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Is this network configuration possible?

Forum General Networking : General Gateways, Routers and Firewalls - Is this network configuration possible?

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Alex_Huck   12-07-2006 at 05:51:56 AM

Hi all, I recently purchased a wireless router with a wireless network card for my desktop, with the hopes that I could set up a computer in a room which does not have any means of connecting to the internet. The current configuration looks like this
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a194/Alex_Huck/Routerbefore.jpg

What I'm hoping for is one like this:

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a194/Alex_Huck/RouterAfter.jpg

My brother tells me a router cannot be connected to another router, is this true? I am hoping I will not have to purchase a wireless card for all 4 computers, and make them all connect to a single wireless router. If it is true, that a router cannot be connected to another, is there some other method I could take to get a similar result, for example, are there wireless transmitters, which simply transfer the data wirelessly nothing more?

-Edit made text into images, as the formatting (Indentation and such) got messed up

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Iceblue   12-07-2006 at 06:57:05 AM
- 0 +

Quote :

My brother tells me a router cannot be connected to another router, is this true?

No, but it does is create two separate LANs.

Quote :

I am hoping I will not have to purchase a wireless card for all 4 computers, and make them all connect to a single wireless router.

You don't have to.

Quote :

is there some other method I could take to get a similar result, for example, are there wireless transmitters, which simply transfer the data wirelessly nothing more?

Yes, they are called "access points." Chances are you can configure your wireless router to be an access point. Check the documentation. If there is not a simple "access point mode" setting, check for a setting to turn off the DHCP server; that will do the same thing. Then, check the documentation for which port to use to connect your router/access point to one of the other router's LAN ports. If it is undocumented, use one of the wireless router's LAN ports (not the WAN port).

So, in summary, you can do what you want with the equipment you have. You can either go router to router like your second pic (which would give you two independent LANs, but both would have access to the internet) , or you can configure your wireless router to be an access point, and your setup is almost the same, except you need to check the documentation for cable connections between the two routers. Unless you have some reason to want two separate LANs, I'd suggest the latter approach.

I hope my explanation was not too convoluted. If so, just ask for clarification where you need it.

Reply to Iceblue
Alex_Huck   12-08-2006 at 12:09:08 AM
- 0 +

Quote :

If there is not a simple "access point mode" setting, check for a setting to turn off the DHCP server


When I install my router through the CD it does the configuration, it comes to

"Configure Cable or DHCP Settings:

WARNING: If you are unsure of these settings, do not make any changes. Changes to below settings may disrupt the operation of your existing network"

Internet Type: (Drop down box with DHCP, PPPOE, Static IP, PPTP, L2TP, TELSTRA)"

Which should I choose, at current I have it at its default DHCP. I know I have a dynamic IP, so that rules Static IP out, PPPOE Is like a cross between dialup and cable, right? Where you need to login each time you access? I don't have that either, and I'm not sure about PPTP L2TP and TELSTRA.

-Edit- Maybe I should send some screenshots of what the configuration pages look like. It is a Linksys WRT54G

-edit2- Looking at ipconfig.exe /all when I'm not using my wireless router, and using what I've always been using since before buying the wireless equipment:
I get this information
Hostname: .x.
Primary Dns Suffix: <Blank>
Node type: Unknown
IP Routing: No
WINS Proxy Enabled: No
DNS Suffix Search List: .y.

Connection specific DNS Suffix: .y. again

Physical Address: .z.
Dhcp enabled: Yes
AutoConfig enabled: True
IP Address: .a.
Subnet Mask: .b.
Default Gateway: .c.
DHCP Server: .c. again
DNS Servers:
.d.
.e.
.f.

(Where a letter between periods is censored for security reasons)

Do I need to plug this information in somewhere to my router config page?

I should also note that I have a hardware Firewall, could that be causing interference?

-Yet another edit- Aha, I've found the disable DHCP option, and disabled it. But still no go

-Hopefully final edit:- After reading a few reviews, I think I may exchange this router for another, it seems it's not uncommon for this router to be difficult to set up. Iceblue I thank you very much for your help, hopefully the new router will be a little more newbie-friendly :)

Reply to Alex_Huck
Iceblue   12-08-2006 at 02:34:18 AM
- 0 +

Using the router as an access point usually cannot be setup with the wizards and other "helps" that come with the install CD. Just plug in the router to the wall, power it up, plug your wired computer into one of the LAN ports, plug another LAN port into one of the LAN ports on your wired router and use the manual setups on the wireless router.

On the wireless router, you want to:
Disable the DHCP server
Disable the firewall
Disable the NAT server (if that option is available)

This will turn your router into a wireless access point and ethernet switch. Your computers will still be set for dynamic IP, but they will get their IP assigned by the DHCP server in the wired router.

What model wireless router do you have?

If you are going to return it and buy something else, buy an access point instead of a router. It will be a bit more expensive, but easier to set up.

Reply to Iceblue
Alex_Huck   12-08-2006 at 06:56:34 PM
- 0 +

I just exchanged the router for a access point today, and it works excellent. Many thanks for your help, Iceblue, it's very much appreciated

Reply to Alex_Huck
Iceblue   12-08-2006 at 07:19:33 PM
- 0 +

Your quite welcome. And, as a side benefit, your brother thinks you listened to him! :lol:

Reply to Iceblue
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