help with networking

[nhat_18]

Does anyone know how to setup a network using the usb and ethernet port?
Both computers have an internet connection... but I cant share files or printers etc.:confused:

[veroxii]

Try this:

http://www.homenethelp.com/home-network.asp

[nhat_18]

Hi,
The link doesnt help. I think, first of all, I need to know whether the nb1300 allows a LAN connection. Does anyone know?

[Support]

The NB1300 Supports both LAN Ethernet and USB connections. Infact more than 90% of our customers using the NB1300 connect through a LAN connection.

Swiftel Support Team

[nhat_18]

Does that mean that the computer connected to the ethernet port can share files and printers with the computer connected to the usb port?

[veroxii]

Originally posted by nhat_18
Does that mean that the computer connected to the ethernet port can share files and printers with the computer connected to the usb port?

Hmm... I don't have this modem, so I went and looked up the spec sheet. It does say in there that you can use the ethernet and usb ports simultaneously. So, most possibly you could do that. Although I reckon it's going to give you headaches at some point.

My personal recommendation would be to buy a small Ethernet switch/hub (can be gotten for under a hundred bucks), and connect that to the ethernet port of your modem. Then connect your 2 PCs to the hub as well via ethernet.

The great thing about this is that you don't need any special drivers or software on your PCs... if they've got tcp/ip, you're set to go. If your friends come over, they simply plug their machine into your hub and voila it all works.

If you have the money, get a switch that has WiFi included, so then you can use your laptop anywhere in the house no problem.

[nhat_18]

hmmm... I really dont want to spend any money on a hub since I've only got 2 computers to connect.

Is there really no way to do it through the nb1300?

[veroxii]

Originally posted by nhat_18
Is there really no way to do it through the nb1300?

If you read my post again, you'll see I said "you could most possibly do so", since Netcomm claims that you can use both ports at the same time.

Ok... I found out the following... (after trying to browse through some stuff on netcomm's website).

You can use the Ethernet port and the USB port simultaneously. See http://kb.netcomm.com.au/messages/619/1588.html?1041814830

All you do is install the USB driver on the PC you want to connect via USB. It then installs a virtual Ethernet interface under windows, which for all intents and purposes behaves like a normal ethernet adaptor. Meaning you'll get an IP address etc served to you via DHCP.

Your second PC with the Ethernet card, you connect to the via a cross-over UTP cable to the NB1300.

Now I figure you've already got it set up in this configuration, since you mention that both PCs have internet.

So the problem is that your two PCs can't see each other, right?

There might be more at work here than just the modem/router... Windows networking can be fickle to get going right at the best of times.

I think you need to give us some more info, such as what operating systems you are running on the two PCs (exact Windows version would be useful).

Also, in the meantime, see if your PCs can ping each other. (get their IP addresses by typing "ipconfig" from the command line).

PS: According to Netcomm, their Technical Manual will be released soon. That's what we REALLY need to look at! :cool:

Cheers,
-V

[nhat_18]

Thanks for your reply.

Both computers are running WindowsXP Professional Version 2002.
I cant ping from one computer to another either...

The gateway is: 192.168.1.1
Subnet is: 255.255.255.0
My PC ip is: 192.168.1.2
My other pc ip is: 192.168.1.3

[influxus]

What information is in the route table on the modem administration page?

[nhat_18]

Route Table

Destination
0.0.0.0
192.168.1.0
127.0.0.1
202.154.95.169

Netmask
0.0.0.0
255.255.255.0
255.0.0.0
255.255.255.255

Gateway
202.154.95.169
192.168.1.1
127.0.0.1
202.154.112.120

Interface
ppp1
br0
lo0
ppp1

This is the information thats in my route table. I have no idea what it means so Im very grateful that you're helping me.

[influxus]

Like veroxii I don't have an NB1300. So this is a bit hamfisted. Your route table looks like it should for your computers to find each other (see below for details). Either there is some kind of packet/filtering going on either on your computers or on the NB1300, as veroxii suggested, or this ain't possible.

(scuse if this is over-simplified)

On your computers:
bring up: Control Panel -> Network and Internet connections -> network connections -> (the interface device you are using ) -> properties -> advanced

and check internet connection firewall is not operable. (if they are and you want firewalling then you'll need to enable those services you want)

If it's the NB1300 I think we need more info: what sorts of options are there in the NAT & LAN/DHCP windows. I can't find details on the netcomm knowledge base.

______________

Route Table Info:

Destination: Self-explanatory. In the case of 0.0.0.0 means *any* address except those specified below. In the case of 192.168.1.0 means any address in the range 192.168.1.(1-255).

Netmask: if you have the address 202.154.1.2 and the netmask is 255.255.0.0 then it means the address of the entire network would be the range 202.154.(1-255).(1-255)

Gateway: The address that can be used to get to the destination. Hence your gateway to the internet is (presumably swiftel's computer) 202.154.95.169. Where as your gateway to your local network (192.168.1.0) is the NB1300 at address 192.168.1.1.

Interface: The name of a device that the router uses to get to each destination. Hence it uses br0 to reach both your computers. It is interesting to note that both the usb port and the ethernet port are using the same interface. I am not sure if that bodes ill for the possibility of using the NB1300 for networking.

[influxus]

Just a thought.

A hub should be no more than $60 (plus extra cables) , with space for 5 connections (2 spare for future use).

If your network cards are upto to it, then it will provide almost 10x the speed of usb for networking.

Also it just *sounds safer* not having all your LAN connections go through your DSL modem.

Mind you I can well understand frugality if at all possible.

[donburch]

Firstly, I don't know whether the NB1300 acts as a hub, allowing PCs on USB and RJ45 connectors to communicate through the modem.

There is a third alternative. It is also possible to daisy-chain modem to PC1 and PC1 to PC2 both using LAN connections BUT (a) you will need 2 NIC cards in PC1 and one in PC2, (b) you will need 2 cross-over cables, (c) you will need to configure Microsoft's "Internet Connection Sharing" or a third party program to share the internet, and (4) PC1 will neet to be powered on for PC2 to access the internet.

For $60 I recommend a hub or switch really will save you time and headache, because (a) it is easily expanded if/when you add a third PC (b) the PCs each access the modem directly, so configuration is much simpler and the PCs can be turned on/off independently.

Mind you I can well understand frugality if at all possible.
Me too ! In order to put off upgrading to an 8-port hub I am using a telephone double adaptor ! ;) I spent several days tearing my hair out before realising that the phone adaptor does have a side-effect.

[nhat_18]

I guess I will just have to get a hub then. Thanks for your time influxus.


"I spent several days tearing my hair out before realising that the phone adaptor does have a side-effect."

What were the side-effects?

[influxus]

http://forum.swiftdsl.com.au/showthread.php?s=&threadid=396