I need a little help with a rigged network.

[hafaphoto]

Howdy! Problem(s): The place I work at has a VERY rigged network, which by default, I am in charge. There are 15 or so compurters, networked together with a nightmare of hubs, routers, switches... All share a cable internet connection. To be honest, I know very little about networking, I just finished my first Cisco CCNA semester. I do see this network violates just about everything in the textbook!

Here is my problem: I just got 2 more computers up and running, and I get an error about the IP being the same as another computer on the network. What do you recomend? Maybe using a subnet mask? I am lost here! My boss freaks out if the computer next to the one he is using cannot use the internet!

But in my boss's defense, he does let me use several of the best computers to fold, so I can not complain too much! All but one of the computers are using WinXP, one is on 98. All of the computers are using Windows for IP's.

Thanks for your time!

E

[AC Slater]

Setup a DHCP server and have all of the machines on the network just accept everything (IP, DNS, Subnet Mask, etc.) through the DHCP broadcast. That way you won't need to worry about conflicting IP addresses and what not. If you can, you might just want to get a single 24 port or greater switch for the entire network to use as well.

[coin]

If you do ues DHCP don't forget to have either static IPs or better IP reservations on the DHCP server for File Servers, Mail Servers and the like. DHCP should only really be used for desktops for ease of troubleshooting. Your DHCP server and Domain Controler should have fixed IPs only.
You may experience proiblems with DHCP across multiple hubs and switches so change one mmachine at a time. If it becomes too much hassle go with fixed IPs but try to segment your workstaions by subnet according to physical location and the hub they are connected to.

oh and good luck working out your subnets, drove me crazy for weeks until I got it :-)

[Como]

do you use a router, are are they all on a raw connection from the ISP?

i say centralise your mess, and run longer cables. I kepp all of my equipment as close to the internet as i can...for simplicitys sake.

Uplink the router to the internet, uplink all the hubs/switches to the router, and run the computers off of those.

Or do what slater says...which is what i would have to reccomend. Get yourself a 24 port switch, and uplink that to the router...and plug ALL of the computers into that switch.

[Kendan]

Howdy! Problem(s): The place I work at has a VERY rigged network, which by default, I am in charge. There are 15 or so compurters, networked together with a nightmare of hubs, routers, switches... All share a cable internet connection. To be honest, I know very little about networking, I just finished my first Cisco CCNA semester. I do see this network violates just about everything in the textbook!

Here is my problem: I just got 2 more computers up and running, and I get an error about the IP being the same as another computer on the network. What do you recomend? Maybe using a subnet mask? I am lost here! My boss freaks out if the computer next to the one he is using cannot use the internet!

But in my boss's defense, he does let me use several of the best computers to fold, so I can not complain too much! All but one of the computers are using WinXP, one is on 98. All of the computers are using Windows for IP's.

Thanks for your time!

E

Change the IPs of the new computers and document all of the computers IP's and which computers they are assigned, so when you add more you do not use the same Ip's again;) Once you have done that then use that network as a learning project and redesign it on paper. When done to your satisfaction and having it reviewed by others who are capable of setting up networks your size then submit it to your boss for approval to implement. Good luck:D

[hafaphoto]

I appreciate the help. I now have a couple of options to research and try to implement. I am going to research the DHCP and getting a switch. Looks like either way I need to do some re-wiring at the least. Thanks for the help, I will probably be asking for help again after some research.

E

[Keiron]

What is the network doing? What kind of cable are you working with (I'm asuming Cat5e, but it never hurts to ask)?
You're not the only one in CISCO CCNA :P I got 2 or so weeks to go on mine thou.