Networking help again

[boybi]

This is my setup at my home and office:

DSL Modem---Wifi Router 1---[LAN cable]---Wifi Router 2---<wirelessly bridged to>---Wifi Router 3---[LAN cables]---Office computers & server

Blue = Home
Red = Office

Routers 2 & 3 serve as access points/hubs
Router 1 assigns the IP addresses.

Here's my problem:

There are times the power cord for the Router 2 gets unplugged accidentally, so the office side will lose internet connection. If the computers in the office are turned on before the Router 2 is unplugged, they can still access the server since they've already been assigned their respective IP addresses.

But if Router 2 was unplugged before the office computers were turned on, then none of the office computers get to access the server.

What I like to know is, can the office side have it's own DHCP separate from the home side? I mean, I want the office and home to have their own separate networks, but the office side still get its internet connection from my home network. Is this possible?

If I can do this, can the office computers still have access to files stored on my home computers?

[ghosthunter]

Do you have DHCP service turned on with router 3?

Also,

Can you simply connect Router 3 to Router 1? This would help speed up your LAN.

[boybi]

DHCP is turned off in routers 2 & 3.

Router 1 is beside my computer. I need router 2 to be able to reach router 3.

[oj88]

You can:

1. Secure the plugs on all routers with zip ties or duct tape, or
2. On the office Windows clients, you can statically assign the IP address, subnet mask, gateway and DNS entries in the Alternate configuration tab.

You most likely wouldn't want to turn on the DHCP server on Router 3, since the gateway IP address it will advertise is itself, and not Router 1. But in the off-chance that you can define the gateway on the DHCP server on Router 3, then this would be the best solution next to #1 above. So, for Router 1, you can set the range of IP addresses it can issue via DHCP from say, 192.168.x.51 - 100 and on Router 3; 192.168.x.101 - 150, depending on how many computers you have on either buildings. The two DHCP servers (Routers 1 and 3) should not overlap or you'll have duplicate IP issues.

[ghosthunter]

DHCP is turned off in routers 2 & 3.

Router 1 is beside my computer. I need router 2 to be able to reach router 3.

You can turn on the DHCP on router 3 but assign it a different IP group/range.

Example:
Router1 group: 192.168.1.X
Router2 group: 192.168.2.X
Router3 group: 192.168.3.X

Also on router 3, simply assign the IP address of router 1 as it's gateway.

This would let any PCs connecting to router 3 to get a "local" IP (from router 3) yet still get internet from router 1.

[oj88]

You can turn on the DHCP on router 3 but assign it a different IP group/range.

Example:
Router1 group: 192.168.1.X
Router2 group: 192.168.2.X
Router3 group: 192.168.3.X

Also on router 3, simply assign the IP address of router 1 as it's gateway.

This would let any PCs connecting to router 3 to get a "local" IP (from router 3) yet still get internet from router 1.

Just a note. If you're using a 24-bit mask (255.255.255.0) which is usually the default subnet mask on most router's LAN configuration, that won't work. You need to use a 22-bit masks or lower.

[boybi]

Just a note. If you're using a 24-bit mask (255.255.255.0) which is usually the default subnet mask on most router's LAN configuration, that won't work. You need to use a 22-bit masks or lower.

How to do the 22-bit mask?

[oj88]

255.255.252.0

[sage99]

since you mentioned the problem is with the connection to your DHCP server, you can try checking if there's lease time option in your DHCP server to modify the lease time of your ip address to clients, normally, default is 8 hours, you can try to adjust it to suit your needs.

[wowiesy]

may connection issue ba between router 2 and router 3? bakit naka wireless bridge? distance? magkatapat na building? impossible to connect router 3 wan port to router 2 lan ports through lan cable?

i'm curious... I have a network design in mind, but I'm not sure if it would be better... but i think the design in my mind is dependent kung pupuwedeng connect by wire (lan cable) yung router 2 to router 3...

and, kung may issues in using lan cable to connect router 3 to router 2, curious din ako anong brand ng routers ang gamit mo at kaya mag wireless bridge?

[12vdc]

^^ na curious din ako sa bridge segment, parang ad hoc wireless.

The problem seems to be easily resolved by using static ip. If you really want DHCP at the office, try inserting another router after Router3-using different network-IP over the LAN.

[boybi]

Router 2 & 3 cannot be connected by LAN cable. May thread ako dati dito asking about external LAN cable, masyadong mahal and delikado sa lightning ang mga sagot sa thread ko.

My office is across the street from my house. Router 1 is in my room which is not facing the office so I need another router (router 2) that will have line of sight with router 3.

I don't have a proglem with DHCP per se. My problem is, there are times that the plug of router 2 gets unplugged accidentally, sometimes by the maids or the kids. If this happens before the computers in the office are turned on, then the office computers won't be assigned IP addresses, and they cannot see the server nor connect to the internet.

[ghosthunter]

Router 2 & 3 cannot be connected by LAN cable. May thread ako dati dito asking about external LAN cable, masyadong mahal and delikado sa lightning ang mga sagot sa thread ko.

My office is across the street from my house. Router 1 is in my room which is not facing the office so I need another router (router 2) that will have line of sight with router 3.

I don't have a proglem with DHCP per se. My problem is, there are times that the plug of router 2 gets unplugged accidentally, sometimes by the maids or the kids. If this happens before the computers in the office are turned on, then the office computers won't be assigned IP addresses, and they cannot see the server nor connect to the internet.

Have you tried (right click) "repair" option (in Windows) when trying to reconnect to your disconnected LAN?

[boybi]

Tried it. Won't work.

I'll have to go back to the house to reconnect the unplugged router to have Internet access again. Although the network in the office side won't be affected if the router 2 was unplugged after all the computers in the office have already logged in.

[ghosthunter]

Tried it. Won't work.

I'll have to go back to the house to reconnect the unplugged router to have Internet access again. Although the network in the office side won't be affected if the router 2 was unplugged after all the computers in the office have already logged in.

You have no choice but to secure the router's power cord and plug so that it won't get pulled out easily.

Maybe even getting a UPS if you get that paranoid.

[oj88]

Worst case, as soon as the wireless bridge is up, issue the following commands on all office PCs so you wouldn't have to reboot them:

ipconfig -release
ipconfig -renew

You can also put them in a batch file and place it as a shortcut on the desktop on all office PCs. Instruct your staff to double-click on the icon to refresh/restore the IP settings. For more information: http://stephensulzberger.wordpress.c...ase-and-renew/

[Horsepower]

Secure the plug. Firmly. You can use glue, duct tape, screws, specialized type of plugs etc.

[wowiesy]

I haven't read through all the material on dd-wrt, but it seems my original idea wouldn't fit in the model you have..

pag isipan ko pa.. but the suggestion above to really secure the outlet is very practical and doable.. latag lang ng cable and extension na talagang maayos, para maiwasan yung unnecessary na mabatak yung saksakan...

i would also recommend assigning a fixed IP address for the server (nabanggit mo you have servers sa office side ng LAN).. at least that way you have something definite na sure ka lagi yun ang ip address...

[boybi]

How to assign fixed IP?

[wowiesy]

earlier you mentioned that router 1 is the one giving the IP addresses... if your ip range being used is 192.168.A.xx - 192.168.A.zz, then the ip address of that server should be an address outside of the range of A.xx and A.zz, and also not the same as the ip addresses of router 2 and router 3...

kung windows based ang server mo (NT, 2k3, etc), you can go to Start -> Settings -> Control Panel -> Network Connections -> Local Area Connection -> Properties -> TCP/IP -> Properties

You set the IP address and the subnet mask (same subnet mask as that on your dhcp server on your router 1).