Forum Discussion

Aspirant

Jul 17, 2019

Solved

Networking wireless and ethernet PCs

I have a problem keeping and maintaining a network together with wired PCs (a desktop server) - on WIndow 7 and laptops connecting via wireless routers (Windows 10) - through a few different routers ...

schumaku
Jul 17, 2019
macpuppy wrote:
...through a few different routers that in turn connect to a swtich and then to the modem. ...
That's predictable. Routers in NAT mode are not made for transparent L2 communication. Only _one_ router must exist in your flat network, connecting the LAN to the Internet. Here you connect Ethernet switches, and if you desperately want routers which can be configured as wireless access points. Consult the other routers documentation for how to e-configure to wireless APs. Note: Routers make poor WAP in general.

schumaku

Guru - Experienced User

Jul 17, 2019

macpuppy wrote:
...through a few different routers that in turn connect to a swtich and then to the modem. ...

That's predictable. Routers in NAT mode are not made for transparent L2 communication. Only _one_ router must exist in your flat network, connecting the LAN to the Internet. Here you connect Ethernet switches, and if you desperately want routers which can be configured as wireless access points. Consult the other routers documentation for how to e-configure to wireless APs. Note: Routers make poor WAP in general.

antinode

Guru

Jul 17, 2019

> [...] through a few different routers that in turn connect to a swtich
> and then to the modem.

Too vague to be useful. What are these devices? What, exactly, is
connected to what, exactly? Hint: If a device has multiple Ethernet
ports, then "connected to device" is not enough detail.

> Internet connections are fine [...]

Then it seems likely that your "the modem" is not (only) a modem, or
you didn't actually connect a switch to it. (Connecting a modem to a
switch is seldom a good idea.)

> [...] Only _one_ router must exist in your flat network, [...]

Not strictly true, but most folks will want a LAN with exactly one
router.