more router help

[DJFuji]

Ok i used to have three computers set up on a router with one IP (cable internet). The router is single port, so we plugged the router into a 10/100 hub. Two of the other computers are being used by my roommates. One plays everquest like 24/7 and it won't let him play on the router for some reason so he gets his own IP. How the hell do we hook up him directly to the cable and the rest of us still on the router&hub? It seems that either everyone gets hooked up to the router or NO ONE does and we each buy an IP. Any ideas?

 

[Ladi]

Try forwarding the necessary EQ ports to your roommate's IP through the cable/dsl router. If you don't have any success with that, you can either have your EQ-playing roomie pick up the cost of another IP (since he'd be the only one using it ;p), plug the cable modem into a hub, plug his computer and the router into the hub, and plug the other computers into a hub plugged into the router. (cable modem -> hub (EQ computer) -> router -> hub (other computers) *or* install a second NIC on the EQ-player's computer and run ICS from it (cable modem -> EQ computer -> hub (other puters).

~Ladi

 

[DJFuji]

doh...two hubs..yeah i thought there might be an easier way than that...
the IP fwding doesnt seem to work, at least for now. He already has his own IP so i guess we're going out and buying a second hub for this.

 

[dcorn]

IP Forwarding doesn't work?

NOTE: ICS = Internet Connection Sharing, the IP-'forwarding' software included in Win98SE and Win2k/WinME/WinXP.

It should - try this - on the EQ computer, install two NICs. Plug one into the cable modem, and another into a line leading to your hub (not your router - disable any router functionality, including DHCP, which can mess up your ICS-equipped PC). Connect your two PCs to the hub. Turn on ICS on the EQ PC. Now, the EQ PC can do anything; as long as that PC is on, the other PCs will be able to hit the 'net.

Be happy.

 

[Ladi]

Depending on your cable/dsl router, you could also try placing the EQ computer in DMZ.

~Ladi

 

[DJFuji]

hmm well actually i meant IP fwding isnt working to allow him to play EQ while hooked up to the router. If there is another way to have EQ work WITH the router, that'd be the best solution. He says the computer keeps telling him that it cant connect to the servers when he tries to select his character.

Ive used ICS numerous times before and i hate it. And we have the router hooked up to use DHCP and act as a virtual gateway/server. Since Proxy server is out of the question, it looks like we're down to buying two hubs. If we're going to end up buying another NIC or hub, might as well get a hub so we dont have to rely on his computer for a connection.

 

[dcorn]

I'm shocked you don't like ICS - I think it's dead simple and amazingly easy to get working - it's literally plug and go. The only limitation is that the router PC must remain on for other PCs to get on the net. DHCP, of course, works and is a part of ICS - there's nothing to set up or fiddle with. It's great, AND it's a 'free' part of the OS. Free is good.

http://everquest.station.sony.com/support/connection/firewall_proxy_information.jsp should get you started on how to set up your hardware-based router so it works with EQ. I hope that helps you.

Heck, shoot them an e-mail and see what they say. Also, get the latest firmware for your router, and check their (router's) tech support docs too. EQ is pretty popular; they can probably tell you exactly how to fix the issue.