Disabling DHCP and networking issues

[Randomaxess]

ok guys, here's a nasty little run-around i cant figure out

current set up:

cable modem/ wall -> Linksys router/hub -> SMC wireless Barricade

one the Linksys hub: only one computer running
on the SMC wireless barricade: one machine connected by wire, 2 connected by wireless.

BOTH routers are set as DHCP, ALL machines are running windows 98 SE

my problem:

the three machines that are set up on the SMC can see each other on Network Neighborhood. However, the one that is connected to the base router (the linksys) is not recognizing the other three, nor are the other three recognizing the one on the Linksys main router.

Now, i have been told to disable DHCP on the SMC, but the moment i do that, i can't get the machines to access the internet, nor can i get back into the firmware thru the IP method (typing 192.168.xxx.xxx in IE).

Could someone tell me either a) how to get the linksys machine to be recognized by all the other three or b) how to properly disable DHCP on the SMC and get the computer to access the internet and still access the router (which was my problem before).

Thanx guys!

[TheOldMan]

Randomaxess,

Maybe I'm dense but I don't understand why you are hooking things up like this.

The problem is that you've got two routers in the picture. This type of router functions basically as a gateway and joins separate networks together. In other words, it handles the transfer of packets from one network to another.

The LinkSys has the ability to switch working modes from Gateway to Router but I don't know about the SMC. In your config, you need to keep the LinkSys as a Gateway but you need to switch the SMC to Router mode. You will also probably need to change your addressing scheme. Let's say the LinkSys is 192.168.1.1. Computers connected to that router can be in the 192.168.1.x range. The SMC's "WAN" interface or uplink will use an IP in the 192.168.1.x range. It's LAN interface, and the computers connected to it, could use the 192.168.2.x range. Make sure the default gateway for the SMC is the LinkSys.

I think that will work and you can leave DHCP on. Wouldn't it just be simpler to use one or the other and not both routers??

Hope that helps.
The Old Man

[Randomaxess]

update:
haven't tried turning gateway off on the SMC, but when i checked i didn't see anything pertaining to it...then again, i haven't looked for it.

As for setting them in the same IP range, that didn't work either...for some odd reason the SMC gives me an error that it can't set it that way.

When we tried to set the Linksys's IP range to that of the SMC, the computers hooked to the SMC (after release / renew) wouldn't connect to the internet, but WOULD see each other on Network Neighborhood.

TheOldMan: The reason this crazy set up is in place is this: the house itself came wired in certain rooms, and its a reletively big house. when the family wanted network capabilities in other rooms, they turned wireless. Obviously, the easiest thing is to just switch routers, but the problem is that if i stick the wireless SMC barricade down in the basement where the Linksys hub currently is, then due to interference with cement, pipes, wires etc, the wireless won't connect.

[TheOldMan]

randomaxess,

OK, I have a better picture now. Sometimes you wind up doing strange things to deal with the limitations imposed by the environment.

A couple of points:
- The LinkSys default LAN IP is 192.168.1.1
- The SMC default LAN IP is 192.168.2.1
- Gateway/Router mode may not be called the same thing with SMC.

You should not be trying to put the LinkSys and SMC in the same IP ranges. Is your cable company static IP? Here's my suggestion:
http://www.jsnment.d2g.com/drawing1.jpg

I've downloaded an SMC manual if you need help doing this.

Hope that helps.
The Old Man

[Randomaxess]

ok, thanks, i will try this and let you know, thanks

[Randomaxess]

bumb!

[wedor]

I been playing with the same problem using a D-link router and a Linksys router, hasn't worked yet..

[TheOldMan]

Randomaxess,

Where did it go wrong? Are the routers working correctly on their own? Can the attached computers see each other? Do the computers attached to the LinkSys see the internet?

It occus to me looking at this again that you may need to add a route to one of the routers.

The Old Man