Router/Networking Question

[prairie_dog]

Hi All,
I'm currently running a small network with four computers all using win2k. Input is via a DSL modem and a 4-port rounter and works flawlessly. I now have a fifth computer I would now like to piggyback off one of the four currently on the network. I therfore have installed a second NIC card and cabled the fifth to this new card. From this "main" computer (the one with the dual nics) I can see all computers on the network including the new "fifth". However, from the fifth I can only see the main and no other computers, and, the fifth can not access the internet. I would like this last computer to be capable of internet access and to be able to see and be seen on the network. Any advice is greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
P_dog

[BigStu]

The easiest way to get the 5th on the network to view all computers and internet is add a hub. No extra configurations are needed this way. Buy you a little 4 port hub, then just piggy back it to your router. Then you can connect them all and have room for future upgrades.

Otherwise, have you checked your IP's and made sure you are on the same subnet on both nics on the server? Also you will have to enable internet connection sharing for the nic that goes to the 5th pc. Have you tried giving the second nic and the 5th pc static IP's?

[z1p]

Have you enabled IP forwarding the 'main' computer? You must do this through the registry on w2k.

To enable IP routing, you must change the Win2K system Registry. Create the IPEnableRouter Registry entry under the HKEY_LOCAL_ MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSetServices\Tcpip\Par ameters key. To enable IP routing for all installed network connections, you must assign a value of 1 to this entry.

I understand that another option is to enable RRAS, but I don't anything about it.

[prairie_dog]

Hi, Thanks Z1P and BigStu for the quick reply.

Tried the IP forwarding with no luck. The static IPs allow the main to see the 5th and the other four computers. However the 5th can only see the main and no internet access. Internet connection sharing is disallowed for the second nic as it wants to automatically set the nic to 192.168.0.1 which is the default for the router. I'll fiddle around a little more but it looks like the hub may be the answer.

Thanks,
P_Dog

[Smoothie]

I would recommend using a switch instead of a hub if you have a lot of traffic on your network. Also you could can your existing router (ebay) and go wireless.
Smoothie

[Xircom]

Keep it simple. Stupied.. listen to the two.. add a hub or a switch.. what your trying is to bridge to NIC this will need you to manage your IP just add a £9.00 hub to your existing or get a little bigger switch; in the long run you will save time and money...
get a switch / hub...

KISS

Regards

[prairie_dog]

Thanks to all for the tips and advice. I agree, the KISS method will be the best. Off to the shop.

Cheers