Connecting to an ethernet switch

tonyo · 15-11-2005, 15:49

Has anybody tried with any success to connect their NTL modem to an ethernet switch as opposed to a router. Itried and can ping the modem but I can't get to the internet.

SMHarman · 15-11-2005, 16:03

You should be able to, however as it does not have a DCHP client involved you will not be able to use more than one device connected to your internet connection.

15-11-2005, 16:04

Found this, if it helps:

If your Ethernet router only has 1 network port, or you want to connect more devices to the network than there are available ports, an Ethernet switch/hub can be used in combination with a crossover cable to extend the size of your network. A point to note is that a crossover cable usage is dependent on the LAN switch. Many LAN switches either have a separate uplink port, or auto-detect polarity on its ports. Therefore in many cases, a normal “straight” RJ45 cables as opposed to a crossover cable is needed

tonyo · 15-11-2005, 16:33

I tried plugging in to the uplink port and can ping the modem (192.168.100.1) but I still can't get internet

Neil · 15-11-2005, 16:36

Moving to Computers & IT forum.

http://www.cableforum.co.uk/board/sh...ad.php?t=31794

MovedGoalPosts · 15-11-2005, 17:31

Obvious thing is to swithc everything off, allows a reset, then power up.

The big question though is why do you want a switch between modem and PC? You can only have one powered on device on your network at any one to with such a configuration. That means the switch is just consuming power for no benefit of added conectivity.

If you need more than one device on a hmoe network, and don't want a router, then you should connect you main PC direct to the modem, add a second network card to the main PC. connect that to the switch, then connect other PCs and stuff to the other switch ports. Use internet connection sharing to set up internet access on anything other than the main PC. All PCs should be part of the same Windows workgroup, and depending on the main PC's functionality, you may need to give all secondary PCs fixed IP addresses. The Main PC would need to be on for any other PC to get internet access.

SMHarman · 15-11-2005, 17:35

Quote:

Originally Posted by atlantis

Found this, if it helps:

[COLOR=black]If your Ethernet router

She has a switch not a router so there is no DCHP server in the process.

Does your Hub have an uplink that needs to be connected to the CM rather than any old port?

Have you switched everything off and on again. Is the Hub intelligent, does it have a MAC address and the CM has gone and registered that as the device that can access the internet, not your PC?

Can you access the CM status page as well as ping it

tonyo · 15-11-2005, 22:26

Rob C: I do have several PCs on my home network and was hoping to use the switch that I have instead of investing in a router. I currently do have two network cards and a shared internet connection, but I was hoping I could directly address the modem through the switch so as not to have internet access dependent on one machine (read: mine... the one I tend to crash most).

SHHarman: Not sure what you mean by CM. However I did make the (sometimes) fatal error of not resetting/powering off all devices. I'll try that tomorrow.

15-11-2005, 22:34

Quote:

Originally Posted by tonyo

Rob C: I do have several PCs on my home network and was hoping to use the switch that I have instead of investing in a router. I currently do have two network cards and a shared internet connection, but I was hoping I could directly address the modem through the switch so as not to have internet access dependent on one machine (read: mine... the one I tend to crash most).

SHHarman: Not sure what you mean by CM. However I did make the (sometimes) fatal error of not resetting/powering off all devices. I'll try that tomorrow.

In my opinion, if you are sharing pc's on an internet connection, you need a router - it is a necessity, not an 'investment' - make sure whatever you get has a 100Mb WAN option - or at least 10Mb full duplex

MovedGoalPosts · 16-11-2005, 01:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by tonyo

Rob C: I do have several PCs on my home network and was hoping to use the switch that I have instead of investing in a router. I currently do have two network cards and a shared internet connection, but I was hoping I could directly address the modem through the switch so as not to have internet access dependent on one machine (read: mine... the one I tend to crash most).

Fundamentally, the Cable Modem can only comunicate with one "device" at a time. It will only see the first computer connected. Any others are simply ignored.

For "device" read computer, game console, router.

A switch is basically a junction box. A signal is received from one cable and sent to all the other cables, and thus devices connected to the ends of those cables.

Each "device" is identified by it's specific IP address. This, in simple terms is an electronic code. The modem is programmed to look for a "device". The first one it finds answering it, will be allocated an IP address. The modem will then expect to communicate only with that IP address. Other devices may send their own signals saying they want an IP address too, or if programmed they may send signals announcing their IP address. The modem won't be listening.

The router works by being the device that connects to the modem. The router converses withthe modem and the modem gives the IP to the router. Thus the modem thinks it is only dealing with the router, and knows nothing of the network on the other side of the router.

The router is an intelligent device. It sees the devices connected on it's Local network (LAN) and has the programming and electronics to speak to more than one device on the LAN, allocating each LAN device it's own IP. Thus when messages are received from the internet the modem sends it the the only device it knows of, the router, and the router then interrogates the message, works out which LAN device want's it and sends it on it's way.

Internet connection sharing, effectively makes your main PC act as a router. Of course you don't have to have your biggest and best machine doing this. In fact a lesser used machine is best in this role, acting as the server for your network. That frees the best machine, your workstation for all it's gaming stuff.

Realistically, for most people, as home users, a small router is by far the easiest, option.