Accessing Workgroup Systems outside of Router

[DukeDiablo]

Dear Forum:

I recently upgraded our small office from a simple belkin network hub to an actual wireless router, Linksys WRT54G2.

Previously we had a very simple workgroup... named the default "workgroup" that we could share files and use two shared laser printers.

Three of the PC's are XP SP3 and are behind the Linksys Router, hard line connected. One laser printer was connected to one of those computers.

In an adjoining office, we have one Vista computer, that isn't connected to the Router, but is connected to the whole building's wall jack network. Another laser printer was connected to that computer.

Previously, using just the Belkin hub, the Vista System could see and access the other three XP systems, and vice versa. All printers were shared, everything worked.

Now I can only see and access the three XP systems that are connected to the router. They cannot see or access the outside Vista system, and the Vista system can't see or access anything behind the router.

I know this is a configuration issue, and the router is doing it's exact job... I just need to now how to get the system back the way it was.

Any help or advice would be appreciated and yall have a great week.

Sincerely,
Jim Kennedy

[glc]

You need to integrate all machines into the router. Any hubs or switches that remain need to be uplinked to the router.

[DukeDiablo]

Thanks GLC-

So I take it that unless that other system is actually hooked up to the new Router... it wouldn't matter if it's in the next room, or across the world... I'm not going to be able to share the printer and files with ease.

I was just thinking there must be some configuration that could be done, like opening a port to allow that outside system to access the workgroup behind the router, and vice versa.

How about if I used a wireless dongle, or wireless card in the outside Vista System, hooked it up to the Router that way.... I should be able to be "on the workgroup" then correct?

Thanks and I'm sorry to be a bother. I need to actually learn some things instead of always trying to fix it on the fly every time.

[DukeDiablo]

Actually I guess another option may be to just use the Router for the wireless capabilities, which is why I upgraded, and reinstall the Belkin network hub as it was before.

I can use one wall network jack for the Router and the other for the Network Hub.

Then everyone is networked again and other guys coming into the office can still have wireless access if they need it.

That sounds very low tech... but I guess that would work. Just disappointing.

[glc]

Not low tech at all - I've used simple 4 port routers for 20+ station networks - by uplinking a 24 port switch to the router. A simple router can service a whole subnet this way, by uplinking switches and hubs to it.

[DukeDiablo]

Thanks GLC-

That sounds like the setup we need. I'm just a dumb State Trooper trying to help out the small Sheriff's Office that we work with, and share office space, in my duty post. They used to just have one Windows 2000 computer... so we've upgraded quite a bit since I came in, and now they really enjoy the added features of a networked office.

Thanks for the help and I'm sure they'll be happy to have the network back the way it was.

[glc]

Do note that a switch would be much better than an old hub.