Switch is preventing connections to the LAN

xri · 01-25-2009, 07:55 PM

My setting:

Quote:

cableISP
|
Router---Switch---PC1
|
PC2

Switch=http://www.ciao.com/Rosewill_RC_406_...orts__15362553
Router=Belkin N; IP=192.168.2.1
PC1=Windows Vista Home; IP=192.168.15.2
PC2=Slackware 12.1; IP=192.168.2.4

The Router is configured to act as a DHCP server. Both boxes are configured for dynamic IP.
Both boxes can connect well to the Internet.

My problem: None of the boxes can see each other. It's impossible to ping each other. I can't set up a network. It's a nightmare.

Please help.

MS3FGX · 01-25-2009, 08:21 PM

Have you tried connecting both computers directly to the switch, setting manual IPs, and then pinging? You might also just want to try unplugging the switch for a little to let the MAC table clear. It could be there was some corruption in the tables, though it seems pretty unlikely.

Also, I assume there is some reason for the switch that you haven't explained? By the looks of that diagram, you could just connect both computers directly to the router's built-in switch.

jschiwal · 01-25-2009, 09:22 PM

Quote:

PC1=Windows Vista Home; IP=192.168.15.2
PC2=Slackware 12.1; IP=192.168.2.4

If the computers have a netmask of 255.255.255.0, then they are on different subnets. Either 1) change the netmask to 255.255.0.0, or 2) change the IP addresses so they are on different subnets or 3) add a route rule to each of the PCs so that they don't use the default gateway address when trying to connect to each other.

xri · 01-27-2009, 08:57 PM

Thank you guys for the tips. I'll put them into practice tomorrow when I get to the office.

xri · 02-09-2009, 10:34 PM

As embarrassing as it is for me, I found out that somebody placed an ATA linked to a phone between the switch and the computer, so this ATA was acting like a DHCP server for that computer. I know, I should have checked the wiring before. I just saw the damn thing on that desk but thought it had been connected independently from the computer. Problem solved.