Two Network Cards - how to configure

  • Thread starter Thread starter pjay
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pjay

My Gigabyte GA-K8NNXP mobo has two LAN connectors both independantly
configurable.

I would like to use the second LAN to connect directly to my HP Laserjet 4
which uses 192.168.13 (255.255.255.0) as it's setup - by doing this I should
be able to dump the hub and it's cables, power etc.

Presently the printer connects to the hub along with the other home computer
on 192.168.0.2 (255.255.255.0) via the mobo's first LAN port on 192.168.0.1
(255.255.255.0) - all working properly including ICS.

However I cannot access the printer via the second LAN port regardless of
what IP address etc I use. The status is "connected" so I assume the
electrics are ok and I have confirmed the link speed is correct - just no
action. When I spool a file to the printer I note the send light flashing -
I assume this is sending stuff to the printer but there is no response being
sent back - or the send is not being received.

I note that the Gigabyte card has a 'bridging' facility - I tried this but
being a little (totally!) ignorant on what one would use this for or if it
would be of use in this application it did not advance my case!

Hope this makes sense ....

Regards
Paul J
 
pjay said:
My Gigabyte GA-K8NNXP mobo has two LAN connectors both independantly
configurable.

I would like to use the second LAN to connect directly to my HP Laserjet 4
which uses 192.168.13 (255.255.255.0) as it's setup - by doing this I should
be able to dump the hub and it's cables, power etc.

Presently the printer connects to the hub along with the other home computer
on 192.168.0.2 (255.255.255.0) via the mobo's first LAN port on 192.168.0.1
(255.255.255.0) - all working properly including ICS.

However I cannot access the printer via the second LAN port regardless of
what IP address etc I use. The status is "connected" so I assume the
electrics are ok and I have confirmed the link speed is correct - just no
action. When I spool a file to the printer I note the send light flashing -
I assume this is sending stuff to the printer but there is no response being
sent back - or the send is not being received.

I note that the Gigabyte card has a 'bridging' facility - I tried this but
being a little (totally!) ignorant on what one would use this for or if it
would be of use in this application it did not advance my case!

Hope this makes sense ....

Regards
Paul J
Click to expand...



Yes, what you want to do is possible.

But first, stop and think if that's what you really want to do.
Your existing config is working, and is a well-known and easily expandable
configuration.
Both machines can access the printer independently of each other.
By dumping the hub, PC2 needs to access the printer via PC1.
Basically, you are loosing functionality for no real gain.
My gut instinct in your case would be to leave it alone.

To do what you want, then then what I'd do is:

1) Connect PC2 <-> PC1 port 1 with a CROSSOVER cable.
( not the reguar patch cable you already use with the hub. )

2) Connect the Printer <-> PC1 port 2 with a CROSSOVER cable.
( not the reguar patch cable already connecting the printer to the hub. )

3) Re-assign the IP addresses to make the 2 network segments different
subnets:

PC2: 192.168.0.2 / 255.255.255.0 ( as is. )

PC1, port 1 : 192.168.0.1 / 255.255.255.0 ( as is. )
PC1, port 2 : 192.168.1.1 / 255.255.255.0 ( changed onto the 192.168.1.x
subnet )

Printer: 192.168.1.2 / 255.255.255.0 ( changed onto the 192.168.1.x
subnet )
( change using front panel or telnet or web interface. )

This re-assignment is so that PC1 knows which network adapter to use for
which devices.

4) Check you can ping PC2's IP address and the printer's IP address from
PC1.

5) Change the settings on PC1's printer settings to point to the new IP
address:
Go to the printers folder, r-click the printer, properties, ports tab.
The currently selected port will be a Standard TCP/IP port.
We need to create a new TCP/IP port, pointing to the new IP address of the
printer.
Add port, Select 'standard TCP/IP port', New port.
Follow the wizard, enter the printer's new IP address, accept all the
defaults.
The printer deiver should now be pointing to the new IP address.

Try printing a test page.

6) If you want to print to the printer from PC2, then share it on
PC1 and connect to the share.
( Alternatively, It's also possible to use IP forwarding on PC1 to directly
route IP from PC2 to printer. )


Now do you see why I'd leave it alone?
 
Ron Lowe said:
Yes, what you want to do is possible.

But first, stop and think if that's what you really want to do.
Your existing config is working, and is a well-known and easily expandable
configuration.
Both machines can access the printer independently of each other.
By dumping the hub, PC2 needs to access the printer via PC1.
Basically, you are loosing functionality for no real gain.
My gut instinct in your case would be to leave it alone.

To do what you want, then then what I'd do is:

1) Connect PC2 <-> PC1 port 1 with a CROSSOVER cable.
( not the reguar patch cable you already use with the hub. )

2) Connect the Printer <-> PC1 port 2 with a CROSSOVER cable.
( not the reguar patch cable already connecting the printer to the hub. )

3) Re-assign the IP addresses to make the 2 network segments different
subnets:

PC2: 192.168.0.2 / 255.255.255.0 ( as is. )

PC1, port 1 : 192.168.0.1 / 255.255.255.0 ( as is. )
PC1, port 2 : 192.168.1.1 / 255.255.255.0 ( changed onto the 192.168.1.x
subnet )

Printer: 192.168.1.2 / 255.255.255.0 ( changed onto the 192.168.1.x
subnet )
( change using front panel or telnet or web interface. )

This re-assignment is so that PC1 knows which network adapter to use for
which devices.

4) Check you can ping PC2's IP address and the printer's IP address from
PC1.

5) Change the settings on PC1's printer settings to point to the new IP
address:
Go to the printers folder, r-click the printer, properties, ports tab.
The currently selected port will be a Standard TCP/IP port.
We need to create a new TCP/IP port, pointing to the new IP address of the
printer.
Add port, Select 'standard TCP/IP port', New port.
Follow the wizard, enter the printer's new IP address, accept all the
defaults.
The printer deiver should now be pointing to the new IP address.

Try printing a test page.

6) If you want to print to the printer from PC2, then share it on
PC1 and connect to the share.
( Alternatively, It's also possible to use IP forwarding on PC1 to directly
route IP from PC2 to printer. )


Now do you see why I'd leave it alone?
Click to expand...

LOL - yes I take your point Ron - and many thanks for the advice. I am an
inveterate tinkerer and will give it a go as you suggest.

The Gigabyte LAN port runs at 100MPS (which the hub doesn't) so it is a fair
bit faster that way, but your comments re the printer cable have set me
thinking - I had assumed that the printer and its cable would be a 'client'
and as such connect directly into the PC LAN ? You are saying no to this -
so - if I leave the printer on the hub as a test and config the LANs as you
suggest then it should leap into life.

Onward -

Kind regards
Paul J
 
I doubt you'll see any actual speed increase moving the printer to the
100Mbit port.
The LAN speed is probably not a factor in your printing speed.

As regards cabling, think of it like this:

Computers, printers, WAPs, and other network 'devices' are internally wired
one way.
Network hubs, switches, wall jacks and other network 'infrastructure' are
wired another.

Regular patch cables are used to connect dis-similar types.
eg: Computer to hub, printer to hub.
This is the most common scenario.

Crossover cables are used to connect similar devices.
eg: Computer to computer; hub to hub, computer to printer.
Typically used only if you are trying to network without a hub,
or if you are cascading multiple hubs.

Note that many hubs and switches have a special uplink option which can turn
one port
into a 'Computer' type port, so it can be uplinked ( cascaded ) to another
hub's regular
hub-type port without a crossover cable.
 
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