TP Link Router TD- W8960N to SonicWall TZ300

[coleys0]

Hello all

I need some help and I'm hoping you guys can provide some answers to the problem I have. So here goes. Firstly our current network setup, SBS2011, 15 computers and TP Link Router TD-W8960N BT Fibre. Last moth we were hit by Locky so we decided to step up our security and purchase an advanced security solution, we opted for the SonicWALL TZ300. So when I asked the isp tech guys about our intentions and provided them as much information as I could they said no problems all should be ok.

So the obvious problem are the cables ADSL RJ11 and SonicWALL RJ45, the SonicWALL is a piece of cake to setup to the WAN ISP if you have a RJ45. So I know it could be bridged but I cant find any options in the TP-LInk for bridge mode / options so I'm stumped there, I'm not sure if BT have put a limited firmware version on the router.

So has anybody got any suggestions or advice how can achieve putting the SonicWALL on to our network to filter the traffic, I've got some knowledge on firewalls and router but I'm no expert so any help is appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

 

[Yimman]

Even if you still have an RJ11 connection in your building the LAN side of your modem would be setup for RJ45. I found that the TD-@8960N does have a couple of options for bridging interfaces and provided a link to their user manual below.

If this not an option then dual NAT may be required. It is not ideal, but the best option until you can bridge your public IP to the firewall. Setup a private IP on X1 and private IP on the upstream interface. The dual NAT is because traffic leaving your network will translate from your internal IP to the X1 IP to your Public IP on egress.

Page 28: https://www.manualslib.com/manual/180999/Tp-Link-Td-W8960n.html?term=bridg&selected=8&page=35#manual

 

[coleys0]

Hi Yinman

Thank you for your reply, well its definitely been a learning curve but I managed to figure it out. Simple when you know how, I've not had much experience with this type of connection on a firewall and advanced settings but slowly working my way through it and learning a great deal.

Solution:

What was confusing me was the RJ11 section anyway it doesn't even come into the equation.

 

[nigelivey]

Hi Yinman

Thank you for your reply, well its definitely been a learning curve but I managed to figure it out. Simple when you know how, I've not had much experience with this type of connection on a firewall and advanced settings but slowly working my way through it and learning a great deal.

Solution:

What was confusing me was the RJ11 section anyway it doesn't even come into the equation.

BUT as stated above you now have a double NAT situation which is far from ideal.

 

[coleys0]

Unfortunately its my only option as far as I can see, as the TP-Link does not have any bridging options as pictured in the link Yinmin provided. I suspect because its an router supplied by BT that they have their own version firmware on it and not one that came from the factory.

 

[nigelivey]

Unfortunately its my only option as far as I can see, as the TP-Link does not have any ridging options as pictured in the link Yinmin provided. I suspect because its an router supplied by BT that they have their own version firmware on it and not one that came from the factory.

Do you have the option on the first router of putting 192.168.1.5 in a DMZ???

 

[coleys0]

Yes I think it does have that option.

 

[nigelivey]

Yes I think it does have that option.

That's your best bet as it will allow all traffic through to that client (second router)

 

[coleys0]

Thanks I'll give it a try, I see where you're coming from and it does sound like the better option.