Home Networking with a switch

[ChaosMath]

I have DSL with Bell Sympatico the phone line runs right from the wall to the modem and the modem runs to the Linksys EtherFast 10/100 5 port workgroup switch.

From the switch 2 ethernet cables from slot 1 and 2 of the 5 slots goto my 2 computers.

on my main computer I pick the following options for wizard set up.
1. Select a connection method I pick OTHER .

2. Ohter Internet connections methods. I pick This computer connects to the internet directly or though a network hub. Ohter compuers on my network also connect to the internet directly or through a hub.

3. Select your Internet connection i have one called Sympatico main Wan Miniport (PPPOE) i pick this one the other is my ethernet card

4. Give this computer a description and a name the computer description is First and the computer name is FIRST1 and my Workgroup name is MSHOME
-- My second computer description is Second and the computer name is SECOND2 and my Workgroup name is MSHOME.

I can get both computers over the net but not connected to each other..

please help if you can thanks

[rlegault]

Yes, that's exactly what would and should happen.

There's 2 things you can do,

1. Your computers will ONLY be able to "talk" to each other when they are not connected to the internet. Specify an internal IP on each computer (ex 192.168.0.1 and 192.168.0.2) when you connect to the internet the PPPOE adapter will replace the internal IP with a routed IP and you will be able to surf the net. When you are not connected to sympatico both computers can comunicat withought any problems.

2. Instead of using a switch get a router.(lynksys, SMC, Dlink....) you set the router to PPPOE to sympatico and your two computer have internal addresses (same as above) so if they need to access the internet they will follow the default gateway, if not they will simply stay within your network. The router you are looking for MUST be able to prefomr NAT and PPPOE (most of them do)

Both the options are good but Option 2 is better, Option 2 also provides a NAT firewall for your computers.

[Solarjetman]

One thing about what you said rlegault, and its just splitting hairs because you gave good advice. On you first option, you may want to pick different addresses. Depending on the switch, it may default to one of those two adresses. So, maybe pick 192.168.0.11 and 192.168.0.12 instead. Those will more than likly not be default values on the switch, but within the same subnet.

However, I think you should just get a router ChaosMath. You can get a non-wireless one for around $20 US now. It will make it easier, you will not have to log on the internet every time, and it will add security to your network.

[rlegault]

Solarjetman you make a good point, however switches (unmanaged ones) do NOT have IP addresses. But for Option 2 the router would have an IP, and you are right the routers IP adress normaly is 192.168.*.1. Though the IPs you specify cannot be the same as the router they MUST be in the same subnet.

[ChaosMath]

I was wondering if any one can tell me how to set up the network wizard for both computers useing a switch what options do I pick and can you please tell me how to set up the internal IP so when im offline I can network 2 computers please.

thanks

[Solarjetman]

Solarjetman you make a good point, however switches (unmanaged ones) do NOT have IP addresses.

True. The El-Cheepo brands don't. But when you get into the more advanced ones they do require them. Cisco switches are a good example.

ChaosMath, to set your IP address, go to
Start > Control panel > Network connection

Then right-click on Local Area Connection and choose properties

hilghlight "Internet Protocol (TCP/IP)" and click the properties button

select "use the following IP address"

On one computer put for the IP address 192.168.0.2 and the other put 192.168.0.3 (just in case he get a router in the future rlegault )

On both computers for subnet mask put 255.255.255.0

I think you can leave the DNS and default gateway blank as they will be updated when you log on to the internet. Anyone know for sure? I never tired that. The blank gateway makes me a little nervous. You could put the other computer's IP address in there. That may work.

[ChaosMath]

would any one know how to hook the 2 computers with a Cross over cable so I got the DSL line going to my modem then the Ethernet cable going from the modem to my main computer named FIRST and then a ethernet cable running from my second ether card in my first computer running to the second computer when I do this I got to View workgroup computers and it says it can see my second computer but when I go to open the icon it says

My Network Places

Mshome is not accessible. You might not have permission to use this network resource. Contact the administrator of this server to find out if you have access permissions.

The list of servers for this workgroup is not currently available.

on both of my computers I only have one account on them and they are both administrators..

please help if you can thanks