ALi-B

iTrader: (1)

Ignore this: Its just a rant plus a test to make sure the network is working ok now

Our works network used to be nice and simple:

ADSL modem/router--->PCs+Printer+switch-->more PCs

Seems the modem/router is playing funny beggers on the ethernet, of which the printer and hub/switch aren't liking. So now I have to have:

ADSL router--->hub (the only one I could find that would talk to it)-->broadband router acting as a DHCP server (which won't talk directly to the modem, thus the extra hub)-->PCs+printer+switch-->more PCs

Talk about Heath Robinson And whilst stuck in tangle of patch leads I've missed ebuyer's cut-off for next day delivery. I guess its one of those days

At least its working now (for now, anyway )

(btw I don't "do" networking )

Kieran_Burns

iTrader: (1)

Check the connection speeds on the router - it's probably set to auto negotiate and set itself to 10Mb half duplex

Force 100Mb full and see what happens (don't ask me how to on the router 'cos I won't know )

ALi-B

iTrader: (1)

Funny you should say that, as I had to do the reverse to get it to work (force 10Mb full), and even then it played up. Seems the extra hub (dumb hub) stuck inbetween sorts it out and its happy to talk at 100Mb It destined for the bin, as its been suspect for ages (but other devices/cabling etc got the blame instead).


Which brings me onto a question whilst looking at the on-line shops: What ADSL/modem/wireless router has a "really" good signal range??

As the wireless signal needs to get through an asbestos wall into a workshop

Kieran_Burns

iTrader: (1)

A drill.

scoobymad555

iTrader: (1)

Assuming your network is small (appears to be by your description above) then pretty much any off the shelf one would do mate and unless that wall is a couple of feet thick or has heavy metal works in it then it shouldn't be much of an issue. Can vouch for the range of Buffalo units and more recently the HP ones have been exceptionally good too or failing that, if you're really concerned about that wall then one of the MIMO technology ones should do the job (they're easy to spot since they usually have 3 aerials and are expensive lol!) but they're not very common n i doubt you'll need it tbh.

Suggestion for you though - get rid of the hub asap and also try n get your port speed back up. If you have to use the hub then try n get it running 100 Half Duplex though - Full duplex ditches error control to gain bandwidth, a switch will deal with corrupt packets if configured in the right manner but a hub simply transmits everything it sees so if you do get bad packets from the router (not uncommon) then the hub will happily sling them around your network lol!


I do "do" networks lol

ALi-B

iTrader: (1)

A hammer (to everything) would be a better solution IMO

Yeah signal is an big issue in that building, its the material the walls are made out of...even the radio struggles to get anything barring BBC stations, so microwave fares even worse. And there is no way to locate the router inside the workshop as it wouldn't last 10mins.

It works, but only barely (straight line distance is barely 10metres). It involved extending the aerial of the 'shop computer to its outer casing (its on a enclosed trolley), laptops don't work on wifi full stop (not needed, so no issue). I could fit another aerial on the router as well, but whilst its being replaced there has to be something better out there (current dying wireless router is a D-link DSL-G624T )

The router thats temporarily handling the wired network and DHCP is also wireless (Netgear WGR614v9) which I found is having the same weak signal issues. I also tried a cheapo unbranded wireless router which actually is slightly better, but that has a really buggy user interface, and its not ADSL either.

The network is running at 100Mb, but it will only do so via the extra switch stuck in-between: the hub is actually a switch (terminology mix up), but just a very basic one so can't it be configured.

dunx

iTrader: (3)

Mains wiring wireless thingies ?

dunx

P.S. lazy... not dumb LOL

scoobymad555

iTrader: (1)

It's not a "hammer" .... it's a "precision instrument for persuasion"! and it has it's place in any trade's toolbox!

sounds like you've got extremely densely mixed walls ..... i'm guessing the asbestos is the type they used for sound proofing too Without actually visiting the site it's difficult to say something absolute and to be honest in your kind of environment i'd usually plan on turning up with several different bits of kit to test and see which works best .... despite what some like to suggest, wireless is far from an exact science since there's simply far to many environment factors to account for.

The kit i'd be inclined to consider for your kind of place would be either the hp unit since that covers multiple standards (you may find that the A standard will work better - it's a higher frequency so on a purely technical level you should get less distance but if that frequency is able to penetrate the wall better than the 2.4ghz b/g/n standard then everyone's happy! lol!) or the MIMO one since that uses a completely different transmission type that may be better suited. I'd try to explain it but even i got bored after the first 40 pages of the whitepaper i read of it lol!

Question though - What kit do you have in the workshop that needs the network connection and is it relatively stationary? - reason being that the cost of a professional install for a fixed line is likely to work out at around the same money as either of those bits of kit or maybe even less since they're not £30 cheap n cheerfulls. You also obviously have a faster connection speed on the fixed line as opposed the wireless (even if you run to the n standard).

oh n the additional aerials (excluding directional ones) rarely make much difference since you cant ramp the power up ..... well ..... legally speaking anyway

mains wireless thingies ..... ..... yuck!

ALi-B

iTrader: (1)

Thanks for that, kind of helps me get my head round what might do the job better.

What I have now does work; but it would be nice if it was better IYSWIM; Save rolling the PC round the workshop on a bad signal day.

Two PCs are mobile diagnostic workstations, all built on a trolley so it can be rolled about and situated where its needed, so more semi-stationary; Net is needed for basic file sharing, pushing invoices to the network printers and and pulling off job sheets. Also internet for downloading paint codes, application updates and pornographic screen savers (so I've noticed ).

One plan was to try and somehow route an aerial inside the workshop, however that might then mean no wifi signal in the offices. And if I'm right, having a MIMO wifi router would mean I can't use an additional aerial. I suppose I could have another wifi acess point with remote aerial to get round that, should the MIMO one not do the job.

Would I also be right in saying MIMO needs compatible NICs to take proper advantage? Which brings the next issue: The PC cases have half-height slots (based on Dell optiplex mini desktops), and you've guessed it; the ones already installed don't list 802.11n as being supported..

Those mains wireless thingies are starting to look enticing

GC8

Pay attention Ali: youve missed a spam post advertising trainers!

ALi-B

iTrader: (1)

If you hadn't noticed; I'm having some technical difficulties

GC8

Mmmmm. This was right next to it though!

scoobymad555

iTrader: (1)

hmmm ok ... couple of other options then ..... running late for work at the mo though so will post up later

ALi-B

iTrader: (1)

Being a wireless ADSL router. That means dedicated line thats not on switchboard, power (none in the ceiling), and then having all the wired ethernet connections to serve the rest of the network all in the work shop, plus its a dirty enviroment and the roof leaks. Then of course access to check its physically working, status lights etc.

No worries

ALi-B

iTrader: (1)

I came here via subscribed threads in user CP

scoobymad555

iTrader: (1)

man what a day! lol! anyways .....

Firstly, your D-Link ..... having poked around a bit there seems to be an issue with a few of them junking or not auto-negotiating their isp dns settings for random reasons which may be part of what's caused yours to play up. Few possible cures for this but the easiest option is probably a firmware update. The latest version from D-Link is here :

ftp://ftp.dlink.it/Adsl/DSL-G624T/Fi...C.20080410.zip

I'd reckon on giving that a spin before buying any new devices since it may well give you the result

Secondly, your workshop ...... "IF" the firmware update works on the D-Link then you should be able to also reactivate the dhcp service on it which would then free up the Netgear unit that you have. My inclination would be to install a fixed line across to the workshop from your office and use that to drive the Netgear unit purely as a wireless access point (dhcp and routing functions disabled). In that capacity, the access point could be located anywhere you like in terms of suitable power and lack of wet stuff just as long as it's within range of the machines. If you don't have suitable wireless cards in them, usb devices would probably do the job. Only comment i will make here is, signal strength will vary depending on what machinery you operate in your workshop and how much voltage it draws.

There's a diagram to check how you've connected / tried to connect the devices here too ....

Using WPN824, WGR614, or WGT624 Routers as an Access Point


Finally, dunno whereabouts you are but if you're not a million miles away from the hertfordshire area let me know

scoobymad555

iTrader: (1)

oh n yeah, mimo will most likely have a proprietary receiver cards but that may vary between manufacturers. Certainly the Buffalo one i trialled a while ago did have.

The "n" standard wireless STILL isn't ratified yet so i wouldn't expect your existing cards to support it unless you specifically selected one that said it would (the base specification has been available to manufacturers for quite a while now so they're able to take a good shot at producing kit that will probably meet the n standard when it is ratified)

finally, the screensavers .... lol! Well it beats having manky old page 3's taped to the walls about the place! lol! Besides, every workshop needs a little brightening up eh?! If you really wanna stop that kinda thing you can do by configuring a firewall with content filtering in your network. The D-Link router probably has one built in but it may not be that advanced - i didn't look but most modern units do have Failing that, there's a free one (open source - built on linux) called Untangle that's exceptionally good

ALi-B

iTrader: (1)

Cheers. That D-link is definitely junk though, its been a bugbear of mine in one way or the other since day one; its been running that firmware for almost a year, where before it was randomly "forgetting" MAC addresses in the access permissions (wifi only) and blocking all incoming internet traffic whenever the power was reset Even now it can take up to five minutes to establish an ADSL link after having the power turned off/on. Non of thats is critical, so it was only until the wired LAN started playing up that its became an ****.

The Netgear is mine from home (well, it probably belongs to Virgin, because I didn't pay for it ), I'll be damned if they are having it for free!

I have the distinct feeling that the boss might be bringing something in tomorrow. Not sure if its something from his home or mate or something from PC world. I dread to think!

Oh well, if he does bring in some junk I'm going to play dumb and say call an expert in and the get the whole lot replaced; As I'm fed of being the on-site IT support.

ALi-B

iTrader: (1)

Arrgg! He's walked in with a Belkin!! :

Oh well, it looks pretty though. I'll give it a chance, not that there is much choice

scoobymad555

iTrader: (1)

Some of the Belkin kits not too bad mate .... bit domesticated these days but like you say, it does look pwetty lol! Should be perfectly fine in a small network though

Reckon i'd still try punting your netgear into the workshop though - you could sell it to them at a *cough* fair price *cough*

As for the D-Link .... drill holes through it - it's therapeutic n it's not going to make a blind bit of difference to its functionality apparently .... do it, do it, do it!!!

Shame of it is that i threw 3 of those units away a couple of weeks ago even though they were working .... sorry bout that lol!

ALi-B

iTrader: (1)

Don't worry about it. The Belkin seems ok, it uses MIMO and signal is a bit better, plus its user friendly. How long it'll last before it hangs is another issue though

The D-link will be used for target practice with the air-rifle.

Thanks again anyway