OpenDNS with Verizon Versalink 7500 with 5.01.00.02 Firmware and DHCP

[jaknays]

I have scoured the interwebs for this and this is my last shot.  Does anyone know how to configure the Verizon 7500 with FW 5.01.00.02 & DCHP, to use OpenDNS? The one page I found on Verizon said "You cannot use static DNS server settings when using DHCP mode." It may be that this is not possible? Thanks!

[smith6612]

I've found the options for setting custom DNS Servers to be lacking in many Modem/router combination units. If the Westells allowed for the configuration of some "advanced" DHCP settings, I could tell you a command to enter that would allow you to specify what servers you want to use and completely ignore those offered up by the WAN connection. For now, I assume the only way to enter in custom DNS Servers into the combination units that don't support Telnet/SSH/GUI options for changing them would be to set up the modem for Static IP. That of course requires a Business account with Verizon to do.

Your best bet unfortunately is to set up each PC individually to use OpenDNS. If the modems allow for the direct editing of the DNSMasq settings, you'd want to use this command:

dhcp-option=6, 208.67.222.222, 208.67.220.220

The above command alone will give PCs those IPs for DNS the next time they renew their DHCP lease or request a new DHCP-issued address.

[smith6612]

I stand corrected with my above post. To change the DNS servers the Westell uses, you will want to go to My Network > Network Connections > DSL Connections and edit the VC Connection you see in there. In the edit screen, you will see two DNS servers that are Verizon's. Fill in as replacement servers OpenDNS's IP addresses. Click Apply. Within a few seconds your PPPoE Connection WILL drop as the modem reloads some components in memory. Give it 20 seconds to do this (write data to flash, reload modules, etc) and then visit My Network > Network Connections and press the Connect Button for the DSL connection. PPPoE will come right back up and you'll be using OpenDNS.

[jaknays]

Thanks, Smith6612, but that will not work for me.  I am in California, and Verizon has us on DHCP i.e. Routed Bridge, not PPPoE. I had found what you suggested somewhere else, but again, with DHCP, I cannot put in DNS servers.  I tried changing the DHCP to be static IP (which is the only way to put in DNS servers), but then my connection would not work.

[dslr595148]

#1 In the router go to Advanced -> DNS Server (page 115 in the manual that is at http://westell.com/support/versalink/a90-750015-07 )

#2 This is, I believe, where you can define/set the DNS Server(s).

[Joewee]

Actually there is a way arround this using another WIFI router.  In my config I am using a Linksys WRT54G but any router should work.

1) Cabling will connect from any port on the Verizon 7500 router/ modem to the internet port on the other router. In the verizon modem disable the private lan and dhcp server under the advanced config.  Update the device password so the kids dont get it and reenable dhcp. 

2) Set up a Static NAT with another subnet to your other wifi router(my static nat is to: 192.168.1.200).  Verizon router runs on 192.168.1.1 , set your other router to something like 192.168.10.1.  The static nat you input on the verizon modem will be to your other router. So  your going to have to set your other router to that ip address.   

3) Setup your other router to "static ip" address configuration to the internet, mine is set to 192.168.1.200, Mask: 255.255.255.0, Gateway 192.168.1.1(the verizon modem), Static DNS will be both of your Opendns IP's(208.67.222.123 and 208.67.220.123).  Set your internal LAN up on your other router how you see fit but not on the 192.168.1.0 subnet, mine is just starting with address 192.168.10.1, Start with Local ip address: 192.168.10.1

This isnt as air tight as doing it directly on the modem but it works. These instrutions should be good enough to get  you going, good luck!