Joining two networks

Forums › LAN (ethernet/Wifi/routers/Bluetooth) › Joining two networks

Ouranos

118 posts

Master Geek

#115037 11-Mar-2013 21:30

My home network is shown in the image below. The problem is that it appears to be two separate networks, so that devices on one side of the wireless router cannot see devices on the other side of the wireless router. My question is: how can I join up the two networks into a single network? I want to do this so that I can transfer files from PC1 to PC3.

Some more detail:
- There are 3 desktop PCs and 1 laptop, all running Windows 7.
- All computers and the TV can connect to the internet.
- All computers can print to the network printer (though PC3 had to be setup manually to connect via the printer's IP address, as it could not find the printer automatically).
- PC1 and PC2 can see each other in the Network and Sharing Centre, but they cannot see PC3.
- PC3 can see nothing beyond the wireless router, which it seems to think connects directly to the internet. eg. attempting to ping PC1 or PC2 IP addresses fails.
- Using the Windows 7 "Home Network" feature, PC1 and PC2 join the same Home Network. PC3 joins a different Home Network all by itself.

Any help would be much appreciated.

cyril7

8950 posts

Uber Geek

ID Verified

Trusted

Subscriber

#778208 11-Mar-2013 21:34

Hi, the way to do it is very simple, login to the wireless router, turn off the DHCP server, then connect nothing to the WAN port of the router, just connect via one of the LAN ports of the router.

To simplify administration of the wireless router it would be ideal to move the LAN address of the router into the subnet (but out of the DHCP pool) of the main modem/router.

Cyril

Lenovo

Lenovo computer and accessories deals (affiliate link).

fellaintga

195 posts

Master Geek

#778212 11-Mar-2013 21:39

cyril7: Hi, the way to do it is very simple, login to the wireless router, turn off the DHCP server, then connect nothing to the WAN port of the router, just connect via one of the LAN ports of the router.

To simplify administration of the wireless router it would be ideal to move the LAN address of the router into the subnet (but out of the DHCP pool) of the main modem/router.

Cyril

Pretty much just use the wireless router in bridge mode if it has it or essentially a dumb switch it doesn't have to even be on the same IP range as the router but will make it easier to log into if it is. I have 2 Wireless Networks not including the built in one from the modem both just bridge to the same network the modem gives out DHCP.

sbiddle

30853 posts

Uber Geek

Retired Mod

Trusted

Biddle Corp

Lifetime subscriber

#778213 11-Mar-2013 21:39

The router is presumably configured as a router so it'll be performing NAT and handing out IP addresses on a different subnet that aren't routable.

You need to either replace it with a wireless AP or follow the instructions above to disable DHCP and use it only for the wireless.

Ouranos

118 posts

Master Geek

#778231 11-Mar-2013 21:59

Brilliant, that does exactly what I want. Thanks.

Zeon

3876 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

#778267 11-Mar-2013 23:46

Too many times do we see this kind of config...

Speedtest 2019-10-14