Internet Access Problems

Posts: 7 · New Forum Member Joined: May 05, 2005 Posts: 7

Someones advise here would be most appreciated.

One of my computers cannot get Internet access while talking on the phone. Here is the kicker, all of my other computers off the same router are fine. Once the call has been completed, the problem computer has access again. This is extremely troubling as whenever I have a conference call from home, my wife is unable to do her work from home. I hope someone out there has an idea of what I can do. I have my router setup as a DHCP server. It also does not matter which port I use on the back of the router .... I can switch them around ... and I always end up with the one computer having the same issue.

Configuration:
Cable modem to LinkSys BEFSR41 (3 computers plus RT31P2)
BEFSR41 to RT31P2.

Any advise or tests that I could try would be most appreciated.

Many thanks,
Jeff

Posts: 7 · New Forum Member Joined: May 05, 2005 Posts: 7

I had read in an previous thread (cannot locate this at the moment though), that a static IP address could be setup to resolve this issue. I can try that, but I do not understand how that would have an effect.

It seems that one would expect this issue to be specific to a setting on this particular computer. All of the computers are running windows XP, so there is no difference in the OS.

But for some reason, this copmuter "stands down" when a call is made and will not allow me to get internet access.

Hope someone has an idea on this one.

Many thanks, Jeff

Posts: 646 · Posted: Tue Jun 14, 2005 6:04 pm Post subject:

Ditch the BEFSR41. Put the RT31P2 in its place.

If you need more ports, you can disable DHCP on the BEFSR41 and use its LAN ports as a switch.

Posts: 7 · New Forum Member Joined: May 05, 2005 Posts: 7

Many thanks for your response. I can certainly give that a try. But it seems strange to me that only one of the computers on the BEFSR41 is having a problem. If they were all having an issue, I would more easily suspect the Router. But I must admit, that what is going on here is over my head.

Do you have an idea on what you think may be causing the issue, and why you suggest ditching the BEFSR41?

Thanks,
Jeff

Posts: 7 · New Forum Member Joined: May 05, 2005 Posts: 7

One more question regarding turning the BEFSR41 into a switch.

So, just to make sure I understand:
- I connect its WAN port to one of the LAN ports on the RT31P2.
- then set it up with DHCP disabled.
- then connect additonal computers to the LAN ports on the BEFSR41

Is that correct? So the computers off of the BEFSR41 will get their IP addresses from he RT31P2 which is acting as the DHCP server?

Not sure of the implication of making the BEFSR41 into a switch. Not sure exactly what that means.

Many thanks for your patience.

Regards,
Jeff

Posts: 646 · Posted: Tue Jun 14, 2005 6:24 pm Post subject:

I don't know of a specific reason, but it seems to be a problem with your old router. By removing your old router from the system, whatever the problem was is likely to be solved. Also, there's no point in having extra routers on your network, when only one is necessary. Simple == good.

If you still have reason to keep using your old router, you should at least make sure its firmware is up to date.

Posts: 646 · Posted: Tue Jun 14, 2005 6:28 pm Post subject:

About the switch... the four ports on the router are basically just linked to each other. If you turn off the "router part", then those 4 ports are still usable for connecting stuff.

Turning off DHCP is important, because you don't want it to interfere with the other DHCP server on the network. You can look further into the settings to disable more stuff like NAT, if the router allows it. Don't bother hooking anything into the WAN port.

Once you've got the router derouterified, you just connect one of its LAN ports into a LAN port on the RT31P2. The three additional LAN ports will act like an extension of the same network, so you'll effectively have a 5-port RT31P2.

Posts: 7 · New Forum Member Joined: May 05, 2005 Posts: 7

Thanks for your explanation. I like the moto "simple == good". So, I will let you know how this works. Best regards.