Belkin 5 Port Switch IP Problem
 

Using a Belkin 5 Port Ethernet Switch to share my 10mb broadband connection between my 2 pc's. So far only one PC is able to use the connection at a time and the other has IP Problems. When I say problems I mean it doesn't connect and when I 'cmd' and 'ipconfig' I get a invalid IP address back (169.) I've tried doing the old 'ipconfig /release' and 'ipconfig /renew' but it comes back with the famous message 'unable to contact your DHCP server'.

I have tried swapping the cables around, updating the NIC drivers, reinstalling Windows XP on one of them, unplugging things and restarting them, Using the Winsock fix. Nothing has worked.

The switch will only let me use one PC on the net at a time and it appears to be which ever one is switched on first (not much of a switch) Could it be that the switch I have purchased is simply not up to the job and I need something more substantial?

Please advise as I'm going insane...:dunce:

Re: Belkin 5 Port Switch IP Problem
 

have you got a DHCP server setup on your network?

Thanks

Re: Belkin 5 Port Switch IP Problem
 

Ah. No... I'm going to sound stupid here: but now you've lost me. I was told by somebody that all I needed to do was buy the switch, chuck the cables in switch everything on and hey presto... I can play COD online while the wife shops for shoes on ebay.

What is a DHCP server?

Re: Belkin 5 Port Switch IP Problem
 

I'm afraid you've bought the wrong thing :(

A switch is a device for expanding existing networks, such as in an office, but doesn't have the ability to share a home broadband.

What you need is a Cable Router. This looks like a single network connection as far as NTL/TW is concerned, but shares that single connection with the four internal ports (and/or wireless).
If you don't need wireless and you are on NTL/TW broadband, something like this or this is what you need.

Re: Belkin 5 Port Switch IP Problem
 

Hi Aragorn... thanks for the advice, and it's the same conclusion I reached. The missus has been and bought the second router you linked to, this morning, so I will report back when all is well this evening if I get it up and running... thanks again.:)