Getting my home network to work - Tech Support Forums

Richard Jefferie · June 9th, 2008, 09:35 AM

I have a Dell Dimension PC running Windows WP and a Toshiba Laptop. I am connected to the Internet via a WiMax service which delivers effectively an Ethernet connection. I have a D-Link DI-604 which connects the WAN port to the WiMax service and my PC is connected to port 1. I have no problems with those connections and can access all Internet services, etc however I want to add an WiFi network and also a second PC in a remoter building via an Ethernet cable. When I first connected the remote PC via the wired cable I had no problem (I connected it to port 2 of the DI-604), however I have now got a D-Link DWL-900+ wireless access point and also an Edge-core WM4201 Skype WiFi phone with a WM 4101 cradle and WA4101 Wireless Access Point Cradle. When I connect them to the DI-604 and try to set them up using the IP addresses given I cannot locate them and nor can I now get t the remote PC. If I move my main PC to any of the other ports on the DI-604 it still works with the WAN OK but no LAN services/devices seem accessible.

What do I need to do to get all this to work together?

nemowolf · June 9th, 2008, 02:24 PM

Thats kinda one big jumble, so lets start with the basics. Have you logged into your router to confirm that all devices are properly connected and on the route table? Are all devices on the same IP range and Subnet? How is your wireless access point configured? Are any wireless devices working properly? What IP addresses were "Given" and who gave them? Ports don't matter unless they die, so changing ports will have no effect on changing service.

Richard Jefferie · June 9th, 2008, 04:30 PM

Thanks for the response. Let me answer your questions one by one.

Have you logged into your router to confirm that all devices are properly connected and on the route table? Yes I can access the DI-604 and it shows no problems. The LEDs on the box show power is on, WAN connected and working (which I know as this gives no problem) and that devices are connected to the ports.

Are all devices on the same IP range and Subnet? No they are not but I cannot reach them to change them. That is one of the problems.

How is your wireless access point configured? It is not configured as I cannot reach it. (Both of them)

Are any wireless devices working properly? No access point so no way of testing them easily but it would be strange if none are working.

What IP addresses were "Given" and who gave them? The various installation manuals and discs state the IP addresses that are defaulted and tell me to use the web browser to access them and configure them buy entering http:// followed by the IP aderess as appropriate., the same way I access and configure the DI-604 router. No changes have been made. The Edge-Core WA4101 Wireless Access Point Cradle has an IP of 192.168.2.1, D-Link DWL-900+ wireless access point has an IP of 192.168.0.50 and the D-Link DI-604 itself has an IP of 192.168.0.1.

I have tried connecting both the D-Link DWL-900+ and Edge-Core WA4101 directly to the Ethernet port on the PC cutting out the router and WAN connection but still cannot access them, in both cases getting the message "Internet Explorer cannot display the web-page"

If it was just one device that I could not access then I would assume it was faulty but I cannot find the remote PC on the network nor the two different wifi access ports.

nemowolf · June 10th, 2008, 06:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Richard Jefferie

Thanks for the response. Let me answer your questions one by one.

Have you logged into your router to confirm that all devices are properly connected and on the route table? Yes I can access the DI-604 and it shows no problems. The LEDs on the box show power is on, WAN connected and working (which I know as this gives no problem) and that devices are connected to the ports.

Thats not what i asked. Log into the router and check under the advanced tab most likely for the connected user list or route table or even the DHCP Client list. This will tell you what devices are connected and pulling a IP from the router.

Are all devices on the same IP range and Subnet? No they are not but I cannot reach them to change them. That is one of the problems.

Then you found your problem. Without fixing this, everything else is pointless. Find out why you are getting different IP's and Subnets before you do anything else or your going to cause yourself more of a headache.

How is your wireless access point configured? It is not configured as I cannot reach it. (Both of them)

See previous.

Are any wireless devices working properly? No access point so no way of testing them easily but it would be strange if none are working.

What IP addresses were "Given" and who gave them? The various installation manuals and discs state the IP addresses that are defaulted and tell me to use the web browser to access them and configure them buy entering http:// followed by the IP aderess as appropriate., the same way I access and configure the DI-604 router. No changes have been made.
The Edge-Core WA4101 Wireless Access Point Cradle has an IP of 192.168.2.1,
D-Link DWL-900+ wireless access point has an IP of 192.168.0.50
and the D-Link DI-604 itself has an IP of 192.168.0.1.

I have tried connecting both the D-Link DWL-900+ and Edge-Core WA4101 directly to the Ethernet port on the PC cutting out the router and WAN connection but still cannot access them, in both cases getting the message "Internet Explorer cannot display the web-page"

It doesnt work that way. I cant explain it but it just doesnt work.

If it was just one device that I could not access then I would assume it was faulty but I cannot find the remote PC on the network nor the two different wifi access ports.

Okay. Your going to have a bit of work to get everything working but it will work in the end.
The Edge-Core WA4101 WAP Cradle has an IP of 192.168.2.1,
D-Link DWL-900+ WAP has an IP of 192.168.0.50
and the D-Link DI-604 itself has an IP of 192.168.0.1.

You need to change the configuration of your router to match the settings of each device and change it to what your end result ip address scheme will be.

I recommend you choose something like 192.168.10.x. put each device to this IP setting and when each one has been configured, your Router then needs to be changed to that. Everything should now start talking to each other. Get that done and then you can work on interoperability.

Richard Jefferie · June 11th, 2008, 04:22 PM

"Log into the router and check under the advanced tab most likely for the connected user list or route table or even the DHCP Client list. This will tell you what devices are connected and pulling a IP from the router."

I've been trough every tab and option in the DI604 set-up but there seems to be nothing that resembles "connected user list or route table or even the DHCP Client list"

"You need to change the configuration of your router to match the settings of each device and change it to what your end result ip address scheme will be.

I recommend you choose something like 192.168.10.x. put each device to this IP setting and when each one has been configured, your Router then needs to be changed to that. Everything should now start talking to each other. Get that done and then you can work on interoperability."

I cannot see how you change the settings beyobd the range 192.168.0.1 to 192.168.0.254

On one tab I get:-

DHCP Server

The DI-604 can be setup as a DHCP Server to distribute IP addresses to the LAN network.

DHCP Server Enabled Disabled Starting IP Address
192.168.0.
No option but to change last set of figuresEnding IP Address 192.168.0.
Again, no option but to change last set of figures

Lease Time 1 HOUR2 HOURS3 HOURS1 DAY2 DAYS3 DAYS1 WEEK

Static DHCP

Static DHCP is used to allow DHCP server to assign same IP to specific MAC address.
Enabled Disabled
Name I
P Address 192.168.0.
MAC Address -- -- -
DHCP Client -- select one --

The DCHP Client list drop down is empty even with devices connected.

So I'm still stuck!!

nemowolf · June 12th, 2008, 02:06 PM

DI604 is a really old model. Does it give you the option of flashing to a newer OS? If so, do it cause you dont have many of the features that newer Routers offer like a DHCP client list and allowing you to choose your own Class of IP.

Richard Jefferie · June 12th, 2008, 06:28 PM

Thanks once again for your input.

I bought it about two years ago and it has served me well until I wanted to add WiFi. I suppose one of the things that bugs me is that "Two years old" makes it a really old model. I want to spend my money on applications and using technology not constantly upgrading hardware. The sooner the industry understands that the better we'll all be!!! It's a bit like digital cameras...... if I want to get the latest in sensors I have to buy a new camera when with 35mm I just bought a new role of film. So over a couple of years the costs are no cheaper unless I stay with my current model of camera for some time.

I have upgraded to the most recent firmware, v 3.15.

A friend has just suggested chucking out all the D-Link devices and ordering a Linksys Wireless-G Broadband Router With RangeBooster, model WRT54GR, as that combines all the functions I want in one single box. My worry is that I may not be able to access it until I understand the problems I'm getting now in the first place.

#43 fan · June 12th, 2008, 11:06 PM

While your friend has a good idea, more or less getting a new wireless router, I wouldn't recommend using that router brand. A Linksys once failed after a mere 6 hours of "use". I would recommend either Belkin or D-Link.

KarmaKiller · June 12th, 2008, 11:11 PM

I totally agree with #43.
I've had more linksys routers go out on me then any other single brand I can think of.
I would suggest Belkin. They have worked great for me so far..

Richard Jefferie · June 13th, 2008, 08:19 AM

Thanks both KarmaKiller and #43. I have looked at both the Belkin and D-Link sites. I had ordered the LinkSys all the same just before your posting came in as, living in Europe (Spain), neither Belkin nor DLink seem to offer a product over here that combines both Ethernet wired and Wireless in one box (as well as not including a built in modem..which I can't use).

Linksys when I look at user reviews on a number of sites Linksys gets pretty good ratings, no better nor worse than DLink or Belkin. The Linksys model WRT54GR is new out and no one seems to have reviewed that particular model yet but it does seem the only thing out so far having exactly the right spec that I need.

I will bear in mind what you both say about reliability: useful warnings.

I stuck with DLink up to now both because it has a good reputation and because I prefer to keep to a single make believing that interoperability problems should be less. I'm too used to having one make of something linked to the other make and both blaming the other when I get problems. I had all that hassle when IE7 would not work properly with the Norton range of security products; MS blamed Norton and Norton blamed MS. Now they've solved the problems its OK but it took them 9 months after the official release of IE7.