[Gllug] local backup solution

Thu Jan 14 14:58:52 UTC 2010

On 14/01/10 14:04, Martin wrote:
> Thanks for the reply.
>
> Let's start from the beginning because it seems that my networking 
> knowledge has lots of gaps.
> At home my setup is as follows:
> 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.

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.

>
> 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.

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.

>
> 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?

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.

>
>
> 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?

Switches don't have IP addresses, they are just a mechanism for moving 
data between endpoints. The endpoints have addresses.
>
> 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.
> I haven't spoken to any IT technicians over there yet.
>

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.

> 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:
> /
> //"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."
> /

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.

> As it was quite expensive and we don't need the ip at the moment, my 
> friend cancelled it. That's what he received:
>
> /"Please find attached a credit note for the networking switch.
> 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."
> /

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.
> //
> After my friend complained that there's only one socket in the wall 
> that was connected to the internet. He received the following:
>
> /"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.
> /

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.

> /Please let me know if you would like me to programme another direct 
> connection. "
>
> /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.
>

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.

-- 

Bernard Peek

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