Do I really need all these bridges?

[Brent]

Hello,

I've searched the newsgroup and found some related topics
but wan to verify my thinming before I re-build my home
network.

I have a Linksys Cable/DSL Router which is connected to
my DSL modem, D'Top #1, D'top #2 (when my son is home
from college), and then connected to a Netgear Wireless
Access Point with 4 port Router. All PC's are running XP
Pro.

My computer is a Portable with built in Wireless NIC
(802.11g and Bluetooth) and standard 10/100 NIC.

The problem is that I cannot get my portable PC to see
the D'tops that are behind the WAP.

From what I can tell the Bridges being built by XP are to
accomodate the numerous NIC's within my portable. I'm
wondering if these bridges are necessary and if they are
overly complicating my network and interfering with my
ability to talk to my network neighbors. I don't want to
just start deleting bridges until I know whether or not I
actually need them.....

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Brent

 

[Doug Sherman [MVP]]

Well, you don't tell us what the numerous NICs are used for, so it is
impossible to tell whether you need them. Probably you don't need them, and
probably this is the source of your problem. See:

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?kbid=823305

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;283429

Doug Sherman
MCSE Win2k/NT4.0, MCSA, MCP+I, MVP

 

[Guest]

My bad.

I cannot think of a single instance where more than one
NIC would be in use at any given time. WIth my portable
I plug it into a docking station which is connected to a
router via CAT5. I also undock the portable at work and
then I use the Wireless NIC.

I tend too use the Wireless NIC at home almost
exclusively.

I may get to a point where I use the Bluetooth to talk to
a PDA or telephone while the PC is on the internet - but
I guess I'll cross that bridge when I come to it (groan).

Thanks, I'll give it a try when I get home tonight.

Ski

 

[Hans-Georg Michna]

and then connected to a Netgear Wireless
Access Point with 4 port Router.

Brent,

in addition to the good advice you already received, you
probably don't need and don't want a second router, so you
probably want to disable all routing and NAT functions in that
device and use it only as a wired and wireless switch.

Hans-Georg

 

[Guest]

Hans-Georg,

I'm trying to figure out exactly hoe to do that. I
originally had a wireless AP (w/o router) on the network
but it got damaged by a lightning strike. When i went to
replace it the AP w/router was on sale so I figured -
what the heck?

The only issue is that when I'm connected wirelessly I
cannot "see" the other computers. I'm certain that it is
due to the router function on the AP but 'm not quite
sure what I need to turn off.

Thanks for the advice - you've gotten me one step closer.

Ski

 

[Hans-Georg Michna]

I'm trying to figure out exactly hoe to do that. I
originally had a wireless AP (w/o router) on the network
but it got damaged by a lightning strike. When i went to
replace it the AP w/router was on sale so I figured -
what the heck?

The only issue is that when I'm connected wirelessly I
cannot "see" the other computers. I'm certain that it is
due to the router function on the AP but 'm not quite
sure what I need to turn off.

Thanks for the advice - you've gotten me one step closer.

Ski,

you're welcome.

First thing I'd do is remove the Linksys router altogether. I
don't see why you need it any more.

Next thing---remove all bridges in the network setup and then
all but one NIC from each computer, unless you have a very good
reason to have more.

Hans-Georg