Home Premium & Office Network...

[Mikey]

I babysit a small office network, about 15-20 computers, mostly XP
Pro, with a couple of Vista Home Premium laptop users.
We have a Linksys 4 port Cable Router that is linked to a Linksys 16
port workgroup switch, with the Cable Router handing out DHCP
addresses.
I have had problems with the Vista laptops connectiong to the network
& have found the solution to be that any vista laptops need to be
connected to the cable router.
If they aren't they cannot get an IP address. I also have to have a
networked HP 4260 connected to the cable router, as well, if I want
any of the Vista laptops to be able to connect & print to it.
Is this due to some networking limitations in Vista?
We don't have a domain, just a bunch of computers printing to a shared
printer & getting access to the Internet.
Also, I have been asked about the possibility of putting a wireless
router in the office. Am I opening up a whole other can of Vista-
related worms here with this?
The suite is approx 60' x 32', broken up into several offices, each
housing 2-3 users. Should a centrally located wireless router work, or
do you think I might also need an access point at either end of the
suite?
Thanks for any suggestions.

 

[Ben]

Hi Mikey,

What you'll find with a wireless router is that they're great so long as you
don't have all 15-20 computers trying to access the network all at the same
time, as the traffic flow through the router will slow and web browsing and
downloads will slow. Although if you only a few laptops you most likely
won't encounter this too much. As for location, the N series router should
be fine in a central location.

With your current network check the following:
Workgroup/Domain name on all PC/laptops are the same
Check the TCP/IPv4 properties - are they all set for auto obtain
Does the Linksys 16 port have a setup? If so check the DHCP server
settings.
In the setup of the 4 port cable, do you have the option of reserved
IP or MAC addresses.

 

[Gordon]

I babysit a small office network, about 15-20 computers, mostly XP
Pro, with a couple of Vista Home Premium laptop users.
We have a Linksys 4 port Cable Router that is linked to a Linksys 16
port workgroup switch, with the Cable Router handing out DHCP
addresses.
I have had problems with the Vista laptops connectiong to the network
& have found the solution to be that any vista laptops need to be
connected to the cable router.
If they aren't they cannot get an IP address.

Not my experience, but on a smaller scale. I have a Netgear router plugged
into a 5-port Netgear switch with one port wired to a desktop, one to a
networked printer, one wired to another laptop and one port wired to a WAP
(Wireless Access Point). My Toshiba Satellite running Vista Home Premium
connects to the WAP perfectly OK...