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Connecting Router to Network

Red Falcon

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Hi guys. I'm looking at connecting a router to a network. Basically would like to have a wifi running in an office block so that I can print and share files without having to use an ethernet connection like they currently do.

So the ethernet in the office comes from a switch. I'd like to connect it(cable) to the router.

My question is in order to still be part of the original network and be able to find printers and other devices.

1) Do I connect ethernet to wan port or lan port.
2) Do I disable dhcp on router.
3) Is this even possible ?

All help will be highly appreciated.

Kind Regards
 
A router has two "sides" to it, the WAN and the LAN sides (in commercial routers anyway). The Lan side acts like a normal switch with some extra fluff that the router adds to the mix, but for all intents and purposes it's just a switch. Anything you connect up on that side will be on the same network. If you already have a dhcp server on the network then you'll need to turn off the dhcp server on the router if you don't want them to clash. You should also look for some dhcp pass through settings so that it gets passed between the switch where it will be coming into and the WiFi.
 
Hi There,

Point 1 ) Connect to lan, if its just for WiFi and not the main router
Point 2 ) Definitely disable dhcp on the router especially if you have a main router/server that has dhcp enabled. Don't want them to clash like Mr Ian said
Point 3 ) 110% possible
 
Thanks so much for the replies..

Do I need to change the lan ip address of the router . Or do I just disable dhcp and I'm good to go ?
 
You will have to set the LAN IP to something that does not clash with the existing IPs on the network. Either an IP in the same subnet that is not used, or an IP in a different subnet.

Either get an IP from whomever runs the existing IP allocation, or go the different subnet route. You may need to do some IP scanning to determine which subnets are in use.
 
You need an Access Point, not a Router.
 
You need an Access Point, not a Router.

You can still use a router for WiFi. He doesn't necessarily need an Access Point specific device but anyways each to his own. OP said he has a router and if it has WiFi functionality then there is no reason for him not to use it. He just needs to disable DHCP and give it a static IP
 
Thank you very much for the responses. Will give it a try.

1) Disable dhcp.
2) IP address already on different subnet.

So should work right?
My most Important outcome is to be able to print wirelessly to the printers that are currently on the network.
 
Thank you very much for the responses. Will give it a try.

1) Disable dhcp.
2) IP address already on different subnet.

So should work right?
My most Important outcome is to be able to print wirelessly to the printers that are currently on the network.

What router is it? It may already have an option to run in Access Point mode. Change it to that mode and you are set. When in this mode you can also setup the Wifi. Just don't plug anything into the WAN port.
 
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You can still use a router for WiFi. He doesn't necessarily need an Access Point specific device but anyways each to his own. OP said he has a router and if it has WiFi functionality then there is no reason for him not to use it. He just needs to disable DHCP and give it a static IP

Certainly it can be make into an AP yes if done as you say and of course the WAN port isn't used in any way.

I missed the part where he already had one in hand.

But as was said previously if this is in an office environment I would be damn sure to run it past IT who will probably not allow it.

Static IP on a corporate network that nobody is aware of is also a very bad idea.
 
I did a bit of networking , and a basic course in networks
... just a bit rusty at times. I'd rather ask for advise before attempting something. It's a new environment for me as I changed jobs , so I'd rather take things slowly and learn about the current network layout etc before attempting anything. I was also the IT guy at my previous work.
 
What router is it? It may already have an option to run in Access Point mode. Change it to that mode and you are set. When in this mode you can also setup the Wifi. Just don't plug anything into the WAN port.

You’d want it on the same subnet otherwise you likely won’t find those printers etc.

Using DHCP to get an IP would likely be better than going static but then you’ll struggle to connect to the device itself if you need to.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro
 
You’d want it on the same subnet otherwise you likely won’t find those printers etc.
The router bridges the LAN ports and WiFi , so its IP has no effect.

Using DHCP to get an IP would likely be better than going static but then you’ll struggle to connect to the device itself if you need to.
Very few of these "simple" routers support being DHCP clients on the LAN side, they assume they are the DHCP server.

On a side note: It is always a good idea to assign fixed IP addresses to any device that forms part of network infrastructure. DHCP is meant for devices that come and go...
 
The router bridges the LAN ports and WiFi , so its IP has no effect.

If it is exceptionally dumb, possibly.

Very few of these "simple" routers support being DHCP clients on the LAN side, they assume they are the DHCP server.

It is rare, but sometimes there.

On a side note: It is always a good idea to assign fixed IP addresses to any device that forms part of network infrastructure. DHCP is meant for devices that come and go...

Yes, when you own and manage the network.

When someone else does, it’s not such a clever idea and could even see you in a disciplinary hearing if someone makes enough of a stink.




Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro
 
So just an update. This worked out perfectly.
Printing from a laptop just got so much easier for myself and the colleagues. Should have seen the look on their faces when I demonstrated what they can do now.

Thanks for all the help and advise guys.
 
So just an update. This worked out perfectly.
Printing from a laptop just got so much easier for myself and the colleagues. Should have seen the look on their faces when I demonstrated what they can do now.

Thanks for all the help and advise guys.
Welcome to the 21st century...

Sent from my SM-G950F using Tapatalk
 

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