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Thanks for the reply.<br>
<br>
Let's start from the beginning because it seems that my networking
knowledge has lots of gaps. <br>
At home my setup is as follows:<br>
Virgin media broadband modem is connected to a linksys router. The
linksys router (192.168.1.1) is the default gateway and DNS server for
some computers/network drive/network printer. All the devices connected
to the router have static ip addresses (192.168.1.x) with dns server
and default gateway being 192.168.1.1.<br>
<br>
My problem in that office is that there are two network sockets in the
walls coming from their routers/switches/godknowswhat. I don't know
what it is connected to. I set both computers to automatic discovery of
network (dhcp). However, if I think of any kind of private network,
I'd have to assign them static IP addresses. I did it but could not
connect to each other (ping/ssh, etc) I don't know what is going behind
the walls.<br>
<br>
1. I know there are different types of routers (virgin media cable
router vs. a router for BT broadband) I assume they will have something
based on BT line so what kind of a router would I need? Is the cisco
one recommended by you good for it? Would it work if I connected it to
the wall socket and create a private network connecting all the devices
to it?<br>
<br>
<br>
2. SWITCHES - my problem in understanding this is that when it comes to
routers you've got the default gateway/dns server (in my case at home
192.168.1.1), but what about switches? You can't do it, so if I connect
computers/network drives/printers to a switch it's not going to work as
I'd have to assign gateway on the devices, wouldn't I? <br>
<br>
They said thay could set up us with external static ip (some virtual
network or something) but we don't need it at the moment. Next year
we'll move the website from a hosting company to the office, but for
the time being there's no need for any servers going outside.<br>
I haven't spoken to any IT technicians over there yet. <br>
<br>
When I asked my friend to speak to them about the availability of
static IP addresses. They automatically set something up and sent an
invoice:<br>
<i><br>
</i><i>"This is for a network switch that you now have in the comms
room. This
is necessary for networking your broadband in the office, we have
provided this on the basis that you do not have one, if you would like
to provide your own one please let me know and I can swap them over."
<br>
</i><br>
As it was quite expensive and we don't need the ip at the moment, my
friend cancelled it. That's what he received:<br>
<br>
<i>"Please find attached a credit note for the networking switch.
<br>
We will be removing this shortly so you will need to make your own
arrangements for networking as you will only have one connection in the
office."
<br>
</i><br>
After my friend complained that there's only one socket in the wall
that was connected to the internet. He received the following:<br>
<br>
<i>"We are able to put another connection into the office but you need
to
be aware you still will not have a network in place and therefore will
not be able to use facilities such as IP addresses, backup or file
sharing. I am happy to set up another direct connection at no charge
but think it would be best for you to speak to your IT people first as
two direct connections and no network my cause you problems in the
future.
<br>
</i><br>
<i>Please let me know if you would like me to programme another direct
connection.
"<br>
<br>
</i>I'm not sure I understand how their network is organised. I need to
contact them. The problem is that during the week I can't go there and
during the weekend no staff is present.<br>
<br>
TIA<br>
regards<br>
martin<br>
<br>
On 01/14/2010 12:43 PM, sean wrote:
<blockquote cite="mid:4B4F1169.10209@wmin.ac.uk" type="cite">
<pre wrap="">Martin wrote:
</pre>
<blockquote type="cite">
<pre wrap="">Let's not bicker and argue about who killed who:)
Without an additional computer functioning as a server, creating a
private network (LAN?) would be difficult, wouldn't it?
</pre>
</blockquote>
<pre wrap="">no. as was said yesterday, by john, give them ip addresses similar to
192.168.1.2 and 192.168.1.3, subnet mask of 255.255.255.0. connect with
a crossover cable, you have a LAN. run servers, run clients, whatever
you want.
a slightly better solution would be to use straight through cables from
the machines to a switch, or a hub. you should be able to find someone
who wants to give away a hub, perhaps ask on this list, or freecycle. as
the number of machines expands using a switch becomes more attractive.
the next step would be to get an internet connection, add a machine to
act as a server connected to the switch/hub. the building may provide
its own internet connection, in which case a cable to the switch/hub
would connect your LAN. if you are going to use a broadband connection
then the supplied 'router' will probably have various extras to provide
a firewall and dhcp, but buying a cisco 837 adsl router from ebay might
be a better choice.
the 837 is considered obsolete by cisco , so they can be bought for £20
on ebay. it does lots more than most broadband routers and will allow
you to connect in 4 workstations, or servers. if you need more
connections add a switch.
search through the gllug email archives and you will find lots of
discussions about various servers, plus discussions about what spec
equipment is required to act as a server.
regards
sean
</pre>
</blockquote>
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