• We’re currently investigating an issue related to the forum theme and styling that is impacting page layout and visual formatting. The problem has been identified, and we are actively working on a resolution. There is no impact to user data or functionality, this is strictly a front-end display issue. We’ll post an update once the fix has been deployed. Thanks for your patience while we get this sorted.

help with setup...lan within a lan confusing me

Z

Zugzwang152

Lifer
here's the problem: i just bought a new d-link di-604 router to connect my 2 computers to the internet through my dorm LANs connection. I have it sharing the internet okay, although, through the flashing lights on the router and both NICs, it looks like the router is sending the same packets to each computer, much as a hub would..this router supposedly has a built-in switch, shouldn't it not be doing that? Also, how do I set it up so that it can be seen on the outer dorm LAN without erasing all the firewall settings (many are default, and undeletable). I couldnt find an option to completely disable the firewall, the only option available is to expose 1 computer to the outside internet..i want to be able to expose them all, or in this case, 2 of them...any help would be appreciated, i'm a networking newbie, sorry 😱
 
The blinking lights that look like its being sent to both computers is most likely the RIP in action.

As for disabling the firewall, I don't know what you mean? Where is the firewall located/installed?

To make service running on your computers accessible to the internet you have to forward the packets to the computer. I assume you are using a NAT/PAT router.
 
its a hardware firewall built into the router. i didnt notice any option to completely disable all the firewall rules, without actually deleting them...i was wondering whether there was a windows option or something...what is the RIP? thanks for the help.
 
you shouldnt need a router inside a shool LAN. Linksys can usually be set up as a Gateway or a Router. Try using the Router setting instead. Another way is to skip the router and uplink the switch to the netwrok connection and use the switch only.
 
I am afraid you have a misconception about what Cable/DSL Routers can do for you.

The Entry Level Routers main activity is the Network Address Translation (NAT) i.e. to make sure that each computer on our internal Network should get the Internet info. that belongs to it.

To make it inexpensive and uniform the implementation of the NAT is done by setting it so that it reacts only to requests coming from the inside of the network.

As a result of this behavior i.e. reaction to the inside only, the NAT also act as a "Firewall", since it is not letting in info. unless it was requested from the inside.

As a result you can not disable the ?Firewall? no Firewall means no NAT. No NAT means ?Use Switch only?.

In order to ?expose? the computers you need independent incoming IPs. I.e. the school has to give you more then one account.
 
ouch yeah, i was hoping i could use this router as a generic switch until i go back home where i need the functionality for a real cable or dsl account...so no workarounds huh? anyone else? thanks for the info...
 
You can use it as a generic switch.

Plug only one of your computers to a regular port on the Router. Configure the computer Network setting with an IP that is in the Router?s IP address band (Router?s config address should be in the manual). E.g. if the Router is 192.168.0.1 configure the computer to 192.168.0.2

Access the Router?s menu; disable the DHCP and any other special setting.

Plug your Scholl LAN and your computers all to the regular ports on the Router, leave the WAN port open. Configure your computers IPs with the school IPs and you are set.
 
In regard to the flashing lights, computers are constantly sending out packets on the network and most likely there is nothing wrong going on here. If you have Windows PC's, they will ARP for IP's, send out browser packets for workgroup/domain info, send out DHCP packets periodically, etc, etc. A lot of the traffic is broadcast, and therefore, the router will respond when appropriate, especially if you have set up your workstations to use the router as the default gateway.

I'm not familiar with the D-Link 604, but I didn't think that they enabled RIP by default. Routing Information Protocol (RIP) is used by the router to share/learn routing information with neighbor routers that are also running RIP. By default, RIP will send out its full routing table every 30 seconds, so if it truly is turned on, the you have that traffic going too. From a bandwidth perspective, it's negligible on your network, but from a security perspective, you may want to turn it off if you aren't using it.

If you're terribly concerned about what packets are going across your network, you can use a packet capture program to see what's going on (Ethereal is freeware). Keep in mind that since you're on a switch, you will see mostly broadcast traffic.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

Back
Top