Token ring to ethernet router using 2000

[NRaygun]

I'll bet this is a simple one, but...

Where is a good source to research how to configure a multi-homed PC (ethernet and token ring) to route traffic back and forth between two networks?

My company uses token ring and I want to attach a few units via ethernet. I want to have the ethernet devices use services that are on the token ring side (servers, DHCP, etc.).

I started by finding a few M$ Q articles but thought someone out there has a simpler guide.

 

[ProviaFan]

I'm not sure about Windows 2000, but Windows XP Pro makes it very easy to bridge between two network cards. Just check out the "Bridge Connections" option in the context menu for the network cards which will be listed under the Network connections folder.

 

[spidey07]

Routing between ethernet and token ring should be no problem. Assign IP addresses from differnt networks to the interfaces and enable "ip routing" on the 2000 box.

the caveat is performance will be pretty shotty. It will work, and depending on traffic it will work pretty well. but don't expect the 2000 box to route frames very fast.

tricky part is to get the broadcast frames (ala DHCP) across the very basic router in 2000. I think you can enable DHCP forwarding in 2000 server. don't know though. A lot of other things come into play as well such as windows name resolution. Maybe you can describe the network a little more?

 

[NRaygun]

What other info would you need?

The token ring side is the corporate side - DHCP, Class B network, etc.

The ethernet side currently doesnt exist - I'm building it.

I'd like the devices on the ethernet side to operate in the same way as the token ring devices(workstations, printers, etc.), that is, use DHCP, accessible from the token ring side, etc.

The reason for doing this is the room I'm putting the gear in only has 1 drop and I dont have the budget to add more. Unfortunately, the drop is token ring.

 

[L3Guy]

<< My company uses token ring and I want to attach a few units via ethernet. >>


[Flame] IMHO, this is a very bad idea. If it were my network that you were doing this to, I'd be very upset. Also, running a mixed environment is much harder than an all Ethernet or all TR net. Especially if its not all IP based. And if you have to ask ... I apologize in advance if you feel this is too harsh. [/Flame]

You have to find out all the protocols that are running on your system. I am going to WAG that nobody is still running Token Ring unless they have at least one application running that will not port over gracefully. At a minimum, you will need a box that translation bridges as well as routes IP.
Look for NETBEUI and IPX, which were very commonly used on TR. Also, I had a lab visit where the ID-ten-T told me that consultants had developed applications that depended on the 4K MTU of the TR LAN!
There "solution" was to use ATM as a "Magic wire" to fix all their problems. I understand that this was a CLM/CEM for the architect. Point, be especially aware of custom apps.

If my guesses are correct, I would forget ICS. You have a much better chance with Linux Router Project,
or picking up an old 2500 router. Also, you may be able to pick up a Token Ring Switch inexpensively,
which would allow multiple drops while maintaining your environment.

Best of luck;

Doug

 

[NRaygun]

Thanks for the info.

Note the there will be minimal devices on the ethernet side. Our office is one of the last that still uses token ring.

One of the reasons I'm considering a mixed environment is to control acesss. There will only be a printer or two and a server with a client or two - not much.

I'm a little disappointed that nobody has been able to give me a procedure to do what I thought was a simple config!

I might just slap together a Freesco router and be done with it.