Now that we resolved the problem of my miscommunication with the WRT54GL, I'm ready to move on (after installing dd-wrt!) and put this sucker to use.
In all the OEM docs, wikis, Usenet threads, and cave drawings I have seen on the subject they all tell me to plug my ISP's ethernet cable into the wireless router and plug any wired ethernet PCs into the ethernet ports.
What if I don't want to do that? I have a nice software firewall tweaked within an inch of its life using iptables on my Linux server, so I'd like to assign the wireless router a static IP address and plug it into my existing network switch controlled by the Linux box, like this:
[MY ISP] | [LINUX ETH1] | (iptables firewall) | [LINUX ETH0] | (wired network switch) | | | | Linksys PC PC PC . . . My laptopsMy thinking is, that will ensure that not only will iptables do all the firewall stuff before any nasties start floating through the air, but it will also ensure that only computers on my LAN subnet will even be able to talk to the Linksys.
Does that make sense, or is it an unnecessary extra layer of complication borne of my complete ignorance of wireless networking? I trust your judgement, Reb Liebermann... if you say dd-wrt's firewall is sufficient, I'll go with the standard configuration and stop obsessing over iptables.