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Networking solution advice Expand / Collapse
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Posted 28/08/2008 18:43:32


Pentium

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Ok so here is the problem.

I want to setup 2 networks.

The first is in place and consists of a wireless router (downstairs) to which I and my parents (and brother) connect.

All very well and good.

However the wireless on my 2 laptops keeps dropping ansd recently on my main rig it has been bad too grr On top of that I am fed up of my parents turning off the routers to *save power* which downs the whole network (and access to my NAS).

So here is the plan.

I want to put in a wired (possibly with wireless capability) network for my PC's (they are all in the same room at the minute). This will keep things *up* for me and allow my parents to power save when they really want

However I'm a bit stumped on the hardware front.

Ok I can get a managed router (or a switch and set up a pc as a DNS/DHCP for the network - not my ideal solution). But what I ideally want is a device that routes my network AND connects to the wireless internet network as well when that is on. I cant find a device to do it grrrrr am I being stupid.

All I want is a network device that I can wire about 10 PC's too and that will also connect to a second wireless network - does this not exist?

Advise me oh networking gods

Cheers,
Tom
My Crime is that of curiosity, my crime is that of outsmarting you
Post #307878
Posted 28/08/2008 19:07:52


Pentium

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10 lol

how about a home-plug pair and a switch?

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Post #307883
Posted 28/08/2008 19:43:10


Pentium

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could do.. but it needs DHCP as well.

Actually that could be a good solution. I'll have a think

Cheers,
Tom
My Crime is that of curiosity, my crime is that of outsmarting you
Post #307899
Posted 28/08/2008 23:35:51


Santa Pig

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Keep it simple and don't add another router, therein lies madness
Well actually only if you want to do any port forwarding to anything behind router two or get PCs in subnet 1 (downstairs) talking in any way to subnet 2 (upstairs).

Here's what I'd do.
Wireless bridge (or homeplug link) to downstairs network attached to a suitably large switch -16 port?
WAP to provide wireless network upstairs.
Forget DHCP upstairs  - it's not too difficult but I've been trying to work out how to do DNS (they need to go hand in glove) and I can't think of a sensible solution as the routers DNS is likely to be a bit dumb. I don't think you're going to be able to zone it properly and you have to keep a DNS service on the router anyway you look at it.
EDIT - don't forget you don't want two DHCP servers on the same subnet.

That means fixed IPs upstairs (so the loss of DHCP doesn't matter) and either entries in the local PCs lmhosts and / or hosts file, or just refer to everything by IP address rather than name (so loss of DNS doesn't matter).

Here's what I'd do, sneak downstairs and turn the router back on

Dave R

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Post #307983
Posted 29/08/2008 07:52:36
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How about even more simple - just talk to your parents and explain the problem, maybe the wireless router needs repositioning to give you a better signal. If all that fails use homeplug and a switch as suggested by ricedq.
Post #308006
Posted 29/08/2008 11:43:41


Pentium

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Hmm ok points taken...

Having 2 DHCP's doesn't worry me too much: the solution I am using as of the moment is to have my mAtx PC (supposed ot be a media centre ) set up as a server which *bridges* the gap. But it is not the best solution as I can't really leave it on 24/7. I was really looking for an integrated box that did the same thing (so it's 2 separate networks and hence thew DHCP doesn't matter )

I never thought of static IP's! Can't think why: it's an ace idea That seems like the best solution then because I have a wireless bridge that my bro uses to get the signal to his room.

Possibly I have a 16 port switch too (have to dig around though) - so I might be sorted with that!

Thanks for all the advice guys!

(heh and talking to my parents is not a good option: bearing in mind it took me 3 years to convince them of the need for a router ... god i hate living back @ home )

Cheers,
Tom
My Crime is that of curiosity, my crime is that of outsmarting you
Post #308035
Posted 30/08/2008 23:40:40


Pentium

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i just got home plug

so have set up the same set up (ish i think)

only problem is things on the 'upstairs' router cant see thing things on the 'downstairs' router (same both ways nothing ) but i have prob done something wrong

-------------------------------------------------------------------
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CPU: core2duo E4300 1.8GHz (@2.6GHz), RAM: 2GB corsair XMS2, Gcard: Geforce 7900GS 256MB, Mboard:ASROCK4CoreDual-SATA2, HDD: 1 X 500GB 2X250GB, Monitor:19" acer widescreen
Post #308291
Posted 30/08/2008 23:48:00


Pentium

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best options:
explain to your parents that a router uses less electricity than a light bulb, and if they switch it off, you won't help them with their PC ever again.
OR glue the switch in the "on " position

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Post #308293
Posted 31/08/2008 00:01:09