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    [Network] Connecting Laptop to Network Switch

    Discussion in 'Networking and Wireless' started by Molite, Aug 8, 2012.

  1. Molite

    Molite Notebook Enthusiast

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    Hey guys!

    I have a little problem here that is confusing me a lot.

    I have a router and the connections are wired through my entire house and I'm able to connect to the internet using one of my ports in another room.

    In my room I am able to connect my laptop with a regular CAT5 cable and the Internet/LAN work perfectly. However because I also have a PS3 and would greatly prefer using a wired connection I bought this network switch:

    Amazon.com: Belkin 5-Port 10/100 Network Switch (E4G0500): Computers & Accessories

    I'm usually good at this stuff and I connected it once beautifully. I connect the Router Cable into the #5 port of the Switch as shown in the manual. I then connect another cable from the switch (using 3 ports before #5) to my laptop and it doesn't work. It used to work but I did some rearrangement to hide the cable and now it doesn't work.

    The lights turn on and the laptop says connected to the Internet however the internet doesn't work.

    When I tried doing the same thing to my desktop in another room it worked.

    I have no idea what I have to do to make it work with my laptop.

    I have tried multiple cables and they all seem to connect to the internet fine but when it's through the switch it doesn't work.

    Any ideas?

    Thanks!
     
    Molite, Aug 8, 2012
    #1
  2. Beefsticks

    Beefsticks Notebook Consultant

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    Technically in networking a switch alone cannot interconnect to outside networks like the internet... you need a router before it or a layer 3 capable switch for that functionality in 1 device. Check the switches' setup for an option to act as a gateway and also check for the option to act as a DHCP server. Make sure both are enabled.

    If you have a separate router and then a switch, only have the router as the DHCP server and gateway and turn them off in the switch.
     
    Beefsticks, Aug 8, 2012
    #2
  3. tijo

    tijo Sacred Blame

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    If the switch is connected directly to your router, i don see why there should be a problem, it could be a firewall or network setting either on the switch if it's configurable or somewhere in the laptop's network settings.
     
    tijo, Aug 9, 2012
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  4. Molite

    Molite Notebook Enthusiast

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    Ya the thing is why it's not connecting with my laptop but does connect with my desktop.

    Okay I asked my dad and he said not to connect it with the #5 port and connect the internet to #2 and the laptop to #1. Worked.

    Although when I connected the same setup before with my desktop it worked, but why not with my laptop? Meaning Router is #5 and Laptop is number #2.
     
    Molite, Aug 9, 2012
    #4