How To Use a Router To Add Network Ports

[PacketRider]

With Method Two, can computers of the network 192.168.199.x share files and printers with those in the 192.168.3.x network? I have a feeling that the PCs of the downstream router can see those of the upstream's, but not the other way around because the uptream's PCs will hit the WAN port of the downstream router.

The value of this solution is two-fold. You have gained an extra port over Method One. And by routing between the upstream and downstream LANs, you've effectively created a broadcast separation between the two networks, which can improve overall network performance in a busy LAN

This quote implies that because of the broadcast separation, nothing can share files between the two networks.

Why can one not simply give the WAN port of the downstream router a static IP that is in the same subnet as the LAN side of the upstream router but outside the range of the DHCP server IPs of the upstream's router? Why give the WAN port on the downstream router a different subnet?

But this can interfere with network connectivity to corporate VPNs, VoIP, and other services connected through the downstream router because of the "Double NAT" configuration

I am not clear on why the NAT on the downstream router has to be disabled given the fact that the computers in the downstream router get a different IP addresses in the x.x.199.x anyway. This is the same as NAT which is translate one address to another. Does double NAT makes an already bad situation, due to the first NAT of the upstream router, worse for the downstream computers?

[allxk]

? Is there a limit of how meny routers to be connected ?

[ssoaring]

Would this information apply if you are trying to hook two routers up together, but the downstream router is the one you want to use as the router. My DSL service provides a router/modem that I do not want to use because I have a better one. Can I use the Method 2 but in reverse?

[dreid]

Thanks for the questions!

Can computers on one subnet share files and printers with those in another network?

Yes they can. You can map a windows share from one router to another. You may have to specify the IP address of the shared drive and give it a name, but it works fine. To do so, enable sharing of the drive or folder on one machine, and then map to that drive via \\(IP address)\(name).

Why can one not simply give the WAN port of the downstream router a static IP that is in the same subnet as the LAN side of the upstream router but outside the range of the DHCP server IPs of the upstream's router?

You should assign to the WAN port of the downstream router a static IP that is in the same subnet as the LAN side of the upstream router.

I am not clear on why the NAT on the downstream router has to be disabled...

Each router running NAT maintains a dynamic table of NAT entries, tracking outbound packet flows and matching them with inbound packet flows. If there is no outbound packet flow matching an inbound packet flow, the inbound packet flow can be discarded. In short, running NAT on the downstream router can restrict traffic flows to devices behind the downstream router unnecessarily.

[dreid]

Answers to two more questions:

Is there a limit to the number of routers connected?

No, but it can get complex with more than two routers as you'll need to set up multiple static routes or utilize a routing protocol.

My DSL service provides a router/modem that I do not want to use because I have a better one.

My suggestion: Call your DSL provider and ask them to "bridge" your router/modem or replace it with a simple modem. Then use your router to control your network.

[ssoaring]

I asked my DSL company to only provide me with a modem when they did the install but they said that the modem/router was all they offered. Luckily they did not change the admin password so I can change the settings in the router to hopefully bridge the connection.

[3DHack]

Hi folks,

This is my first post in this fab forum.

I've been lurking awhile because I am launching a new business very soon where I will be responsible for setting up and maintaining (or finding support for), a small 3D animation studio In Byron Bay Australia.

Due to the generous input of the gurus on smallnetbuilder, I'm gradually getting my head around our requirements and the various issues of storage and network but don't feel I've identified the exact equipment to buy or whether to dive in and learn the skills myself or hire in advice and purchase the business level support options from Dell or HP etc.

Until I am sure what we need I'd prefer to use what gear I already have, including an old ADSL router that will be repaced when I upgrade to ADSL2+.

I'm just wondering if this temporary solution would deliver a reasonable speed between the three computers we currently intend to network.

Cheers

3D

[thiggins]

This hack doesn't do anything to improve network speed. It only adds additional network Ethernet ports.

[Adonsa]

Hi, first time posting to this excellent website.
Apologies for not being able to derive the answer from the above message thread.

I have a 4 port Motorola-Netopia Model 2246N-VGx DSL Ethernet Managed Switch.

I need to add a downstream Lynksys wireless router, so far, attempts to configure the linksys have failed.

The configuration of the Netopia 2246N-VGx is:

WAN:IP Address 172.16.34.165
Default Gateway 172.16.34.166
Netmask 255.255.255.252
DHCP Client Off
DHCP Lease Expires N/A
NAT On
WAN Users Unlimited

LAN:
IP Address 192.168.1.254
Netmask 255.255.255.0
Ethernet Status Up
DHCP Server On
DHCP Leases 1 out of 253 leases in use

What should be the downstream Lynksys router settings?

The linksys documentation fails to adequately cover setting it up as a downstream.

Any advice will be much appreciated.

Thanks,
Jack

[thiggins]

The Netopia's subnet is 172.16.34.X.

For Method 1, set the LAN IP of the Linksys to an unused IP address in that range and shut off its DHCP server.