Hoping for network setup help

[twohoos]

Hello all,

Been lurking and doing some research (here and elsewhere) but just haven't been able to put all the pieces of my puzzle together; I'm hoping you can help.

Here's a diagram of my situation and goals/constraints:
http://www.s2ki.com/forums/index.php?act=module&module=gallery&cmd=viewimage&img=673694

Basic description - our home has two structures as follows.

Detached garage/office space contains:

- ONT connection (with both Ethernet and MoCA outputs - we have FiOS Internet only, so I haven't shown the MoCA wiring in the diagram)

- Router #1 (wireless disabled, but even if enabled signal is too weak to cover entire house)

- Desktop PC running XP Pro (w/ Cat5 but not wireless)

- Printer #1 (w/ Cat5 but not wireless)

- 5-port ethernet switch (can be moved to house)

There is Cat5 wiring from the office to the house. The house contains:

- Router #2 (wireless enabled; must be in house for acceptable coverage)

- Laptop #1 running Win7 (Home Premium)

- Laptop #2 running XP Pro

- Printer #2 (w/ Cat5 but not wireless)

- Game console (wireless-ready)

The goals we'd like to achieve are (in order of importance):

1) Both laptops can wirelessly access the shared files on the desktop PC

2) Router #2 (in the house w/ wireless enabled) is the Verizon 9100EM, which has a more powerful signal than our old D-Link DI-624

3) Both laptops can wirelessly print to either of the printers

4) Desktop PC can print to either of the printers

Any tips on configuring the routers (and maybe switch) so that all of these things are possible?

Thanks!

John

[tsauter1]

How are the routers connected? If you have Router1 plugged into the ONT and Router2 plugged into the LAN port on Router1, as long as Router2 is set to work as a bridge(dhcp disabled) you should have no problem seeing any equipment on the network. If Router2 is not set as a Bridge, then you have a subnetted network(1 network inside another network) and without setting up some routing rules you wont be able to see anything in the Office from the house network.

Once you have the routers configured correctly setting up the laptops and pc to print to the printers is simple. Click add printer, select the locally attached option, and follow the prompts.

[twohoos]

That's the gist of my question -- how the two routers should be connected together and configured -- so I left those connections off the diagram. I assume the ONT will connect to Router 1's WAN port, but if something else could work, let me know...

If Router 2 is set up as a bridge, can it still provide wireless connectivity?

[tsauter1 · Accepted solution]

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@twohoos wrote:

That's the gist of my question -- how the two routers should be connected together and configured -- so I left those connections off the diagram. I assume the ONT will connect to Router 1's WAN port, but if something else could work, let me know...

If Router 2 is set up as a bridge, can it still provide wireless connectivity?

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Yes it should go like this ONT------>Router 1 WAN       Router 2 LAN(configured as bridge)------>Router1 LAN.

There are 2 ways to get Wireless out of Router2.

You can either turn the Wireless on and static configure all addresses in both buildings.

OR

If you would rather use DHCP, Go to Router 1 and adjust the ip range to exclude the IP range to be used on the Wireless of Router2. Then set the Wireless DHCP of router2 to the range you excluded from Router1.

[twohoos]

Excellent -- I'm posting this from laptop2, connected wirelessly to router 2, which is connected LAN-LAN to router 1.

Thanks!

John