Gargoyle Forum

Hi everyone...new here on the forum from Australia and hoping to learn a little more before taking the plunge.

Disclaimer: I'm starting from a low base....technically limited but willing to learn - the forum is a little intimidating - everyone seems to be so clever and knowledgeable! I am none of those things.

We want to give the kids some access to our home internet, but don't want it to be un-metered and unlimited. We need to have some control and avoid DRM violations from our ISP! Need them to get a sense of self regulation and control ( I know sooo like last century)..
So someone put us onto Gargoyle as THE ONLY option! Enabling us to set limits on data for definable periods of time to specific and multiple IP addresses /devices. Cheaper than buying a second phone line or 4g wireless internet modems ...maybe....

Not being technically brave the idea of 'flashing' (? did I get that right?) a compatible modem to support Gargoyle holds little to no interest for me (total lack of confidence in my ability to do it) so was thinking of buying a router from the Gargoyle shop (pre loaded) and ship it over...shipping appears the same for any of the routers..

Anyway, my question is one of setup...i'm looking for the eeejots (idiots) guide to setting up and configuring...(well, at leastI think I am...) to determine whether it's within my capabilities.....we're talking step one, take a shoelace in each hand here...

We have an existing wifi router - works fine - it's not my wife or me I want to meter and monitor so to avoid hassles (it ain't broke) was thinking i'd surely be able to piggy back from this existing router to the Gargoyle router using cat 5 or 6? (my current router, has spare ethernet ports) Then I'm guessing I connect to the routeron my computer via it's IP address to setup rules and permissions etc?
Sound logical ? Am I approaching this the right way?
Is there a better way?
Should a nuff nuff be attempting this stuff ?

Anyway, fingers crossed...here's hoping...
Cheers

humptey wrote:before taking the plunge.
i'm looking for the eeejots (.we're talking step one, take a shoelace in each hand
Should a nuff nuff be attempting this stuff ?
Anyway, fingers crossed...here's hoping...
Cheers

My opinion, let's say you buy a flashed router, it's not plug & play
My best advice, buy a cheap Tp-Link router like 740 or 741, iVersion 4 you can read the version outside the box, it's on one of the openings where the serial number is, white sticker black letters, I like 741 cause if the detachable antenna, about $18 dollars start to play with it, it has all the futures you need (please do not upgrade to any latest FW firmware) if you have doubts go to p-Link forum in 150Mbps Wireless Routers section ask your questions there, (log with same nick humptey) every time you get lost, with pin on the back, factory default it, and start over.
Few days later when you feel comfortable, come back, and we will lead you on the flash to Gargoyle, it's really easy, you'll be laughing after.

danymarc wrote: My opinion, let's say you buy a flashed router, it's not plug & play

Thanks for reply danymarc. Thats an alternative option...So I guess thats the question then, whether I purchase a router pre flashed or not, it's not plug and play, what's involved to make it play, and why is piggy backing an existing and working router to the flashed one not feasible/the easiest solution ?

Cheers

humptey wrote:why is piggy backing an existing and working router to the flashed one not feasible/the easiest solution ?

the more questions you ask, or search Google for answers, the more confuse you are going to be.
I advised you, with very easy and cheap solution, now its your time to take a decision.

Yes I guess you have advised. Thanks very much for the effort I guess I just don't feel very enlightened! and yes it does raise more questions.
My take outs on the advise is as follows:
-Buy a router and flash it (don't buy already flashed from Gargoyle)
-Ask the setup, config and piggy back questions on a different forum
-It's easy

Anyone else have some sage advise? Or can answer my questions?
Why not buy a router pre flashed from Gargoyle?
If a preflashed router isn't plug and play (plug it in to the existing router, access the ip address to do the set up etc), where can I find the information on how to make it work by piggy backing?

Cheers

Sorry, there is no guide for dummy for Gargoyle.

But there is a configuration guide which you probably want to read before getting your hands dirty.
http://www.gargoyle-router.com/wiki/dok ... oyle_setup

I think the better way to look at it is similar to an automobile engine.

You wouldn't buy a car and then immediately begin to drop the oil pan and pull on hoses thinking that it is the way to change the oil. There has to be some foundation to know how the inner workings all come to play and operate together. With that you would know the plug needs to be removed, the oil drained, and the filter swapped.

This would be similar to your existing home network.

Rather than the firmware and hardware inquiry. I'd focus on learning what you have existing. Learn how to assign static IP addresses, locate the MAC addresses on the devices you have on your network, swap your DNS with OpenDNS/NortonDNS to 'corral' the users, update the firmware on the existing router to a more recent version.

Essentially, learn some foundations to which you can utilize on other routers in the future (such as Gargoyle, DD-WRT, Tomato, OpenWRT, etc,.) Very similar to changing the oil on your car, or another automobile. Once you have a general idea on how it works, the better off and the more confident you'll be in approaching it.