Need some help with getting home network sorted out

[BaggerX]

I need to figure out how get my home network sorted out so that I can have all my devices connected and on the same network. I just need to know if I'm on the right track and if anyone has any advice that might help.

My issues are:
1. The house is wired for Ethernet, which runs to a wiring panel where the cable modem is. The cable modem (Time Warner device) only has 3 active Ethernet ports. So I was only able to connect 3 rooms to it (there are 3 more rooms I'd like to connect as well).
2. My wireless router (Netgear N900) is currently configured for DHCP, so devices that are connected to it can't see devices connected to the wired network.

I'm thinking I need to set up my router as a wireless access point for my wired home network, and I'll just need to find some info on how exactly to do that. I'm not sure what to do about getting the additional rooms connected. Can I just connect multiple rooms to a small switch and then run that to a port on the cable modem?

Some additional background info:
My wireless router resides in a different place than the cable modem. The modem is in a closet where the wiring panel is, and the wireless router is in a central upstairs location since we get better coverage with it there. I have a small NAS device connected to a switch in one of the rooms as well, and I'd like for wireless devices to be able to access it. This is probably the main driver for making these changes.

I'm also thinking of replacing the existing Time Warner modem with a Motorola SB6141 (since Costco has great return policy if anything is wrong with it), but have also been looking around for other options.

Any help would be appreciated!

 

[IndyColtsFan]

You need to add a switch to add additional rooms. Something like this would work:

http://www.amazon.com/TRENDnet-Unman...rendnet+switch

The wired and wireless computers should be able to see one another assuming that the wired network is connected to the wireless router at some point (or both are connected to the same switch) and they're on the same subnet (assume that the router is handling DHCP for both networks). That's the simplified explanation; there may be additional factors to consider.

 

[boomerang]

I think in this case the Modem and the Router are both doing DHCP which is why not all of his devices can see each other. I've retyped twice a step by step and ditched it both times. Getting this setup is not that difficult but it can be a little time consuming and I find trying to type out a step by step to be a difficult task as I get too detailed and try to cover every different scenario. I think he essentially has a wired network and a wireless network and neither are able to communicate with the other.

I guess I would ask first BaggerX, do you know how to log in to both the TW Modem and the Router? Settings will need to be changed on one or possibly both. Being able to log in to both is step #1. If you can, tell us what the IP addresses are for both devices and what IP range the Modem is set up to assign.

 

[BaggerX]

I think in this case the Modem and the Router are both doing DHCP which is why not all of his devices can see each other. I've retyped twice a step by step and ditched it both times. Getting this setup is not that difficult but it can be a little time consuming and I find trying to type out a step by step to be a difficult task as I get too detailed and try to cover every different scenario. I think he essentially has a wired network and a wireless network and neither are able to communicate with the other.

I guess I would ask first BaggerX, do you know how to log in to both the TW Modem and the Router? Settings will need to be changed on one or possibly both. Being able to log in to both is step #1. If you can, tell us what the IP addresses are for both devices and what IP range the Modem is set up to assign.

You're correct. Both are doing DHCP, which seems to be the problem. I don't think I've ever tried to login to the TW modem, so I'll have to try that when I get home. I can login to the router though. I'll get those IP addresses/ranges and post them when I get home. Thanks!

@IndyColtsFan
Thanks for the switch suggestion. I'll have to pick one of those up.

 

[boomerang]

You're correct. Both are doing DHCP, which seems to be the problem. I don't think I've ever tried to login to the TW modem, so I'll have to try that when I get home. I can login to the router though. I'll get those IP ranges and post them when I get home. Thanks!

@IndyColtsFan
Thanks for the switch suggestion. I'll have to pick one of those up.

Based on the layout you have, I think the hot setup for now would be to have your Modem (and it's really a Modem Router combo, but let's make life easier and call it a Modem 🙂) do all the DHCP.

From a wired computer you should be able to log in to the Modem if you know the IP and the username and password. You won't be able to reach it from a wireless device. I should add that you more than likely won't be able to access it from a device wired to the Router either. Make your life simple and hardwire a laptop to the Modem if you don't have a desktop already wired to it.

I concur that you will need a switch eventually. It will reside in your wiring closet. You will want to make sure it has enough ports to provide a connection to the rooms you desire and perhaps with a few spare ports for future expansion. One port will be used to connect to the Modem so keep that in mind.

Moving to a SB6141 is going to change some things but I think it's best not to muddy the waters at this point.

 

[kevnich2]

What you have going on is double NAT. The systems connected directly to your cable modem are essentially the internet to your netgear router. What you want to do is configure the modem for bridge mode, then connect a switch to your netgear router and connect ALL your wired devices to the switch. Then connect one port on the switch to a LAN port on your netgear. The netgear WAN port will connect to LAN 1 on the modem and that's all that will be connected to your modem.

You may need to call your ISP to have your modem put into bridge mode. At that point, it's just a dumb modem with your netgear router doing all the heavy lifting.

 

[kevnich2]

I'm also thinking of replacing the existing Time Warner modem with a Motorola SB6141 (since Costco has great return policy if anything is wrong with it), but have also been looking around for other options.
Any help would be appreciated!

With your netgear router, this would be my recommended course of action, along with a switch with enough ports to handle all of your wired devices. For example if you have any less than 7 devices, get an 8 port switch. If you have any less than 11 devices, go with a 12 port switch. The 6141 is just a modem, which is what you want for your setup.

 

[boomerang]

Remember kevnich2, that he has all his outlets already run to his wiring panel. To do DHCP with his existing Router, he may not be able to utilize his existing wiring without at the very least running an additional wire back to his wiring panel. He has devices across all the floors of his residence.

If he wants to go with his own Modem, which has its own pros and cons, my advice would be to buy a second Router, put it in his wiring panel and then utilize his existing wiring to go from that to his Modem upstairs that he sets up as an AP. Based on his description, he'd still need a switch but may not need an 8 port.

To use his existing Router for DHCP with a replacement Modem, he will need a second wire back to the wiring panel to feed a Switch. Now, he may be able to do just that. But I was operating under the assumption that the room where he has his existing Router has only one wire run to it.

 

[BaggerX]

Thanks for all the replies! :biggrin:

I currently have 7 wired outlets in the house that need to be connected to the modem. As was mentioned, it is a modem/router (and even has wireless, but the wireless speed sucks. Once I get into the admin console for it, I'll probably turn off Wi-Fi).

So it sounds like I'll want to get maybe an 8-port switch to go in the closet with the modem, although if I get a new modem/router that has at least 4 ports already, then I can probably get away with just another 4-port switch. (This would obviously rule out the SB6141, but I was also looking at the Zoom 5352-00-00 modem/router).

Then I need to turn off DHCP on the wireless router upstairs and configure it as an access point (once I find some instructions on how to do this with my router).

This definitely gives me some good direction. I just need to track down the login for the modem, and get the details of configuring the router as an access point worked out.

Thanks!

 

[boomerang]

Right now, you're mixing together two solutions to your problem.

Do you want to get what you have now working, even if it's just temporarily, or do you want to wait until you purchase new hardware and then get everything working together? There is no wrong answer, it's whatever makes you happy.

I have already talked of the first steps towards working with what you have. But this is the first I've heard that your M/R combo is wireless and that you actually are utilizing the wireless. It complicates the situation from the perspective of providing help.

Having said that, the solution I have moved to after using a Comcast provided Modem/Router combo for a year or so is my own modem and my own wireless router. If you're going to buy hardware, I would not buy a combo, get separate pieces.

Make sure the SB6141 is approved by TW. Be aware that you will have to contact them to have it integrated into their network.

Buy the same model Router as you have now. It's a pretty good piece of hardware but I must confess that I lean towards Netgear products. I have never had one let me down. Get the same Router and make sure they are both on the latest firmware for their hardware version.

You will have three ports available with that new Router because you will be connecting to the upstairs Router hardwired. I would get an 8 port switch. The one Indy linked to is a winner. It's inexpensive and with 8 ports it leaves you room to grow. You might not think you'll ever need those extra ports but a year from now you may be thanking yourself for spending the extra few dollars.

Be aware that the potential downside of owning your own Modem is that your provider will be looking for a reason to charge you for a service call if you have problems. You have to weigh if it is worth it to save on the monthly fee. I will bet that you can get just a Modem from TW if you tell them you wish to provide your own Router.

Lots to think about...

 

[kevnich2]

If you want a good long term solution, don't go with a combo modem/router - they suck. My advice is still go with the 6141 and move your netgear wireless router into where your patch panel is so all you're wired connections are in the same area. After this, test wireless signal in your house to make sure you have adaquete coverage. If you don't, you can always locate an additional either standalone WAP in your low coverage area or get another wireless router and disable DHCP and plug one of it's LAN ports into the wall jack and it will provide wireless, as well as ability to use remaining LAN ports for something else.

 

[BaggerX]

Right now, you're mixing together two solutions to your problem.

Do you want to get what you have now working, even if it's just temporarily, or do you want to wait until you purchase new hardware and then get everything working together? There is no wrong answer, it's whatever makes you happy.

I have already talked of the first steps towards working with what you have. But this is the first I've heard that your M/R combo is wireless and that you actually are utilizing the wireless. It complicates the situation from the perspective of providing help.

Having said that, the solution I have moved to after using a Comcast provided Modem/Router combo for a year or so is my own modem and my own wireless router. If you're going to buy hardware, I would not buy a combo, get separate pieces.

Make sure the SB6141 is approved by TW. Be aware that you will have to contact them to have it integrated into their network.

Buy the same model Router as you have now. It's a pretty good piece of hardware but I must confess that I lean towards Netgear products. I have never had one let me down. Get the same Router and make sure they are both on the latest firmware for their hardware version.

You will have three ports available with that new Router because you will be connecting to the upstairs Router hardwired. I would get an 8 port switch. The one Indy linked to is a winner. It's inexpensive and with 8 ports it leaves you room to grow. You might not think you'll ever need those extra ports but a year from now you may be thanking yourself for spending the extra few dollars.

Be aware that the potential downside of owning your own Modem is that your provider will be looking for a reason to charge you for a service call if you have problems. You have to weigh if it is worth it to save on the monthly fee. I will bet that you can get just a Modem from TW if you tell them you wish to provide your own Router.

Lots to think about...

Ahh, sorry. I should have been more clear about that. While the modem does have wireless capability, I don't use it at all. I only use the Netgear router for wireless.

So the question becomes one of whether I:
1. Use the cable modem as the router for the whole network, with the Netgear router as the wireless access point
2. Get a new router to sit between the modem and everything else.

Either way I need to get that 8-port switch so that I can get everything connected.

I also discovered last night that the login/pass that is on the installation form from TW doesn't work to allow me to login to the modem. I may have to call TW to get access to it, or possibly reset the modem to factory settings, but I'm not sure if that will cause problems for me.

 

[BaggerX]

If you want a good long term solution, don't go with a combo modem/router - they suck. My advice is still go with the 6141 and move your netgear wireless router into where your patch panel is so all you're wired connections are in the same area. After this, test wireless signal in your house to make sure you have adaquete coverage. If you don't, you can always locate an additional either standalone WAP in your low coverage area or get another wireless router and disable DHCP and plug one of it's LAN ports into the wall jack and it will provide wireless, as well as ability to use remaining LAN ports for something else.

I'm pretty certain I'll need another WAP since the patch panel is in one corner of the house, and I already have areas that don't get a very good signal. I can give it a try, but I think I'll end up needing to get another router.

Should I get another N900, or is there something more current that would still work well?

 

[kevnich2]

I'm pretty certain I'll need another WAP since the patch panel is in one corner of the house, and I already have areas that don't get a very good signal. I can give it a try, but I think I'll end up needing to get another router.

Should I get another N900, or is there something more current that would still work well?

Seeing as how you already have wiring in your house, you could look at either ubiquiti unifi or OpenMesh AP. The unifi I use myself and they work flawless. These are both plain access points that you can mount either on the ceiling or on the wall. If you can run another cable yourself in your attic, just get a unifi and mount it to the ceiling and run another cat6 to your patch panel and use it that way. I have two in my house and they work great.

Here's the link for one of the newest open-mesh AP's: http://www.open-mesh.com/products/access-points/om2p-hs.html

And here's the ubiquiti unifi: http://www.ubnt.com/unifi/unifi-ap/

 

[alkemyst]

My thoughts would be set the modem to bridge mode.

Configure your router at the modem to act as a DHCP server and put a switch in to handle the drops.

From one of your drops add a WIRELESS ACCESS POINT and serve wireless from the best location for your needs.

Done.

 

[BaggerX]

Seeing as how you already have wiring in your house, you could look at either ubiquiti unifi or OpenMesh AP. The unifi I use myself and they work flawless. These are both plain access points that you can mount either on the ceiling or on the wall. If you can run another cable yourself in your attic, just get a unifi and mount it to the ceiling and run another cat6 to your patch panel and use it that way. I have two in my house and they work great.

Here's the link for one of the newest open-mesh AP's: http://www.open-mesh.com/products/access-points/om2p-hs.html

And here's the ubiquiti unifi: http://www.ubnt.com/unifi/unifi-ap/

Interesting. I'll take a look at those. Thanks!

 

[BaggerX]

Ok, so I did a little shopping around over the weekend, and came up with the following as an upgrade plan to get everything on the same network:

- Replace the current TW modem with a Motorola SB6141 (not technically necessary, but should save money in the long run).
- Move current upstairs wifi router (Netgear N900) to the closet with the modem to handle DHCP.
- Add a new Netgear GS308 switch to connect all of the house drops to the N900 router.
- Add a new Netgear R7000 wifi router upstairs as a wireless access point.

I'm planning to add another NAS device at some point, but will probably just plug it directly into the R7000. So, am I missing anything here? Anything else I need to consider? Hadn't really considered whether I should turn wifi on or off on the N900. Anyone have thoughts on that?