Question:
How to user router? network experts there?
mIkE
2009-10-08 04:17:48 UTC
hi.. sorry for the basic question. i have some basic doubts in router.

router is used to connect two networks right? please correct me if i am wrong.

how do we connect a router to a network? where will we give the ip address of router? if we don't require intenet connection for a group of computers do we need router? and if we want to connect two networks for eg: connect group of computers from one building to the other building. here how to we use the router in both the buildings? please clarify me..
Three answers:
GTB
2009-10-08 05:18:46 UTC
A router can be used to connect two networks. In this usage there is one router at each network interface that links all devices beneath it to the router and the router interfaces to the link between the two networks.



It can also be a single interface to the Internet. In this example the Internet is the link to the "other network" (where the "other network" is pretty big).



Now let's assume you have 2 separate buildings, building A and building B on your property and separated by a short distance. Building A has an internet feed and its own network, Building B does not have internet feed or a network but you want a network in Building B and have it link to Building A so users at Building A can interface with and exchange data with Building B people. Although you did not address internet access for Building B people, let's assume you want this too.



Let's assume and define further:



Building A

Router A-1 - interfaces with Internet (DSL or CATV for our example). This unit provides all Building A users IP addresses using the 192.168.1.0/24 subnet with router LAN IP address of 192.168.1.1 and DHCP range set as 192.168.1.50 - 192.168.1.150 and all IP addresses above 192.168.1.150 reserved for static LAN devices (e.g. print servers, static pcs, etc). Being a 24 bit subnet, the mask is 255.255.255.0. Router 1 interfaces with Internet and is configured to receive its public IP address dynamically as the ISP provides a dynamic IP address (it could be static for our example's purpose).



We will run a CAT5 cable between Building A and Building B, calling it the "link line" to give it a name.



We will install a second router in Building A and call it Router A-2. Router A-2 will have a static private IP address of 192.168.1.2, subnet 255.255.255.0, gateway 192.168.1.1 and this connects to the network switch in Building A. We will assign the WAN port of router A-2 a static IP address of 10.10.10.9, subnet 255.255.255.248 (29 bit), gateway 10.10.10.9. This connects to the link line in Building A.



Building B



We have one router called Router B-1. Its WAN port is assigned static IP 10.10.10.10, subnet 255.255.255.248, gateway 10.10.10.9 and it connects to Link Line. The LAN side of router B-1 uses the 192.168.2.0/24 subnet; is assigned LAN IP 192.168.2.1, subnet 255.255.255.0; and it assigns IP addresses via DHCP to Building B users in the 192.168.2.50-150 range. As in Building B, router B-1 LAN port connects to Building B network switch as does all other Building B pcs and other LAN devices.



Now before we address routing tables, Building B pcs should receive IP addresses from Router B-1 on subnet 192.168.2.0/24 and should ping each other. Building B units should not yet see building A pcs, ping them or see Ineternet. Building A pcs should not see Building B pcs or ping them but should see and ping Internet and other Building A pcs.



The last part is to link Building B and Building A. Because this is such a small and easy to maintain link over just one link line, I would create a route table on Router A-2 and B-1 to route traffic between the two (you need routers that can set up route tables). You can also use automatic routing table protocols (e.g. RIP1, RIP2, BGB, etc) but these consume a lot of bandwith that is not really needed in this simple example so I probably would not do this. Once this works Bldg B pcs can ping and access pcs in Building A and Internet and Bldg A can ping and access pcs in Building B and internet.



Finally I would not use the low end home grade routers for this. They would rapidly be overworked and failures could easily arise. Spend more for better quality routers. I would check Cisco, Adtran, or 3Com for their products - as they are a lot better quality. Adtran's customer support is extremely good, better than the others, and most helpful if you get stuck.



I realize the above is a lot of work to set up but that is what it takes.
Kobenaw
2009-10-08 06:01:12 UTC
You are right to say it is basically used to connect two networks. However, modern routers are able to do more like protection of your network and offer good Quality of Service etc.



Connecting a router depends on the type of router. Usually, we connect the router to a switch using an ethernet cable. In order for the router to serve its purpose, we need to give it an IP address for your local network as well as the other network you want your users to connect to-could be internet or any other network. Setting the IP addresses could be done by a number of ways. One way is by using a cable called a console cable that you can connet to the router from your machine and use hyperterminal communication. Cisco has a software programme called SDM which really makes things very easy.



If you don't require communication with the outside body like internet you may not use a router if your purpose is just to use it for routing. However, if you don't want internet but want to communicate with a remote office, you will require a router. If you want communication on just the local network an Ethernet or Wireless Switch will do.

For the 2 buildings, It depends on the distance between them. If the distance is less than 100m, You can use Wireless Access Points and connect them to two switch or use ethernet cables. For longer distances think about 2 routers and a cost effective WAN solution such as VPN



How to use the routers? Assign Private IPs to the machines in Building A.Assign Private IPs to the machines in Building B. For long distances, just read something on VPN. You would need internet in both buildings though. Tell the ISP to get you at least 1 static public IP although i recommend 2-one for each building.



Email me at kobenaw@yahoo.com if you have any further queries
2016-05-21 03:10:15 UTC
Hi There, Like you I had two computers connected together (ad hoc) with internet connection sharing enabled. Also had file and printer sharing turned on for both computers. Sometimes everything worked great. Sometimes nothing worked properly. I was running Windows Home Edition SP-1 at first and the wireless zero service would disconnect the ad hoc network after about 3-4 minutes. (it is a bug in wireless zero). Later when SP-2 came out the bug in wireless zero was fixed anf my ad hoc network worked much better. However about every week I would have to set up everything again. ????? What a headache the ad hoc networking is !! Here's how to fix your problem. (it fixed mine) Walmart has a Belkin-G wireless router for $ 29-. Buy it and follow the easy setup instructions. After doing that you will have "real networking" and will be as happy as I have been. Hope this helps, Al


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