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Author Topic: Router and network question
Wendybird
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I finally got a new router set up and was able to get wireless internet. During the set up I set the LAN to a static IP address with subnet and I've been able to connect with my laptop anywhere in the house. Previously I couldn't. I'm not sure if it is solely due to the static IP or another thing I changed. Is it a problem to keep the LAN on a static IP? I didn't want to fiddle with it without knowing since I'm so happy to finally have the wireless working.... I use a broadband usb modem to connect to the internet. It goes to the desktop and I use a CAT5 to connect the computer to the router but not in the internet slot. Basically the router is a gateway.
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lem
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quote:
During the set up I set the LAN to a static IP address with subnet and I've been able to connect with my laptop anywhere in the house.
My initial thought is if it works leave it alone. However your post confused me. A LAN is just a local area network--it doesn't have an IP address. Devices have IP addresses--routers, computers, switches.

Are you saying you set your computer to a static IP? Static is great. I prefer having DHCP so I can more easily connect other computers to my network, but it is all good.

EDIT:

quote:
Is it a problem to keep the LAN on a static IP?
Static IPs are never wrong. Having DHCP just makes management easier. It allows it so you don't have to assign a device to a specific IP address. This is a very good thing on large networks.

Even on networks that use DHCP, some devices need static IP addresses--usually servers and printers. There is nothing *wrong* about using a static IP.

[ September 30, 2008, 06:45 PM: Message edited by: lem ]

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Wendybird
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With the way my system is set up it had me assign a static IP to the LAN but I wasn't sure if a static IP would be less secure. Can you tell I don't know much? [Big Grin] Since its working and not a security thing I'll just leave it as is! Thanks!!
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Boris
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You mention that you have your internet connection going to your computer directly. So if I'm getting this right, you have Internet connection -> USB Modem -> Computer -> Wireless Router.

I can tell you, that's not the best setup in the world. If it's getting you what you want, and you don't want to mess with it, that's probably okay, but you're not going to have an internet connection when the desktop is off. Is there a way to connect your USB modem with an ethernet cable? Because the preferable method would be to go from the modem, to the router (with the cable plugged into the internet jack), then have your computer connected from there. The router serves as a type of hardware firewall that will secure your home network. It will also allow you to connect wirelessly without any trouble. If it is possible with your Modem, I would highly recommend this method, as it's both more secure, and much less of a hassle to troubleshoot and fix if something breaks.

Most home routers are programmed to work with this method just by plugging them in and letting it go (at least with a cable internet connection. DSL usually requires a Username and password for the internet connection, which you can usually set up with the CD that is included).

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fugu13
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What kind of modem do you have? That is, what brand/model number is on it?
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lem
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quote:
you have Internet connection -> USB Modem -> Computer -> Wireless Router.
I understood it to mean she has "Internet Connection >Wireless router with 1 CAT5 port and 1 usb port> usb to computer and laptop running off of wireless."

I imagine it that way because that is how my home is set up (tho I am connected to the CAT5 port instead of the usb port). For a time I had 1 computer using USB and one using CAT5 cabling. Eventually I got a switch for my 2 desktops.

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Wendybird
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My modem is the Novatel Wireless Broadband through Sprint. It is a small device with a usb port so it connects to the desktop with a usb cable. They don' t make affordable routers with a usb plug and everything I found online says to use it you have to plug it into the computer then plug the computer into the router port 1-4 not the internet port in order for it to work. This is what I've done and I've been surfing fine. My desktop does need to be on to use the internet but thats okay. I only shut it down at night when I'm done for the day anyway. The troubleshooting post I found that finally worked had me disable the DHCP on the router and set the LAN on the desktop to a static IP. After configuring something you then switch the LAN back to dynamic but when I did that the laptop couldn't connect to the web anymore. So I switched the LAN back to static and its working. Does that make sense? I am not very versed in setting this kind of thing up but can't afford to contract out to someone to do it. I'm hoping with the router and my Norton I have enough firewall protection.
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TomDavidson
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For clarity's sake: you aren't setting the LAN on your desktop. You're setting your desktop's IP to a static IP. This is preventing it from asking your router for an IP address -- which is normally what you want, but which in your (very backwards) configuration will prevent you from making an Internet connection.

Your router is not providing any firewall protection to your PC, since it's actually behind your PC. It might be providing firewall protection to any wireless devices (like your laptop) that are connecting through it to the Internet.

Your configuration is very, very awkward. I would recommend -- if you don't want to buy a router with USB WAN connectivity (and I don't blame you) -- that you ask Sprint to provide you a modem with a CAT5 connection. As it stands, you are actually using your desktop as a router. You could even install a wireless network card in your desktop and get rid of your router altogether, with the right software.

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scifibum
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Is this a wireless broadband service? Wired DSL or cable internet usually comes with a modem that has both USB and RJ-45 ports. But it looks like maybe this is your "modem." (?)

(I hate it that things that are not modems are labeled modems. This appears to be an EV-DO wireless adapter. I'm not sure if these are made with RJ-45 ports.)

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Wendybird
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Yes thats my modem. We live in the boonies so our only options for internet are satellite, dial up or wireless broadband. The wireless broadband is the cheaper of the two higher speed options. We tried going back to dial up. Not happening. So this is what we have until cable comes our way hahaha. I have Norton on my pc and it has a firewall which is what I use. Is that sufficient? I do have the router/network configured to need a password to connect. I'm hoping this is secure enough.
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TomDavidson
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There's nothing wrong with using a PC as a router; that's actually a pretty common use for cheap Linux machines. Bear in mind that your software firewall is almost certainly not configured in a way that would keep out a determined attacker, though; Norton's defaults aren't bad, but they're not great, either. And by going with static IPs, you increase your exposure to the Bad Guys by a bit.

I was trying to think of solutions that would keep your home network as safe and flexible as a "traditional" setup, and sadly I can't come up with anything that's cheaper than the $140 that a router with a USB WAN port is likely to cost you (unless you're willing to lose the use of your desktop for other purposes). I know it's not exactly cheap, but if you ever do any financial transactions over the Internet, I'd consider it worth the investment. Heck, depending on how often you use your laptop compared to your desktop, the power savings might pay for the thing over a couple years.

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Wendybird
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I do use the internet to pay bills. Maybe I'll try setting my desktop back to dynamic IP and see if my network still works. I certainly don't want to be open to attack! Its not worth the convenience of using my laptop....I think I'd better start saving for a router with a USB port.
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TomDavidson
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If you set your desktop to dynamic IP, your network probably won't work; the reason is that your router is looking to your desktop's IP to provide a WAN uplink, and if that IP keeps changing, the router won't know where to look.
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Wendybird
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yeah thats what I figured. I fiddled with it last night and had to return to static to keep my laptop working. I'm exploring other options for the long term use.
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