your Internet Service provider. Repeat the Power Cycle and try again. Be sure to check for solid status and activity lights on the modem and the Internet light (or WAN lights) on the router.  If these lights do not turn on or do not display any activity, try using different network cables, power cycle all devices to try again.
• Connected:  If the status is Connected, your Cisco-Linksys Router successfully established a connection to your Internet Service provider and you should be able to connect to the Internet.