Ralston18 :
So the network is in a work environment.
30 users with roughly 2 devices each would be 60 devices.
Who is giving the permissions? Or otherwise giving you instructions and requirements? Technology is one thing. Office politics is another....
Overall, in all fairness and honesty, I do not know enough about your circumstances and overall situation.
Meaning I have more questions intended to be productive versus accusatory. Seems that you have inherited (one way or another) a network mess.
What devices, if any, have static IP addresses assigned? E.g., Router III, the printer?
And are those static IP addresses: 1) outside of the allowed range of IP addresses being assigned by the Thompson modem/router (192.168.0.1) and 2) reserved on the Thompson modem/router via the device's various MACs?
Check the allowed DHCP IP address range on the Thompson modem/router. The range must be large enough to accommodate the 60+ devices requesting IP addresses.
[Side bar: I am also wondering if that modem/router is up to the task - deal with that as we go....]
What about the network wiring involved - Cat 5e for wired connections? Any wall ports and patch panels? Any bad connection or connections will wreak havoc. Likely to be intermittent and even more disruptive and thus harder to find. You mentioned weak wireless signals - what distances are involved?
Here are some suggestions based on what I would do:
The first thing that must be done is for you to go around to every device and make some notes regarding make/model, versions, IP's assigned (static), MACs, etc..
Visit each user to learn what devices they have and/or use. End users do not like change especially if they have some perception that what you are doing will disrupt their work (or lack thereof). Blaming the devices and network is a common method of dodging responsibility..... Use diplomacy so the users understand your objective is to improve the network's performance. Not blame them or make them work harder per se.
Check their cables and wall ports as applicable. Cat 5e cables at least and inspect the wall outlets. Replace any damaged cables with a known working cable. Ethernet wall ports should be checked to ensure the punched down wires are properly and firmly in place. Likewise for any patch panels.
You mentioned "re-wiring" so I trust that you have some understanding and experience with the physical levels involved.
Enough "homework" for the moment. For the most part my sense is that you just need some time (aka "peace and quiet") to gain an understanding of the network as it is.
And what you need to do to fix it all.
The "swamp" and "alligator" analogy seems to fit.....
Continue with the diagrams and labeling. Very important to be able to see the big picture. Fill it all in as you go.
It is not an office environment, I live in a building which includes internet service, there are around 30 apartments, and this network is supposed to supply all of them, I've been trying to fix it as it is unusable most of the day. I've been given permission by the building owners, and actually recently hired to look into it in it's entirety, what would be a great opportunity to fix this once for all, however, the building owners are an older couple, and this whole network has been unorganized-ly growing in a "just run cables around and plug them" fashion, this adds another layer of complication, I have to deal with the current responsible for the network, the husband, and, I know he won't be very welcoming of aggressive/any changes. Most of the users connect through Wi-Fi, as wired connections aren't "officially endorsed", per say, the routers are quite well distributed around, maybe even a little too much, I would say a few of them are even unnecessary.
All the router have static IP addresses, out of the DHCP range, which is currently 192.168.0.20-200, I wanted to tweak this a little bit more, however, they don't have the modem's user and password, I tried all possible default and MAC combinations with no luck.
I am also wondering if this modem can handle this many connections, as for, it is much more stable during the night, when there are exponentially less users, what would be the best way to handle this? Request another device from the ISP? Is there a way to reduce the load in the modem? There are plans to expand the network by getting another internet plan; keeping the current in the lower block, and the new for the upper block, this should help, as not only it will reduce the traffic by 50%, having two modems, as, it will require some network restructuring, however, this is likely to still take a while to happen,
if, it ever happens.
The cables seems to be all Cat 5e, but, I wasn't able to inspect all of them, I would say at least Cat 5(I hope). There are no wall ports, no panels, just, confusing, very long wires all around, some hanging, exposed to wind, sun and rain, all very cable-healthy; lots of broken connectors, what reminds me, I should buy more RJ45 terminals, many, many more…
The weak signal I mentioned earlier was for a more distant router, there is a closer one which with a little antenna adjustment rendered me a 80%-ish signal strength, usually the distance is not bigger than 10 meters clear.
As the cables don't reach the end users I should be able to handle it without having them even knowing it, but, I guess I will still need to check all the cables to all the routers, I know they "work", however I don't know how stable and/or effective they currently are, and, I should also re-crimp most of them to avoid any loose connections.
By the way, as a side note, what would be the best way to convince the owners that this network is already too big and too wide, literally(it must span more than 200m in cables already, if not more), too keep handling it like this? How to "sell" an infrastructure improvement?
Oh, another great bright side, the "heart" of the network, the modem, router I, switch I and II, are inside their living room and bedroom, making it
very accessible.
Facebook
Twitter
Instagram