Hi all,

I have a question about being on multiple networks at the same time.

I have two networks at home, first I'll explain the topology of each of them.

Directly on my internet connection, behind my modem, there is a switch (which functions as a hub I guess). Behind this hub are 2 routers. Each router has a different network under it, with an own DHCP server and configuration.

I'll list the configuration I think you need, do ask more if you need any!

Network1:

Router: 10/100 SMC 7004ABR
LAN IP:192.168.2.1
DHCP range: 192.168.2.111-192.168.2.120

Network2:

Router: 10/100 Linksys WRT54GR
LAN IP:192.168.3.1
DHCP range: 192.168.3.111-192.168.3.120

Now, the linksys router has 2 wireless clients (but this is of no matter in this case I guess)
The wired router has 1 wired client (which is on a fixed ip address).

Now I have my computer, another, I didn't mention it before, which is connected on both networks with 2 nic's.

For network1 I set myself on a fixed ip 192.168.2.101, for network 2 I'm on 192.168.3.101.
The subnet masks and gateways are set correctly for each one of them.

Now I want to use internet via network1 (because on network2 the internet is slower because of the crap router), but I want to be able to view shares and share myself on both networks (windows share)

How would I accomplish that?

Thanks in advance,

LethPhaos

(P.S. the networks are functioning allright, even with me on both of them, but I don't know which one gives me internet. I can only see shares network1.)

EDIT: I'm on wired connections
EDIT2: computers on network2 CAN copy from my windows shares and I see the computers of network 1 AND 2 in my network places (except for 1 computer on network2, but this could be caused by it's firewall I guess) so that fixes one of my 2 questions. Only question remaining: which network am I using for internet, network1, network2 or both?

Another question that I came up with, is it possible to share a folder only on one of the 2 networks?

EDIT3: by dns'ing myself on irc I found out I'm using network1 for internet, as I wanted. Will I always be or will I be using the one that is first available when I boot?

ScottGem

First my question is WHY are you doing this? Second, I'm surprised that it works. Unless your carrier provides multiple IPs, the switch (a switch is a hub with more intelligence) should only allow the first network powered up to get an IP. I don't see how the switch can share the IP. Or how the switch will know to where to route packets it receives from your broadband modem.

Second, Your 2 networks are on different subnets since you have different values in the 3rd quadrant. It would be easier if they were on the same quadrant, you can still use different IP ranges for the different routers.

But, why not just connect everything to the Linksys. If you need more ports, then plug the switch into the router.

LethPhaos

My ISP provides me 2 IP addresses, that's why both routers work trough the switch (which is used as a hub in this case)

I need to be on 2 routers because the wireless won't reach the pc's that need wireless if i put it in here with the other router, and I want to be on the other router because it is more stable.

Both routers have DHCP enabled, that's why I put them on different subnets. It is more easy for me to understand my own networks this way.

Everything works, I hope I explained it so you understand anything of what I'm typing here ^^

I still have 2 questions though:

1. How can I force that I will use internet through network1 every time I reboot (because it is more stable)
2. Can I, and if yes, how can I, make windows shares that are different for both networks?

ScottGem

Do you pay extra for the extra IP? Also, you need to understand that a switch IS a hub, but with intelligence. A hub broadcasts data packate to each node on the network and leaves it up to the PC to decide whether the packet was meant for it. A switch sends the packet just to the machine its meant for.

You can daisy chain the routers and just use the wireless as an access point. That's how I have my system setup. My cable modem goes into my wired router and then I use the Uplink port to connect my wireless router. I then disable DHCP on the wireless and use it just as an access point. That would simplify your setup.

LethPhaos

No, the extra IP is included in my subscription.

I've tried the solution you provide (not with this linksys but with another router in the past), it should work indeed, but back then it didn't :/ and now I'm a little afraid of trying it again with this new wireless router. Maybe once in the future when I have some time to spare and no-one is disturbed by my attempts .

Thanks for your help!

Still, the 2 other questions remain unanswered Anyone?

Oh and a third one: Because of the materials my house was built in (thick concrete with lots of metal bars in it) my wireless loses connection every once in a while, is there a way to resume downloading an incomplete file someone was copying from a windows share while it disconnected?

Thanks for any help!

ScottGem

There are Download Managers that will do that for you. Do a search for them at places like tucows.com or download.com.

As for the rest, there are a couple of other people here, like Ben and cajalat who may be able to help more.

I would also check with your carrier. generally ther is an extra charge for an extra IP. It may not be listed separately, but you might save if you only use one.

LethPhaos

No, the extra IP is free, don't worry, I'm not a total noob

I've checked a couple of download managers and neither of them could be used with windows shares, only ftp or http downloads.

ScottGem

Sorry I didn't pick up on that. Shouldn't take you so long to copy a file across the network that you can't re do it.

LethPhaos

Well, files are about 700MB each, and the wireless connection doesn't go faster than +/- 600kb/s, experience shows it takes around 20 minutes for a file top be copied

LethPhaos

when I booted this morning my internet came from network2, how can i force it to come from network1 everytime i boot?

EDIT:
found this:
To check the selection order of the network cards:
Right click "My Network Places" & choose "properties"
Click the "advanced" menu from the top of the window and choose "advanced settings"
This will show you the connection order of your network cards.
Try changing the order around and testing

gonna try it, I'll post back if it works every time I reboot