I Bought a 'Switch'. Was it a mistake ?

[obvious]

My network looks like this

DLINK DGS-1005D Switch with a INEXQ HR054G AP attached to it.


There's a straight cat5 coming from the switch to the main pc and a crossover going from the switch to the AP.

My laptop has 802.11b wireless. The PC has no wireless.

I've been trying to use this kit to create a network where the wired pc doesn't need to be switched on in order for the laptop (PC1 in the picture) to be connected but where both computers can be powered up at the same time and still have net access.

My thoughts went along the lines of :-

1. Enable DHCP client on the AP so that it will grab an IP from NTL
2. Enable DHCP server on AP so that it will farm out IP's to anything connected.

but if I select "use dhcp client to automatically get IP address" then it says "selecting this option will disable your DHCP server automatically".

I've been able to get either a wireless internet connection to my laptop OR a wired internet connection to my main PC but not both at the same time.

I only have one NIC.

Any help much appreciated.

Thanks a lot
Paul

BTW, as per the Title, I'm wondering if a 'switch' wont pick up an IP from ntl and I should have bought a router instead?

[danielf]

Originally Posted by obvious

<snip>

BTW, as per the Title, I'm wondering if a 'switch' wont pick up an IP from ntl and I should have bought a router instead?

I believe that is correct (you should have bought a router), but I'm sure someone who actually knows will be around shortly.

[TheBlueRaja]

Unless your access point has an ethernet port in the back of it I cannot see how it can be done, the problem here is that NTL will only give you one IP address, and therefor you can only run one PC off the back of it.

Ideally if your AP had an ethernet port on the back of it you would just plug your switch into the AP and then run your PC2 off the switch. Your PC1 and PC2 should then get a private IP address from your AP vis DHCP on the AP and your AP should get the one NTL assigned IP address.

A router would have been a better buy, something like the Linksys WRT54G, would have been a great "all round" solution for you.

EDIT: The problem you have is that the first device that powers on will get the NTL assigned IP address, after that the other one is left wanting as NTL will only give out one - to get two you need to have a router which will act as a gateway between your Home "private" network and the Internet.

Originally Posted by obvious

My thoughts went along the lines of :-

1. Enable DHCP client on the AP so that it will grab an IP from NTL
2. Enable DHCP server on AP so that it will farm out IP's to anything connected.

but if I select "use dhcp client to automatically get IP address" then it says "selecting this option will disable your DHCP server automatically".

To get your network to work you have to have a DHCP server. If the AP has DHCP server capability, then use that for your home network. In this case the AP should not be a DHCP client.

Then point any PCs to the AP for their DHCP.

Originally Posted by obvious

BTW, as per the Title, I'm wondering if a 'switch' wont pick up an IP from ntl and I should have bought a router instead?

A switch won't pick up an IP address from anywhere - it just relays traffic.

My setup is very much like yours, except I have a Belkin router/switch - which incorporates the DHCP server - I have direct connected computers on 2 ports, and an WAP on one port.
As long as the router/switch is on the home network is up & running.

[obvious]

Originally Posted by TheBlueRaja

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Ideally if your AP had an ethernet port on the back of it you would just plug your switch into the AP and then run your PC2 off the switch. Your PC1 and PC2 should then get a private IP address from your AP vis DHCP on the AP and your AP should get the one NTL assigned IP address.
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The AP does have an ethernet port which is how it is connected to the switch. Does this help me at all?

EDIT: the way I have it connected at the moment seems to be exactly what you are suggesting but I dont think the AP can be an upstream DHCP client and a downstream DHCP server at the same time.

SWW, thanks for the clarification on routers vs switches

Originally Posted by obvious

The AP does have an ethernet port which is how it is connected to the switch. Does this help me at all?


SWW, thanks for the clarification on routers vs switches

Your setup should work IF your AP can be a DHCP server AND if it will allocate private network addresses.

Beware that your setup is wide open to port scanners etc.

One of the advantages of a router/switch it that most of them incorporate a firewall.

[obvious]

Thanks - As EDIT above I dont think the AP can be an upstream DHCP client and a downstream DHCP server at the same time.

So I guess my best option is to sell the switch and the AP and get a combined wireless router?

A wireless router would be the most sensible option, esp as most have four switch ports in them as well.

[Richard M]

I would keep the switch TBH, it's cheap and a handy thing to have around.
I run a setup like this:
Switch -> 3 computers & router/DSL modem
I use static IP addressing on the LAN and I also have a static IP on the internet - all works perfectly.

[obvious]

What about this one? The seller lives nearby so if its suitable I might ask him for a Buy-It-Now

[Paul K]

Never really had much luck with Belkin networking equipment but hopefully someone who has used that router will be able to advise you on it better than I can.

[Jez]

Originally Posted by Paul

Never really had much luck with Belkin networking equipment but hopefully someone who has used that router will be able to advise you on it better than I can.

That's what I've used for almost a year now - very much 'plug and play' installation, and will replace both the switch and the access point. Just remember to check the price new, as they're not all that expensive!

[obvious]

Originally Posted by Jez

That's what I've used for almost a year now - very much 'plug and play' installation, and will replace both the switch and the access point. Just remember to check the price new, as they're not all that expensive!

Thanks - I've seen them new for around £40 + P&P

[obvious]

Dont want to get it wrong this time. I guess I could just get a BEFSR41 and keep my existing 11g Access Point?

[Raistlin]

You might be better spending the extra tenner and going wireless (in case you expand things in the future):

http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/...586941-4057200
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