Linksys BEFVP41 won't pull IP's

[GSRogers1]

I'm a newbie to VPNs, however, I have followed several threads regarding the Linksys BEFVP41 router and think I understand basic setup parameters. I'm attaching one BEFVP41 to a motorola cable modem on one end (Network A) and one BEFVP41 to a WesTel DLS modem on the other end (Network B). These VPN routers were purchased last week and have a firmware version dated 2006 which is a later version than the firmware version posted on the Linksys site, so there is no updated firmware later than the one they already have. I know I need a static IP for Network A, but don't necessarily have to have a Static for the Remote Network B. These routers can apparently pull a dynamic IP because that is one of the many connection options on the setup screen, but what I have discovered after many trials and tribulations is that while they seem to be able to pull a dynamic ip from another router ok, they don't seem to be able to pull an IP from either the Motorola Cable modem or the WesTel DSL modem, even though an existing SMC Barricade Wireless Router can on Network A and a Linksys WRT54G can on Network B. Why can existing routers pull dynamic IP addresses and the BEFVP41s can't?

A related question then becomes: can the BEFVP41's sit behind other routers? I haven't been able to get that to work either and it looks to me as if the VPN routers have to be the first device attached to the Cable/DLS modem. Is that right?

 

[brianinms]

Usually most Cable Modems / Dsl Modems only issue one ip address based on make address. Connect the Linksys to the modem and then unplug the power to the modem for 5 mins and then power it back up.

 

[GSRogers1]

I'll give that a shot. I doubt I waited a full five minutes when I reset the modem.

 

[burtsbees]

Your VPN boxes can sit behind the routers, if the routers have a VPN-Passthrough option. Sometimes there are problems if it an IPSEC tunnel, as these routers don't jive well with excluding them from NAT.

Burt