Can you link a fax machine to a computer through network using an ethernet switch board?

Question

So I am trying to set up pc-fax so that we don't have to print all the junk faxes and waste paper, the only way for me to get my fax machine on the network is through a router (using wifi) that is plugged into an ethernet switch, the two pcs that I have are both plugged directly into the ethernet switch board, Is there a way for me to discover the fax machine over the network with this setup or would I have to plug the pcs into the router?

Answer 1

I assume the "SWITCH" you refer to is not a switch. It is a gateway with a modem and switch. If so, if you convert your WIFI router into an ACCESS POINT (by plugging it in differently and turning off DHCP service, then you only have one network and everything can see each other.



But first, give the make and model of the first SWITCH? Because there is like a small chance it is a switch (like in a apartment network?

Answer 2

If your network looks (or would look) like this:



Wi-Fi router <----> Eth. Switch <--> 2 PCs

...... |

...... | .... (the dots are just for spacing)

...... |------> Fax via (Wi-Fi)



Then your fax machine should be discoverable by the 2 PCs when it connects via Wi-Fi. This layout puts everyone connected to the Switch and the Wi-Fi router into the same subnet.



If you have a different layout in mind, let us know what it looks like.



------- --------- ---------- -------------- -------------







The question I asked was if your Switch is plugged into one of the Wi-Fi router's LAN ports and if the 2 PCs are plugged into 2 of the switch ports?



If so, then ALL of your ports "can see" each other.





------- --------- ---------- -------------- -------------







** Please tell us the make & model of the device your switch GETS Internet from. When you have 2 Internet devices one of them is usually a cable modem and the other is a Wi-Fi router.



** Is this a "home Internet" setup or what?



** Which port (name) on the Wi-Fi router is connected to the switch? The WAN port or one of the 4 LAN ports?



Unless you're in a hotel or a dorm -- usually, the router comes BEFORE the switch so that it can PROTECT it and SHARE the 1 public IP your router is given. Sounds like you're telling me you have something like this:



Device #1(?) <--- Internet Line---> Switch <---> Wi-Fi router <---> Wi-Fi devices

........ ...... ............ ............. ............. |...|.... (the dots are just for spacing)

........ ...... ............ ............. ............. |...|---> PC-1

........ ...... ............ ............. ............. |

........ ...... ............ ............. ............. |---> PC-2



------- --------- ---------- -------------- -------------







Ok, here's an easier way to test.



1. Connect a laptop via Wi-Fi to the router you've been talking about.

2. On the laptop, open a CMD window (window key + r, type CMD)

... and type: ipconfig /all (you'll get a short report)

3. Write down what you see for the following:

.... a. IPv4 address

.... b. Subnet Mask

.... c. Default Gateway

.... d. DNS Servers



4. Go to 1 of those 2 PCs connected to the switch you've been talking about.

5. Open a CMD window (window key + r, type CMD) and type: ipconfig /all

6. Write down what you see for the following:

.... a. IPv4 address

.... b. Subnet Mask

.... c. Default Gateway

.... d. DNS Servers



7. Compare the 4 items from each device (PC and laptop) and verify that items 'b' to 'd' are the same and that both item "a's" have the **same first 3 nodes** and a different 4th node. Or better yet, tell us what you get for both devices and we'll tell you if you're going to be good or not.

Answer 3

Yes. Ask your Internet Service Provider.