Router connections question:

[the FooL]

For something link the Linksys router with DHCP capabilities.
(4 or 8 port version S...81)

I have 3 static IP's from my ISP, which is doing PPPoE.

I take it 1 of these IP's will be assigned to the router
if I make it a DHCP server.
The question is, can I have 2 computers using the other 2 static IP's beconnected to the router, without using it as anything other than a hub, and have 2 other computers plugged into it, only they are using the router as the DHCP server and gateway etc?

ie. 2 computers visible to the outside world, and 2 computers sharing that third IP for peeking into the outside world.

lastly, will the 4 computers still be able to see each other?

Thanks.
Pretty much, I think I need this type of setup to get the broadband adapter for my Dreamcast behaving nicely.

 

[crazychicken]

WHY DO YOU BUY THREE IPS??
just buy 1 ip, give it to a router, and then split the connection that way. this way, your comps can still all see each other, as well as be online

 

[the FooL]

Some of the computers need to be seen from the outside, like when I'm at work and need to get something.

From what I've seen, only one computer can be exposed simply.
Trying to expose another means I have to set up some funky port mapping.

 

[Russ]

<< The question is, can I have 2 computers using the other 2 static IP's beconnected to the router, without using it as anything other than a hub, and have 2 other computers plugged into it, only they are using the router as the DHCP server and gateway etc? >>



Yes.



<< ie. 2 computers visible to the outside world, and 2 computers sharing that third IP for peeking into the outside world. >>



No. Because of routing considerations it won't work. Any external connection will go to the IP assigned to the router. In order for it to go anywhere past that point, it would have to be port forwarded to one of your other IP addresses, which would mean that you've wasted an IP address.

You can, however, bypass the router with a switch for the two machines that you want to assign the static IP address to. You'd run your net connection (DSL or cable modem) to the uplink port on the switch.

Then run a patch from a standard port on the switch to the WAN port on the router. Then run Cat5 from two of the ports on the switch to the two systems assigned the static IPs. Have the other two systems plugged in to the router.

You can see what I'm talking about in the network diagram for my shop. (90K Word Doc).



<< lastly, will the 4 computers still be able to see each other? >>



This, I'm not sure of. In my case, I have two NICs in the system that I have assigned my WAN addresses to. The second NIC is on the internal net, so in my case I can access all the others. But, with only a single NIC assigned a WAN address?

I'm sure there must be some way to setup the routing table to make it work, but it might be a major security risk.

Russ, NCNE

 

[the FooL]

I looked over your diagram and I think I understand it.
One last question is:

Is it possible to replace the switch the DSL modem is connected to and make it a HUB?

A. DSL Modem (Efficient Networks 5260 DSL Modem [Bridge])
B. Hub
C. Router (DHCP Server, eg. Linksys BEFSR41)
D-E. PC's
F. Dreamcast


A -> B -> C,D,E
C -> F

Where C, D, and E are assigned the static IP's I have.

Thanks Russ.

 

[Hoober]

I've got two ISP's and four computers... need two for online gaming. Anyway, I've got my cable modem plugged into a hub, and one of the computers plugged directly into the hub. Its using one of the ISP's.

I've also got the router plugged into the hub just like I would have plugged another computer into it. Then I've got the other three computers connected to the router. You can't use two ISP's through a router. You have to split off the connection sooner. I'd recommend the hub.

 

[Russ]

the FooL,

Sure, a hub will work. But, unless you already have one laying around, get a switch. They are only a few dollars more, and the technology is better.

Russ, NCNE

 

[Hoober]

Yeah, but if you're just going to be using the switch for an internet connection, not sharing files from computer to computer through it, then you really don't need to spend the extra money on a switch because you won't need the speed. Also, there are hubs around with built in switches that change from 10 to 100 Mbs. Click here for example.

 

[Russ]

<< Also, there are hubs around with built in switches that change from 10 to 100 Mbs >>



A hub with a built-in switch would be a switch. The 10/100 feature has nothing to do with switching technology. That means only that the hub will work with both 10Base and 100Base.

Russ, NCNE

 

[RanDum72]

A switch can also automatically switch between 10 or 100mbs operation. You can mix and match 10mbs NIC's with 100mbs NIC's in the same switch. Switches also enable duplex operation where you can send/receive at the same time. Data collisions are also almost non existent in switches when using two or more PC's doing heavy data transfers. I would go with a switch.