Networking with switch

  • Thread starter Thread starter rq
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R

rq

I have a D-link DSS 5+ switch, Motorola cable modem, a laptop and a desk top
computer.

By plugging cable into modem, then going from modem to switch, then plugging
both computers into switch and that's the setup.

Both computers can access the internet, seems to slow the internet
connection down a bit, but I can live with that but here is the question:

Should I be able to install the two computer to see each other as a network,
or am I just setting up two internet connections.

My cable service gives me two addresses. Any advice would be appreciated.

qq
 
Hard to say without knowing the IP address assignments.

If both computers have Internet IP addresses, then you need to be very
careful about security.

In general it is safer to use a NAT router to connect to the Internet. This
shields the local computers from attack, since the router acts like a one-way
device, A simple modem creates an open two-way connection, in which case
you're entirely dependent on the computer's firewall (and its being
configured right) for security.
 
rq said:
I have a D-link DSS 5+ switch, Motorola cable modem, a laptop and a
desk top computer.

By plugging cable into modem, then going from modem to switch, then
plugging both computers into switch and that's the setup.

Both computers can access the internet, seems to slow the internet
connection down a bit, but I can live with that but here is the
question:
Should I be able to install the two computer to see each other as a
network, or am I just setting up two internet connections.

My cable service gives me two addresses. Any advice would be
appreciated.
qq
Click to expand...


Yes, you should be able to see each computer from the other with the switch.
Start by checking your Event Viewer and firewall logs; always the first
place to look for this type of problem.

If it's really "slowing" the internet, then something else might be wrong
too. You shouldn't notice any diffrence in internet speeds in my
experience. I used a switch for a long time before I got my current NAT
router.
 
rq said:
I have a D-link DSS 5+ switch, Motorola cable modem, a laptop and a desk top
computer.

By plugging cable into modem, then going from modem to switch, then plugging
both computers into switch and that's the setup.

Both computers can access the internet, seems to slow the internet
connection down a bit, but I can live with that but here is the question:

Should I be able to install the two computer to see each other as a network,
or am I just setting up two internet connections.

My cable service gives me two addresses. Any advice would be appreciated.

qq
Click to expand...

Like Ian, I suggest replacing that switch with a NAT router, for two reasons:
1.Unless your ISP guarantees to give you two IPAs that are in the same subnet,
your two PCs will have a hard time sharing files & printers.
2.With a NAT router acting as the DHCP server (and both PCs as DHCP clients),
your inter-PC traffic will remain behind the router and will not go up to
the ISP and back -- that is faster and more secure.
 
If you're given two public addresses, you probably won't have much luck
linking them together.. at least not without some difficulty.

Grab yourself a cheapo LinkSys router and connect through that. You'll
save yourself a few bucks a month because your ISP will only need to
give you one address, and both computers will be on the same internal
network thus allowing you to more easily connect them.

Also, having the NAT traversal on the way out will keep the bad guys out.
 
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