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On 14/01/10 14:04, Martin wrote:
<blockquote cite="mid:4B4F247B.7090106@gmail.com" type="cite">
<meta content="text/html; charset=ISO-8859-1"
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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>
</blockquote>
<br>
This is the right configuration for a network that uses an ADSL/Cable
router to connect local machines to the Internet. What you appear to be
missing in your office is the external connection to the Internet.<br>
<br>
<br>
<blockquote cite="mid:4B4F247B.7090106@gmail.com" type="cite"><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>
</blockquote>
<br>
It's quite likely that those network sockets aren't connected to
anything. The building's network cables will all go to a central point
where there is a patch panel. When they want to connect your office to
some other part of the system they put in a patch cable, one end at the
other end of the cable that ends in you office and the other end to
some other device. That other device might be a network switch or it
might be a phone line. Good practice is to leave unused sockets
completely unconnected. If your offices offer networking services or
switchboard services they will deliver them through those sockets.<br>
<br>
<blockquote cite="mid:4B4F247B.7090106@gmail.com" type="cite"><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>
</blockquote>
<br>
In your particular situation there are two different options. One is to
have a phone line connected and to use an ADSL broadband router in much
the same way that you use the cable router at home. The other is to get
an Internet connection via your landlord's system.<br>
<br>
<blockquote cite="mid:4B4F247B.7090106@gmail.com" type="cite"><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>
</blockquote>
<br>
Switches don't have IP addresses, they are just a mechanism for moving
data between endpoints. The endpoints have addresses.<br>
<blockquote cite="mid:4B4F247B.7090106@gmail.com" type="cite"><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>
</blockquote>
<br>
It sounds as if the landlord is able to offer you a connection to their
internal network and would give you one static IP address. You will
then need some form of router which has two addresses. It will have the
IP address that the landlord gives you on its external port. The second
port will be on your internal network and will have an internal
address: 192.168.1.1 is a typical internal address. From that point
onwards the system will be very much like the system you have at home.<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
<blockquote cite="mid:4B4F247B.7090106@gmail.com" type="cite">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>
</blockquote>
<br>
OK. They have a comms room where all of the internal network cables
meet. That's where the patch-panels will be. I suspect that they don't
actually mean a switch, but a port on one of their switches. <br>
<br>
<blockquote cite="mid:4B4F247B.7090106@gmail.com" type="cite">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></blockquote>
<br>
They have a comms room and they have technical people. Go and talk to
them and explain what you are trying to do. Most techies will be quite
happy to give you advice. Bear in mind though that they are trying to
sell you network services and you don't currently have the expertise to
know what you should buy. It sounds to me as if the Internet connection
is bundled in the price of the office, but I could be wrong.<br>
<blockquote cite="mid:4B4F247B.7090106@gmail.com" type="cite"><i></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>
</blockquote>
<br>
OK. You have an Internet connection. You only need one. That's where
you connect your router, and everything else in your office connects to
that router.<br>
<br>
<blockquote cite="mid:4B4F247B.7090106@gmail.com" type="cite"><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>
</blockquote>
<br>
I'm not working at the moment and I'll be happy to talk to their
technical people and do some explorations for the price of a fish &
chip supper. Let me know if that's of any use to you.<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
-- <br>
<pre class="moz-signature" cols="72">Bernard Peek</pre>
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