Unable to acquire network address
 

Hi,

New to cable broadband. Want to network 2 computers via (hardwire) router.

Set up on one computer works fine.

Experience "Unable to acquire network address ... ltd/no connectivity etc" with the other.

Repair connection seems to work/refresh DNS etc but then 404 when attempt internet connection

Poss problem with DHCP??

Tried ipconfig ... no joy

The settings for the healthy computer are:

autoconfig ip address: [Removed ISP IP]
default gateway: [Removed ISP IP]

Would an option be to manually configure the problem computer based on the healthy configuration?

If so, what would that configuration be, please?

Of course, an easier suggestion would be even more welcome!

Many thanks,
Eponymous1212

Re: Unable to acquire network address
 

:welcome:

I've moved your thread to "Networking".

"Website Discussion" is for discussing the Cable Forum site itself.


The IP you posted was your actual ISP issued IP address, the address your cable modem gets (as such I've removed it for your security).


The PCs' IPs should each be a local IP address assigned by the router - e.g. 192.168.1.2 for one & 192.168.1.3 for the other.


What are the network settings of both PCs?

Re: Unable to acquire network address
 

Matt - Thanks for this

Here is outcome of network diagnostic - forgive me if this is not info intended.

Healthy PC:

default outlook express mail - not configured
default outlook express news - not configured
ie web prox - not configured

network modems [internal modems show-cable modem not picked up]/adaptors/clients passed

Problem PC:

default outlook express mail - failed
default outlook express news - not configured
ie web prox - not configured

network modems [none]/adaptors/clients passed

Hope this helps. If not, please direct me to the specific settings you require

Many thanks,
Eponymous1212

Re: Unable to acquire network address
 

i actually recommend static IP adresses, my network has been alot better with them and its also quicker for when you areconnecting too!

Re: Unable to acquire network address
 

No problem.

Need the Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) settings for each PC's network connection.

(Connection > Properties > Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) > General)

Are they set to obtain an IP automatically, or do they have an IP manually specified?

The same for DNS.


It's easier to have them all on auto, & just let the router dish them out, although as Callumpy said you can set static ones if you want (so long as they're in the right range for the router).


What make/model router is it?

How have you got everything connected?

Cable Modem > Router > PC1
> PC2

?


Is the router set to obtain an IP automatically?


Is its DHCP server enabled so that it can then dish out IPs to the client PCs?

Re: Unable to acquire network address
 

Matt and Callumpy - Thanks

I agree static would be the most reliable solution ... question is how to identify static IP for router - Newlink 5/8 port 10/100 Mbps Fast Ethernet Switch?

Settings - same for both:

IP/DNS auto
DHCP server enabled
Everything connected Cable Modem > Router > PC1 > PC2
Router fully auto [no manual settings]

Once again, many thanks for your help.

Eponymous1212

Re: Unable to acquire network address
 

You've just identified your own problem, you've got a switch not a router.

You need a router to connect multiple PC's to VM broadband service, a switch will not do this.

Re: Unable to acquire network address
 

Yes but he has a modem so it shouldnt really matter

Re: Unable to acquire network address
 

... but the Modem hasn't (and never has done) got any NAT/Firewall/IP Masquerading capabilities which means it WON'T work

Re: Unable to acquire network address
 

So use the NAT/Firewall/IP capabilities on the Switch, if that has any

Re: Unable to acquire network address
 

very unlikely, otherwise it wouldn't be called a switch, not in the domestic market anyway.

Re: Unable to acquire network address
 

err yes it does. the modem gives straight ISP ip's. the router would just have that and then passes local ips to the other pcs

---------- Post added at 09:37 ---------- Previous post was at 09:35 ----------

again a SWITCH/HUB doesnt have anything on it to configure other then say a cisco unit. but dont think you'll have 1 of those.

Epony you would need a router to make it work properly.

Re: Unable to acquire network address
 

Re: Unable to acquire network address
 

Calllum, on the domestic market Switches are layer 2 devices, routers are layer 3.

Just for referenece MAC addresses are layer 2, IP adresses are layer 3.

The only traffic management facilities that a switch has is to only send out traffic on the port that is connected to the device with the MAC address that the traffic is intended for.

If you've no idea what i'm talking about, go to google and read up on the OSI model.

Re: Unable to acquire network address
 

And maybe stop giving advice in an area that you obviously know nothing about? Callumpy, better start reading and studying for let's say 2-3 years first, then come back and post advices in this forum?

Re: Unable to acquire network address
 

In what way do I not know anything about this.

CISCO and CompTIA A+ trained, worked for past 7 years in IT Support, just had our Senior Tech at work(large local authority) look at my original post and he finds nothing wrong with it.

I don't mind not giving advice if it's not appreciated, i'd rather not get into disagreements on forums.

Re: Unable to acquire network address
 

My advice was for Callumpy, just backing you up, mate

Re: Unable to acquire network address
 

hes on about callumpy

Re: Unable to acquire network address
 

oops! Sorry about that! Trying to do too many thing at once.

Have a green REP as an apology

Re: Unable to acquire network address
 

:( i only wanted to help :(

Re: Unable to acquire network address
 

Ok, let's chill out a little please. It's nice for everyone to want to offer advice and assistance to others. Mistakes are made, and we can all get things wrong. Most of us learn from our misunderstandings of the concepts and can only do that when we suggest something that others can then correct.

Confusion about the differences between switches and routers is surprisingly common, especially when even the most basic of networking concepts don't feature in the majority of computer use courses.

Re: Unable to acquire network address
 

Thanks, very few people here that know what they are talking about. I try to ignore posts that are rubbish, but sometimes it comes too much...
and for Rob, we are not heating up, we are just discussing educational needs and possibilities here ;)

Re: Unable to acquire network address
 

The reason i said it didnt matter is cause i had a 4 port VPN which did supply a firewall and NAT, it also could be used as a DCHP. Obviously i didnt need the DCHP bit but i dont have VPN anymore as im selling it!

Re: Unable to acquire network address
 

This is a common problem, as most devices that are sold for home use are a combination of a router and a switch, sometimes a modem and a wireless access point. And when you get a single device, because the outer looks are nearly the same, most people are confused. Sometimes people do need to read the technical data on the device that they buy, and please, ignore anything said by any sales person in any computer store, especially in PC World!!!

Re: Unable to acquire network address
 

Its not even made for home use, it was a business device but it had a intergrated switch

Re: Unable to acquire network address
 

Thank you all for your various explanations and points of view (the finer points of which are out of my depth). What I am able to clarify is:

1. It is definitely a switch
2. Right at the outset Matt picked up that it was “my actual ISP issued IP address, the address your cable modem gets� that was being detected.
3. The switch is fully automatic with no scope for configuration
4. To all intents and purposes I purchased the wrong piece of kit and thank you for enabling me to discover this.

The issue now is to avoid making the same mistake again.

- Is a manual switch box also an option or would I encounter precisely the same problem?
- Could you please suggest any basic routers that are likely to fit the bill?

Thanks again for all your help.
Eponymous1212

Re: Unable to acquire network address
 

Epony, have a look at this router... http://www.ebuyer.com/product/90827 wireless and its Linksys which 99% of the time do supply good kit.

Re: Unable to acquire network address
 

Thank you all for your various explanations and points of view (the finer points of which are out of my depth). What I am able to clarify is:

1. It is definitely a switch
2. Right at the outset Matt picked up that it was “my actual ISP issued IP address, the address your cable modem gets� that was being detected.
3. The switch is fully automatic with no scope for configuration
4. To all intents and purposes I purchased the wrong piece of kit and thank you for enabling me to discover this.

The issue now is to avoid making the same mistake again.

- Is a manual switch box also an option or would I encounter precisely the same problem?
- Could you please suggest any basic routers that are likely to fit the bill?

Thanks again for all your help.
Eponymous1212

---------- Post added at 20:22 ---------- Previous post was at 19:40 ----------

Doc Dutch,

Very many thanks – looks just ticket and excellent value!

Many thanks,
Eponymous1212

---------- Post added at 20:24 ---------- Previous post was at 20:22 ----------

Kpanchev,

Thanks for this – on the question of learning the hard way … my mistake combined with the scope of the forum to help identify the problem has provided a very useful learning curve

On the other hand, PC World was a totally negative experience … and would never touch again with a barge pole … made the fatal mistake of requesting technical assistance on what product to purchase … was sold something totally incompatible and then had insult added to injury when they totally refused to take it back!!

So your advice is strongly endorsed.

Many thanks,
Eponymous1212

Re: Unable to acquire network address
 

Epony, I know that 1 pretty well.... when I used to work for an IT company the amount of peeps I had on the phone that bought a wrong product at PCW... shocking bad service there.

Re: Unable to acquire network address
 

If you have bought something, and it's been missold, it is not fit for purpose and thus the shop has no choice but to give a refund. If necessary I'd sit in the shop until they gave in.

Re: Unable to acquire network address
 

Rob,

Thanks for this.

One problem ... big shop ... absolutely no service ... you could be there for a lifetime!!

Best wishes,
Eponymous1212

Re: Unable to acquire network address
 

In my experience you cannot go wrong with linksys when the ISP is VM, i have never had any problems with their routers and even the most technologically shy person could set them up.

Re: Unable to acquire network address
 

Stokerockscene,

Thanks for this. Have read the reviews and sounds just the ticket!

Many thanks,
Eponymous1212

Re: Unable to acquire network address
 

Thank you everyone for all your help - Linksys Router has resolved problem and is working a treat!!!

Eponymous1212

Re: Unable to acquire network address
 

A router is a switch with those facilities added.