3 pc's (98se), 3 floors, 2 IP's, HUB & ROUTER

HI gang - Currently, we have 2 pc's (both running 98se) sharing ADSL via HUB and obviously 2 IP's (get 2 with service) with Hub on MAIN floor From HUB:
- LINE #1 going to basement
- LINE #2 up the stairs to my PC

NOW, we have an extra PC upstairs (also running 98se) to go online.

I know it is probably ideal if we just had the ROUTER connected directly to the ADSL modem, and then all 3 pc's connected to the router, BUT because of wiring (up/down stairs, 3 levels, etc) we would be stuck with running another wire all the way down the stairs to the ROUTER (1 for each pc upstairs).

Therefore, unless there's better options, we're trying to hook up all 3 PC's (all 98se os - nics in each) using 2 IP's like this:

- ADSL modem to HUB on main floor
- Line 1 from HUB to basement (pc#1)
- Line 2 from HUB (up the stairs) to D-LINK DI-604 ROUTER
- D-LINK DI-604 ROUTER to pc#2 & pc#3 upstairs

Now, I hope that's clear - the thing is, we get 2 IP's included with the ADSL service and both being used now. The ADSL phone outlet is on the main floor, so we have to keep the modem there and work the network from that point.

THE ONLY OTHER OPTION I can see so far, is to use the ROUTER from the MAIN floor - Line 1 from ROUTER to pc#1 (down to basement), and Line 2 from ROUTER up the stairs (still only 1 line up the stairs) to the HUB...
HUB to both pc#2 & pc#3
IN OTHER WORDS, switch the router/hub positioning from first option.

So, how bout it, gang?
Any takers?
Is this feasible?
Which one best of both would work?

AND, what has to be set up from the ADSL company, if anything (they advertise they won't do tech support for networking)?
TIA...

Well, davey,

I'd go for Door #2 and only use one IP.

2 cents.

spaceman

Put the router on the upstairs line.
Follow the manual and all will be OK. As long as the cables are ok.
Bet each ip has a email address and you need both. Some dsl outfits only allow one address per isp #.

spaceman_333:
Makes sense, except Train's got a point with the email, etc. pc#1 is the landlady, and so don't want to risk her having down time!

Train
I think all would be fine, expcept I'm not confident pc#3's ie6 is actually adsl ready - is setup with nic in light of cable - and we just couldn't seem to get ie6 (with or without the router) to open a page, although winipcfg was showing the router's default IP and sub mask - so the pc is at least comunicating with it and did copy the MAC - and the router was clearly online - just couldn't get his ie6 to open to a page.

At least with me back online (sans router for now), I'll be able to check out the D-LINK to see if I can't get a handle on what I've missed!

I'll let y'all know how we make out, but it might not be until Thurs.
Thanks.

see if you can ping a couple address from the command prompt.
Start, run [type in] Command and hit ok

type in
Ping www.yahoo.com
see if you get a answer

ping a couple more addresses also.
note answers.

Train
"ping a couple address from the command prompt"

Well now I feel brite - not!
I was racking my brain trying to come up with a way to test the conection other than with IE!
Um, PING MAYBE!
NIce one, Train - ping, ping, ping

- seems the ISP wants to know about all the pc's, although they'll only charge us for the 2 registrations (IP's). For long term convenience, I'll again have to give up my registration, as the router setup is best run via pc#3 in the next room.

HE'll have to be the #2 registration, or, rather, his pc and the router as his adapter - didn't think that was necessary, but I've got lots to learn there, because that's what the adsl provider touted.

And after abandonning the networking project tonight, I seems I had to reregister my adapter in order to get an IP address suitable to get back online as usual (hub and just 2 pc's).

Don't really get it, cause it just doesn't seem necessary if a suitable adapter is installed, for why it can't just pick up a suitable dynamic IP address. Now that this pc is registered again, I think I'll try configuring the router via this pc this time without calling it in - that's all the manual says is supposed to be necessary - then ping, ping, ping!

The "registration" your ISP requires is likely in terms of MAC addresses. These addresses are unque to certain network components, like NICs AND the router you have. ISPs often will hand out static IP addresses to (for) specic MAC addresses.

PC1 (the landlady's) is set in terms of any registration issues. As for the others... PC2 would be the one that had its MAC address registered with your ISP. Using the Windows WINIPCFG command you can find out what its MAC address is (that of its NIC). Your router has the ability to "clone" a MAC address. In other words, you can tell it a MAC address to use and that will be the one it exposes to the outside world (ie. to your ISP). What you would want to do is clone the MAC address from PC2 (the one registered with the ISP) on the router. Then there won't be any issues with any PCs behind the router (regardless of what MAC addresses their NICs may have)? The alternative here is to give your ISP the MAC address of your router (which can be found in its setup screens).

Follow? Make sense?

By the way... How things will need to be configured will vary somewhat depending on such things as whether you are using static IPs on the PCS or having them dynamically assigned (DHCP), whether PPPoE is/was used, etc.

I'm really confused after reading all this, mind you the 300 mlg of morphine a day isnt helping. Al I want to mention is that I have had 5 puters 3 at the same time on 2 floors via my hub & sharer all accessing my ISP using only the one IP the "sharer" uses. Yes I only have one email address but there has been no issue with all this registration you have been talking about.

I still don't think it would be that big a deal to run the extra wire. That is put the router/hub where the phone line is and run all your PC's to there like I have done. Pulling wire isn't easy but w/ a little ingenuity I KNOW you will figure it out. I have done alot of this myself especially at work so Have figured out quite a few work arounds. If you want any other tips feel free to email me and mabe I can help out better.

Andrew

Andrew,


When you say "sharer" I assume you mean that you have some sort of gateway/proxy software (ICS/anlogx/sygate/etc) running on one of your machines, through which your other machines share your internet connection. That software provides the functionality that a router does (ie. allows one ip address provided by the isp to be shared by multiple PCs). The downside of this is that the "sharer" machine must be on for any other PCs to use the internet.

In ^dAvEy^'s case the isp is providing two ip address for the monthly fee, and it sounds like they are static (ie fixed) addresses. Usually/often when ISPs do this they "tie" these addresses to particular MAC addresses in the NIC(s) of the subscriber's PC(s). This is the type of "registration" that appears to be going on with ^dAvEy^.

DrMDJ:

It is an external piece of hardware that is attached to my hub. Some software is involved but only to set up the device for who you want access allowed. No host puter needs to be turned on. My original was an all in one. This one is a 2 piece one w/ the external modem and "sharer" seperate pieces, but the principal is the same. It is a GNet product by GVC- Andrew

Ah! So its an internet gateway and (probably) a modem combo, same idea as the router/switch combo that ^dAvEy^ has.

Anyway, if ^dAvEy^ is getting 2 static/fixed IP addresses from the ISP then, as has been said, they may well be tied to specific MAC addresses (not uncommon). Only he can clarify this all.

In the end this all won't be a particularly big deal to set up, there might just be some nuances depending on some of the factors that have been discussed.

DrMDJ's mac business may just be it.

But have fought bad brand new cables and winsock32 problems.
That is the reason I asked about the ping business.

As mentioned, in order form me to be online, I've got the old setup back running until kicking the can again with the router and pc#3 - at that time, I'll be sure to PING away!.

Regarding troubleshooting and the cables, we know these cables are functioning well:

phone > modem > Hub > pc#1 (basement)
Hub > pc#2 (my pc upstairs)

and when trying to hook up the router to start getting pc#3 online, the line that went from the hub to pc#2 then went to the router (we know it's functioning) and pc#3 was responding to the router, so that cable is good too, I figure. These facts have me concluding that all the cables (except for the to-date untested cable from router to my pc - moot point for now though) are in order.

next kick at the can will be tomorrow at the earliest.

Quote:

---

DrMDJ said:
The "registration" your ISP requires is likely in terms of MAC addresses. These addresses are unque to certain network components, like NICs AND the router you have. ISPs often will hand out static IP addresses to (for) specic MAC addresses.

---

the ISP did have me give her the router's MAC address down, but she tells me we are using DYNAMIC IP addresses, but from what I understand you're saying, she may have made a mistake.

Sounds like that without contacting the ISP again, I should be able to record the MAC from my pc (now currently connected) and then wire the network and clone the MAC address to the router, even though the router setup is via pc#3?
Thereby, the router connects indicating my MAC, and then distributes LAN IP's to the 2 pc's on the LAN?
that makes some sense to me - hopefully, it's logical!

Which line in WINIPCFG is my MAC address?

Thanks gang.

Start, run [type in]WINIPCFG , hit OK
Bottom right Click the MORE Info button

Adapter Address

By the way the DNS servers is your IP number. :D

Well, we finally have all three pc's online but haven't been working on it for some time...

For the record, part of the problem was that the ISP told me it was a Dynamic, not Static system. Another matter was that the router software required the actual Host Name that was already set up with the ISP. ONce we got those sorted out, we were all online right away...FINALLY!

Thanks all for the training - many lessons learned, indeed!
:D

^dAvEy^ Thankyou for getting back AND telling us the solution to your problem.

I would be nice if everyone did the same thing instead of simply thanks in advance. We all learned something on this on, and this is exactly why I try read all the posts wheather they pertain to me or I even have an icebergs chance in...of answering it. I have learned so much here in the last year it is unbelievable and I an so grateful, having taken the time to read these posts I can now help others. - Andrew

thanks for that, Andrew
I've been here in the clinic now for over 2 years, and am also happy to be able to help out once in awhile too
Incidentally, I often send my queries with TIA.... but that doesn't mean I'm not gunna say thanks and give an update later also!
:D
ps: home network is working great with no apparent slow down resulting from the router split!