Computer help needed

[sam_gordon]

At my mom & dad's. They have a DSL directly connected to their computer. In order to use my wife's laptop, I brought an eight port switch (no wireless capabilities) and an access point.

I hooked the network line from the DSL modem to the switch and plugged the computer into the switch. Computer internet works fine.

I plugged the access point into the switch, can connect to the access point via wifi from the laptop but get no internet access. Access point is set to get IP address automatically. Also tried forcing the IP address of the WAP to one higher than the parent's pc. Copied the netmask & gateway. No luck.

What am I missing? The IP assigned to the computer is 97.101.221.x. So how do I get the access point to pass internet?

 

[Imzadi]

Is your WAP passworded? You have to give the password to the new computer.

 

[sam_gordon]

Nope. Not a password issue. Laptop CAN connect to the WAP, just can't access the internet.

Looks like Brighthouse might require a home networking plan.

 

[hulagirl87]

I just read your question to DH (computer geek ) He says that you can't. The second computer can't get internet with the current setup. The ISP has to add a second IP address to your account OR you have to have a router. Those are his words. I had no idea what you were talking about

 

[distech]

Typically most ISP's only allow one IP/Machine per line of service (unless you pay more). The way most people get around this limitation is by using a router. The difference between a router and a switch is that a router can be assigned an IP address and then can assign local IP addresses to all the attached devices; switches cannot do this, it just shares the connection. Therefore the flaw in your setup is the switch attached to the modem. Instead of buying a switch and a wireless access point, you should have bought a router with integrated wireless access point. I personally use a Buffalo Technology WHR-HP-G300N.

 

[sam_gordon]

Thanks. It makes sense after an hour or so of banging my head against the screen.

If I would have bought something, it would have been an integrated router/WAP. However, I "borrowed" the switch from work, and borrowed the WAP from a coworker.

I'm hoping when we check into DVC, I can just plug the WAP into the network port and connect to that (it has a DHCP server built in).

 

[jsmith]

there is a way you can make this work-but not with both machines on line at the same time. As others have said most commercial ISPs only allow one MAC to pull an IP per account-so since you are using a layer 2 ( none routing) switch and plugging your inlaws computer into it first the ISP sees their MAC come over the network and assigning it the IP address to it. If you must get your wifes Laptop on line-shut down or unplug your inlaws computer from the switch-reboot the switch to release that MAC from the table in the switch-then plug in your WAP-or plug it directly into the network port. That will allow it to be the MAC that is assigned the IP as well-and your laptop will get an IP via DHCP from the WAP.
Also-unless your WAP is passworded-when you plug it into the network at DVC you will be giving your internet access-that you are paying for-to many of your neighbors-a commercial WAP has a much great broadcast range than a router with an integrated access point intended for home LANs-think the access point in a hotel that has free wireless access.

 

[bicker]

Wireless routers are very inexpensive right now, if you don't care about getting the fastest speed. Right now, on Amazon.com, I see a refurb Netgear for $29.

 

[sam_gordon]

there is a way you can make this work-but not with both machines on line at the same time. As others have said most commercial ISPs only allow one MAC to pull an IP per account-so since you are using a layer 2 ( none routing) switch and plugging your inlaws computer into it first the ISP sees their MAC come over the network and assigning it the IP address to it. If you must get your wifes Laptop on line-shut down or unplug your inlaws computer from the switch-reboot the switch to release that MAC from the table in the switch-then plug in your WAP-or plug it directly into the network port. That will allow it to be the MAC that is assigned the IP as well-and your laptop will get an IP via DHCP from the WAP.
Also-unless your WAP is passworded-when you plug it into the network at DVC you will be giving your internet access-that you are paying for-to many of your neighbors-a commercial WAP has a much great broadcast range than a router with an integrated access point intended for home LANs-think the access point in a hotel that has free wireless access.

Thanks for the tips. I had the WAP passworded before we headed on vacation, but in my "troubleshooting", I set it back to factory default (no password). I'll set it back up with a basic password before we go to WDW.