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Wireless Network Confusion

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7 replies

by akrumel

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Is a broadband router plugged into a wireless router really a network? the reason that I ask this is because I'm having a heck of time trying to get file print sharing to work. I cannot see other computers on my network. With my configuration can you use file and print sharing? I have 2 vista laptops and 1 xp home laptop connected wirelessly.

7 replies

by cg it

equals 2 subnets [or networks].

That's probably why you are having trouble with file and printer sharing.

by oh smeg

It could be the core or a Local Area Network but to really be a LAN there has to be computers connected.

The problem here may result from the way that you have configured the system you should first hardwire a NB to the Broadband Router to set it up and then when that is working disconnect the NB and plug the CAT5 Cable to the Uplink Port of the WiFi Router. Again Plug a CAT % Cable from one of the LAN Ports of the WiFi Device and connect a NB to setup the WiFi Router as per the instructions that come with it.

When this is finished you can disconnect the NB and you should have a working WiFi Connection available. You can test all 3 NB's here to see if they get an Internet Connection. If they do you have a working and correctly configured WiFi Access Point.

From this point on start by running the WiFi Network Setup Wizard on one NB and enable File & Printer Sharing and tel the unit that it connects through the WiFi Access Point. Enable File & Print sharing and that's all that is required. Please Note the WiFi Network Setup Wizard is different to the Network Setup Wizard in XP at least it is found in the main menu under Accessories, Communications so to get to it

Left Click on Start then highlight All Programs and when the next menu appears highlight Accessories, then Communications and then left click on Wireless Network Setup Wizard.

As I haven't setup any WiFi systems on Vista I'm not really sure where their Starting Point is Located but it will be in a similar position.

You should also realize that using a WiFi network is considerably slower than using a hard wired connection and Incredibly Insecure.

Col

by technogeek-1995

Shouldn't he just disable the DHCP Server on the wireless router and only have 1 router assigning IP address. Then it wouldn't matter where connected stuff. Later, in the XP computer, click control panel (classic view), then 'Wireless Network Set Up.' Follow the on screen instructions. Use the Flash Drive to install it on all computers. Then, if it isn't already enabled, enable 'Printer and File Sharing' in Windows Firewall (or what ever firewall you may have). (To enable Control Panel (classic), 'Windows Firewall,' expectation tab. Then "tick" the 'Printer and File Sharing' box.

LET US KNOW...
What is your router's brand and model number?
Make a small network map so we can see how you are connecting it(ie: internet: broadband router, PC; Wireless Router, PC, PC; Switch, PC, PC...etc)

by cg it

and just go from switch to switch.

but then that makes the wirless router a Access point which in my opinion is what he should have gotten in the first place.

2 routers = 2 networks and as such computers connected to the built in switch of 1 router won't be able to talk to computers connected to the built in switch on the other router because their on seperate networks [subnets]. Traffic not destined for the local network is sent to the gateway [WAN port of the router].

by technogeek-1995

Yeah, like I said before, he should go from router port 1 to wireless router port 1 not WAN "uplink" port. He also, like I said before, needs to disable DHCP, which is why we need his router's model code and brand name, so we can tell him how to do it.

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