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Forum Discussion
Dominator1
Feb 03, 2024Tutor
Different IP addresses modem vs router
For some reason, my modem and router have different IP addresses, 192.168.0.1 and 192.168.1.1, respectively. I have a printer connected by ethernet that connects to the modem. my 2 computers and ot...
- Feb 07, 2024
That diagram is fantastic!
Dominator1 wrote:
I also realize that i might need to relocate the orbi router to the basement next to the IPS modem and connect directly from that to the various satellites?
Yes, move the basement satellite upstairs, connect the router directly to the ISP device, and then everything in the house connects to the router LAN ports. If there are not enough open ports, an inexpensive gigabit Ethernet switch in the basement will provide more connections.
CrimpOn
Feb 03, 2024Guru - Experienced User
Dominator1 wrote:
I have a printer connected by ethernet that connects to the modem. my 2 computers and other devices are connected to the router. one of my computers (mac) finds and connects with the printer whereas the other (windows PC) one does not.
This is the way it is supposed to work. Move the printer cable from the ISP modem to the Orbi router and everything will work.
Every router is designed to belong to one IP network through the WAN port and to create its own IP network on the LAN side. In an ideal world, the WAN side is "the internet" and the LAN side is "everything in the house". With every device on the same network (called an IP subnet), every device can communicate with every other device without having to pass through the router. They all communicate with "outside" by going through the router, which uses a technique called Network Address Translation (NAT) to make it appear that everything is coming from one IP address (the router).
Having two routers can create problems for specific applications (not for every application). Internet search for "Double NAT" will provide examples of the sorts of applications that struggle with that situation, such as
- Sharing files on the internet
- Certain types of internet gaming (not all gaming)
- Accessing the local LAN from the internet
As plemans described, there are several methods to handle a Double NAT. Only one of those will work with the printer connected to the ISP modem. I would just move the cable and be done with it.
Dominator1
Feb 05, 2024Tutor
many thanks to plemans and crimpon. both responses make perfect sense and i understand much better now.
there's one minor complication due to the fact that the printer is in a different room and on a different floor from the router so I can’t connect the printer cable to the router via ethernet cable. There are ethernet cables running through the house (inside the walls) connected directly from the ISP modem the basement. i have now connected the printer to the router via wifi which seems to work fine and i think is consistent with what pleman and crimpon explained.
my remaining question going forward relates to rooms where the wifi coverage is weak or inconsistent and i prefer to connect a device(s) via ethernet. i assume that if i have turned the ips modem/gateway router function to pass through only mode, that all the ethernet connections in the house will connect to the netgear router so it won't matter if devices are connected via ethernet or wifi?
thanks again - dom
- CrimpOnFeb 05, 2024Guru - Experienced User
(Assumptions.... got me again!)
Of course, the ISP device is located at the house wiring panel in the basement, which is a horrible place to put a WiFi access point. (few devices - if any - and all that building material impedes WiFi transmission to the main part of the house.)
And, there is only one Ethernet connection from the wiring panel to the Orbi router location.
If there were two cables between ISP and Orbi, one cable could carry the WAN connection between ISP and Orbi and the other cable could be used to support an Ethernet switch (in the basement) which could bundle Ethernet connections from all over the house back to the router. A $30 switch would solve everything.
The issue with putting the ISP device into pass through mode is that the Orbi router will expect everything to be connected to it over WiFi or through the Orbi LAN ports. Devices connected to the ISP device will simply disappear.
If eliminating Double NAT or using the in-house wiring is a serious concern, there is a solution that requires two smart switches and some effort.
- Dominator1Feb 06, 2024Tutor
thanks again crimpon.
i'm not sure i fully follow (you can probably tell i'm a novice). here are the points that i think are relevant and what i think i have to do to solve (which i can only try tomorrow as various users are using the network). would be great if you if you could point out anything relevant, good or bad in my understanding of the situation.
the first diagram below is a simplified version of my current and desired network (simplified to exclude printers, phones, amazon echos, and 2 other satellites). i want to restructure to the desired setup on the right to simplify, and to improve strength and consistency by increasing ethernet usage and reducing wifi reliance. I intend to make the changes one step at a time so that when things don't go as expected I know what change / link generated the problem.
The problem i'm having right now is that when i switch the connection of orbi satellite #2 to ethernet, the connection goes directly to the IPS modem even though i have tried to direct it to the Orbi router (via the orbi router's mac address). The orbi router sub-network doesn't recognize the satellite (& the internet doesn't seem to work when this sateliite is connected directly to the ISP modem). I have read that directing the ethernet connection to the orbi router should be possible but i cannot figure out how to get it to work.
Perhaps, i need to try rebooting everything? I also realize that i might need to relocate the orbi router to the basement next to the IPS modem and connect directly from that to the various satellites?
Thanks in advance. - Dominator1
- CrimpOnFeb 06, 2024Guru - Experienced User
In general, placing a switch between the ISP device (which appears to be a combination modem/router) and the Orbi router is not recommended.
There are options depending on
- How many Ethernet cables run from the Router location to the basement, and
- Exactly which model of Netgear switch this is.