Solved How to have three computers on the same network

[keyboardface]

I'm clueless here...

Computer 1 is plugged into the modem via ethernet.

Computers 2 and 3 connect to a router via WiFi, which is then connected to the modem via ethernet.

How do I get all three computers on the same network so they can share files between each other?

 

[Britton30]

What OS do all the PCs have?

 

[keyboardface]

Windows 8 on Comp 1, Windows 7 on 2 and 3.

 

[Britton30]

Oh, I don't use Win8, does it have Home Group like w7? That's how I have my network setup. I created the Home Group on Comp 1, then joined it with Comp 2 and a printer wirelessly. The Home group setup will ask what you want to share.
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/43961-homegroup-create.html

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/43972-homegroup-add-computer-join.html

 

[keyboardface]

Comp 1 and Comp 2 (let's ignore Comp 3 for now, it isn't important) aren't on the same network though, so they can't join the same homegroup.

 

[Shadowjk]

Is there a specific need to have Comp 1 connected to the modem? Typically home routers will have at least 4 ethernet ports on them with one going to the modem. Since Comp 2 & 3 are using Wireless you should have available ports on your router to connect comp 1

May I also add that if your computer is connected to the router then you will receive a much greater security benefit since the router itself will typically have a firewall whereas a modem doesn't.

This tutorial should show you how to create a share for everyone on the network to access - http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/24232-sharing-permissions.html

Please note that the above tutorial may not work depending on the capabilities of your modem.

Could you also follow this tutorial on both comp 1 and 2 so that we can see if your ip configuration is setup to allow sharing - http://www.sevenforums.com/network-sharing/144365-network-posting-tips.html

Hope This Helps,
Josh!

 

[keyboardface]

When I say 'modem' I actually mean one of these:

dg834gt

And when I say 'router' I mean one of these:

Netgear WNR2000 Wireless-N Router: Amazon.co.uk: Computers & Accessories

So they're both routers actually, not sure why I said modem.

Comp 2 and 3 connect to that lower router via WiFi because they're too far away to get a good signal to connect to the one next to Comp 1.

 

[Shadowjk]

Ahh, that makes more sense now... Typically a modem can only service one client which slightly confused me since you had two connections to the modem

As stated in the previous post please complete the tutorial on comp 1 and 2 so I can see if your IP configurations are set up appropriately - http://www.sevenforums.com/network-sharing/144365-network-posting-tips.html

peer to peer sharing is only limited to one LAN/broadcast domain. If you have two different networks then sharing of files won't happen. Can I ask what router is currently acting as the DHCP server?

I can show you how to merge both separate LANs into one network if you wish.

Josh

 

[keyboardface]

Let's ignore comp 3 for now.

 

[keyboardface]

I'll have to get back to you on this, Comp 1 being used all weekend. Thanks for the help so far.

 

[Shadowjk]

No worries, post the configuration whenever you can and we will do our best to offer a solution

Josh!

 

[Britton30]

Comp 1 and Comp 2 (let's ignore Comp 3 for now, it isn't important) aren't on the same network though, so they can't join the same homegroup.

Sorry, you've lost me here. I thought you were trying to get them on the same network.

 

[chev65]

I'm clueless here...

Computer 1 is plugged into the modem via ethernet.

Computers 2 and 3 connect to a router via WiFi, which is then connected to the modem via ethernet.

How do I get all three computers on the same network so they can share files between each other?

Two routers means you need to turn OFF DHCP on the secondary router. The first router will be handing out IP's through DHCP. Ethernet and WiFi makes no difference, they will all be on the same subnet/network.

It's also important that you use only the LAN port on the secondary router. Plug one of the first routers LAN ports into a LAN port on the secondary router. Do not use the WAN port on the secondary router.

Remember that once the secondary router picks up an IP from the first router, you will then need to access the secondary router through it's new IP which will be in the same subnet as the first router. This new IP should show up on the DHCP list of the first router.

This means that the secondary router will pick up the correct default gateway and IP in the correct subnet from the first router. This will create a common network for all machines connected to either router. After doing this you will have no problems setting up a Homegroup between all machines.

That is all there is to it.

 

[keyboardface]

I'm clueless here...

Computer 1 is plugged into the modem via ethernet.

Computers 2 and 3 connect to a router via WiFi, which is then connected to the modem via ethernet.

How do I get all three computers on the same network so they can share files between each other?

Two routers means you need to turn OFF DHCP on the secondary router. The first router will be handing out IP's through DHCP. Ethernet and WiFi makes no difference, they will all be on the same subnet/network.

It's also important that you use only the LAN port on the secondary router. Plug one of the first routers LAN ports into a LAN port on the secondary router. Do not use the WAN port on the secondary router.

Remember that once the secondary router picks up an IP from the first router, you will then need to access the secondary router through it's new IP which will be in the same subnet as the first router. This new IP should show up on the DHCP list of the first router.

This means that the secondary router will pick up the correct default gateway and IP in the correct subnet from the first router. This will create a common network for all machines connected to either router. After doing this you will have no problems setting up a Homegroup between all machines.

That is all there is to it.

When you say secondary router, which router do you mean?

 

[chev65]

I'm clueless here...

Computer 1 is plugged into the modem via ethernet.

Computers 2 and 3 connect to a router via WiFi, which is then connected to the modem via ethernet.

How do I get all three computers on the same network so they can share files between each other?

Two routers means you need to turn OFF DHCP on the secondary router. The first router will be handing out IP's through DHCP. Ethernet and WiFi makes no difference, they will all be on the same subnet/network.

It's also important that you use only the LAN port on the secondary router. Plug one of the first routers LAN ports into a LAN port on the secondary router. Do not use the WAN port on the secondary router.

Remember that once the secondary router picks up an IP from the first router, you will then need to access the secondary router through it's new IP which will be in the same subnet as the first router. This new IP should show up on the DHCP list of the first router.

This means that the secondary router will pick up the correct default gateway and IP in the correct subnet from the first router. This will create a common network for all machines connected to either router. After doing this you will have no problems setting up a Homegroup between all machines.

That is all there is to it.

When you say secondary router, which router do you mean?

In this case it's the one you are using for wireless.

The dg834gt is a modem/router so that would be the one to use as the first router which has DHCP enabled.

 

[jobeard]

the trick is how you connect router to router. From the router#1 (that connected to the modem) connect to
router#2 using a LAN slot and leave the WAN slot of that router empty. You need to disable the DHCP service in
router#2 which will then cause router#1 to make all assignments (thus creating all connections on the same tcp subnet).

Technically, this converts router#2 into a simple switch without the NAT service.

Also, if router#2 is WiFi enabled, it can still provide all WiFi support. If router#1 or the modem have wifi,
I would disable both of them.

This setup allows the creation of a single subnet, but other issues need to be addressed if
one is interested in Print/File Sharing (eg workgroup names must match).

 

[chev65]

the trick is how you connect router to router. From the router#1 (that connected to the modem) connect to
router#2 using a LAN slot and leave the WAN slot of that router empty. You need to disable the DHCP service in
router#2 which will then cause router#1 to make all assignments (thus creating all connections on the same tcp subnet).

Technically, this converts router#2 into a simple switch without the NAT service.

Also, if router#2 is WiFi enabled, it can still provide all WiFi support. If router#1 or the modem have wifi,
I would disable both of them.

This setup allows the creation of a single subnet, but other issues need to be addressed if
one is interested in Print/File Sharing (eg workgroup names must match).

Why would you repeat what I just said, best to read the reply's first maybe. The first router is actually a combo unit modem/router.

And there is no reason to disable the wireless on either of those routers. You can set them both up with the same SSID, security password etc. if desired, or create two separate A/P's "on the same subnet" with different SSID's. Depends on the situation. The modem/router combo unit only has one access point.

 

[jobeard]

Why would you repeat what I just said, best to read the reply's first maybe.

oops, obviously I didn't

 

[keyboardface]

So it seems to have worked chev65, thanks! I turned DHCP off on the secondary router and then plugged the ethernet cable into an 'ethernet' port instead of the 'internet' port and I'm now able to access Comp 1 and vice versa, as well as it's printer.

How can I remove the original network that is no longer needed? I seem to have two networks now, the new one and the original.

EDIT: It disappeared after disabling and enabling the adapter

 

[chev65]

So it seems to have worked chev65, thanks! I turned DHCP off on the secondary router and then plugged the ethernet cable into an 'ethernet' port instead of the 'internet' port and I'm now able to access Comp 1 and vice versa, as well as it's printer.

How can I remove the original network that is no longer needed? I seem to have two networks now, the new one and the original.

EDIT: It disappeared after disabling and enabling the adapter

Good enough roastbeef, you shouldn't have any problems setting up a Homegroup now.