Win 7 networking, switches and routers

[ksdj]

I set up a 4 node network in our office. No problems, the 4 pc's were hardwired into an 8 port switch.
We recently took possession of an office suite next to us, and we need to move a couple computers there.
We ran fast cat5 next door, from the Linksys ezxs88w switch to a 4 port linksys WRT310N wire less router.
The computer is hardwired into the router and has access to the internet. The issue is it is no longer seen on the network. Also in the near future we will be adding another computer to the network next door. this node will go from the router, to a TP-Link 8 port switch the computer will be hardwired into the switch.

Any ideas?

 

[chev65]

I set up a 4 node network in our office. No problems, the 4 pc's were hardwired into an 8 port switch.
We recently took possession of an office suite next to us, and we need to move a couple computers there.
We ran fast cat5 next door, from the Linksys ezxs88w switch to a 4 port linksys WRT310N wire less router.
The computer is hardwired into the router and has access to the internet. The issue is it is no longer seen on the network. Also in the near future we will be adding another computer to the network next door. this node will go from the router, to a TP-Link 8 port switch the computer will be hardwired into the switch.

Any ideas?

Ok on the secondary router which appears to be the WRT310N, you will need to turn off DHCP on that router and only use the LAN port on that router.

So the switch should be connected to the secondary routers LAN port, don't use the WAN/Internet port on the secondary router and turning off DHCP will allow this router to pick up an IP from the first router which is in the correct subnet. After it picks up the new IP you will be able to access the secondary router though it's new IP.

 

[ksdj]

I think I am following you, but I would like to clarify something.
I am going from "office1 switch" to "office2 router" Computer in office2 will be hardwired to router, then from office2 router, I need to go to a switch that will be located in the plant/warehouse.

 

[chev65]

I think I am following you, but I would like to clarify something.
I am going from "office1 switch" to "office2 router" Computer in office2 will be hardwired to router, then from office2 router, I need to go to a switch that will be located in the plant/warehouse.

Yes the switches don't present any problems here, turning off DHCP and using only the LAN ports on the secondary router is what matters. Just leave the WAN/Internet port unplugged on the secondary router.

The second router will eventually pick up an IP from the gateway router and you should be able to see the IP on the DHCP list of the first router, after that you can access the secondary router though it's newly assigned IP.

 

[ksdj]

I disabled the dhcp, I am still able to connect to the internet but am still unable to see the other 3 computers, nor do I see the computer that was moved.
There is no lan or wan port just 4 "Ethernet" ports with no specification to lan or wan.
(1) "internet" IN & (4) "Ethernet" out ports

 

[chev65]

I disabled the dhcp, I am still able to connect to the internet but am still unable to see the other 3 computers, nor do I see the computer that was moved.
There is no lan or wan port just 4 "Ethernet" ports with no specification to lan or wan.
(1) "internet" IN & (4) "Ethernet" out ports

All routers have an Internet or WAN port. One in and 4 out is typical. I believe you are reading more into this then is required. I'm not concerned with how the ports are labeled. You can call them Ethernet ports or LAN ports, same thing. The manufactures name them differently.

If you still can't see those machines then most likely the router isn't set up correctly. If the secondary router is set up correctly then you should be having no problems seeing the other machines on the LAN. Assuming that Network Discovery is turned on etc.

If you can post the ipconfig/all from some of these machines then I can confirm if they are all part of the same subnet or not.

 

[ksdj]

Computer#1
IPv4 - 10.1.10.1
Subnet Mask - 255.255.255.0
Default Gateway - 10.1.10.1

Computer #2
IPv4 - 10.1.10.11
Subnet Mask - 255.255.255.0
Default Gateway - 10.1.10.1

Computer#3 (DHCP disabled)
IPv4 - 192.168.1.100
Subnet Mask - 255.255.255.0
Default Gateway - 162.168.1.1

 

[chev65]

Yes you can see where Computer #3 is still using the gateway from the secondary router. This explains why it's not picking up the other networked machines.

I'll assume that you disabled DCHP on the secondary router and not the IPv4 properties of computer #3.

I believe you also mistyped the gateway of the secondary router which should be 192.168.1.1 not 162.168.1.1

With DHCP disabled it should eventually pick up an IP in the correct subnet of 10.1.10.1, which it hasn't done yet.

It can be a bit of a pain to get the secondary router to pick up the IP from the first one. Usually a reset or just unplugging the router will fix it, or there is sometimes a WPS button located on the router that will allow it to pick up the secondary one.

 

[ksdj]

I did have the cable FROM the switch TO the router plugged into the "internet" port.
I switched it to one of the 4 Ethernet ports and restarted the router and it appears to be working.

The only thing is now the internet speed seems a bit slower.

 

[chev65]

I did have the cable FROM the switch TO the router plugged into the "internet" port.
I switched it to one of the 4 Ethernet ports and restarted the router and it appears to be working.

The only thing is now the internet speed seems a bit slower.

Yes those internet or WAN ports will get you every time. Can be confusing but I knew you would figure it out.

Not so sure about the internet speed but try running some internet speeds tests and compare the results from each machine.

Often times a driver or router/firmware update will fix network speed issues.

Are you using wireless connection on any of these machines?

 

[ksdj]

No the PC's are hardwired, I want wireless option for laptops, tablets, phones, etc.

 

[chev65]

No the PC's are hardwired, I want wireless option for laptops, tablets, phones, etc.

Not sure about any network speed problems, so many different things can slow it down. It would help if all the switches were Gb capable along with the routers etc. Many older routers and switches only are 10/100mb/s and so not Gb capable.

The wireless can be set up on both routers using the same SSID or a two different ones depending on how you want it. Sometimes helps to put them on different opposing channels like 1 and 11 so the signals don't overlap, depends on how far apart they are etc.

Also use the 802.11N only setting on both routers, you only use the mixed settings if you need support for older clients that are pre wireless n, like older g clients.