Network Layout Suggestions

Nemesis · 10-12-2006, 03:40 PM

Hey guys, I am just looking for suggestion on how to layout my home network. The patch panel and modem is in the basement of a 3 story house. I have a cable modem, 2 wired pcs, 3 wireless laptops, and a windows server. I would like to have a wireless connection point on the middle floor to have better coverage upstairs. but have one of the wired computers in the basement. I wasnt sure if I could have 2 routers (one in the basement, and a wireless router upstairs) because of NAT... So it started to confuse me on how I could set it all up. If anyone could give me a good opinion that would be great. Thanks!

I was thinking:

Modem--router--server, wired pc1, wired pc2, wifi router--wireless 1, 2, 3

If thats understandable

**johnwill** · 10-12-2006, 05:24 PM

Connecting two SOHO broadband routers together.

Configure the IP address of the secondary router to be in the same subnet as the primary router, but out of the range of the DHCP server in the primary router. For instance DHCP server addresses 192.168.0.2 through 192.168.0.100, I'd assign the secondary router 192.168.0.254 as it's IP address.

Disable the DHCP server in the secondary router.

Setup the wireless section just the way you would if it was the primary router.

Connect from the primary router's LAN port to one of the LAN ports on the secondary router. If there is no uplink port and neither of the routers have auto-sensing ports, use a cross-over cable. Leave the WAN port unconnected!

Nemesis · 10-13-2006, 01:39 PM

Why must a crossover cable be used?

**cjessee** · 10-13-2006, 01:51 PM

Any time you connect two "like" devices together, you must use a crossover cable. So if you plug a router into a computer, you don't need one... but if you plug a router into a router... then you will need one. In a crossover cable the send and receive wires are switched at one end. If not, both devices would be sending on the same wire and no one would be listening... Short version.

Some routers can autosense which type of cable is installed... some cannot.. if they cannot, then you must use the cross-over.

**johnwill** · 10-13-2006, 06:07 PM

That's why I mention that capability.

**cjessee** · 10-13-2006, 06:08 PM

Not doubting you for a second, and not to steal your thread, but a quick response is why this board rocks.

**johnwill** · 10-13-2006, 06:18 PM

10-12-2006, 03:40 PM	#1 (permalink)
Nemesis Registered User Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Va, USA Posts: 222 OS: Win2000.xp.vista.03server.	Network Layout Suggestions Hey guys, I am just looking for suggestion on how to layout my home network. The patch panel and modem is in the basement of a 3 story house. I have a cable modem, 2 wired pcs, 3 wireless laptops, and a windows server. I would like to have a wireless connection point on the middle floor to have better coverage upstairs. but have one of the wired computers in the basement. I wasnt sure if I could have 2 routers (one in the basement, and a wireless router upstairs) because of NAT... So it started to confuse me on how I could set it all up. If anyone could give me a good opinion that would be great. Thanks! I was thinking: Modem--router--server, wired pc1, wired pc2, wifi router--wireless 1, 2, 3 If thats understandable

10-12-2006, 05:24 PM	#2 (permalink)
johnwill Manager, Networking Forums Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: S.E. Pennsylvania, US Posts: 41,940 OS: Windows 7, XP-Pro, Vista, Linux Blog Entries: 1	Connecting two SOHO broadband routers together. Configure the IP address of the secondary router to be in the same subnet as the primary router, but out of the range of the DHCP server in the primary router. For instance DHCP server addresses 192.168.0.2 through 192.168.0.100, I'd assign the secondary router 192.168.0.254 as it's IP address. Disable the DHCP server in the secondary router. Setup the wireless section just the way you would if it was the primary router. Connect from the primary router's LAN port to one of the LAN ports on the secondary router. If there is no uplink port and neither of the routers have auto-sensing ports, use a cross-over cable. Leave the WAN port unconnected! __________________ If TSF has helped you, Tell us about it! or Donate to help keep the site up! Microsoft MVP - Windows Desktop Experience

10-13-2006, 01:51 PM	#4 (permalink)
cjessee Uh oh. Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Ohio Posts: 794 OS: Windows NT/2000/XP, Dictaphone, Windows 2003 Server	Crossover cable Any time you connect two "like" devices together, you must use a crossover cable. So if you plug a router into a computer, you don't need one... but if you plug a router into a router... then you will need one. In a crossover cable the send and receive wires are switched at one end. If not, both devices would be sending on the same wire and no one would be listening... Short version. Some routers can autosense which type of cable is installed... some cannot.. if they cannot, then you must use the cross-over. Last edited by cjessee; 10-13-2006 at 01:53 PM.

10-13-2006, 06:07 PM	#5 (permalink)
johnwill Manager, Networking Forums Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: S.E. Pennsylvania, US Posts: 41,940 OS: Windows 7, XP-Pro, Vista, Linux Blog Entries: 1	That's why I mention that capability. __________________ If TSF has helped you, Tell us about it! or Donate to help keep the site up! Microsoft MVP - Windows Desktop Experience

10-13-2006, 06:08 PM	#6 (permalink)
cjessee Uh oh. Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Ohio Posts: 794 OS: Windows NT/2000/XP, Dictaphone, Windows 2003 Server	Doubt Not doubting you for a second, and not to steal your thread, but a quick response is why this board rocks.

10-13-2006, 01:39 PM	#3 (permalink)
Nemesis Registered User Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Va, USA Posts: 222 OS: Win2000.xp.vista.03server.	Why must a crossover cable be used?

10-13-2006, 06:18 PM	#7 (permalink)
johnwill Manager, Networking Forums Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: S.E. Pennsylvania, US Posts: 41,940 OS: Windows 7, XP-Pro, Vista, Linux Blog Entries: 1	__________________ If TSF has helped you, Tell us about it! or Donate to help keep the site up! Microsoft MVP - Windows Desktop Experience