Problem Configuring Secondary Router

[timewilltell]

Hi to all you gurus out there!

I have a cellular based modem/router to supply my internet service out here in the country where I can't get broadband.

Recently in an effort to speed up my services & extend my wireless range, I disabled DHCP in my NetCom 3G10WVR modem/router (called a "Rocket Hub" - piece of excrement, really!). Then I fed my internet service to a new d-link DIR655 N300+ router, and connected my clients to it. Any PC directly wired to the d-link worked fine, and had access to the internet.

However, I have two in an area fed by a single CAT5 cable, and had them connected through a dumb switch (an old d-link router configured as such). Here’s where it gets weird – both clients attached via the dumb switch do connect to the N300+, and their statically configure IPs can been seen there, but they can’t connect to the internet. If I eliminate the switch & one PC, connecting a single one directly, everything is fine.

What am I missing, and is there a setting I can use to enable internet traffic to route properly through a dumb switch connected to a secondary router?

[Terryl]

Dump the "Old D-link router" your using as a switch, it may be the culprit, get a real 10/100 network switch in there.

[satchick]

Don't use a dumb switch, get yourself a proper managed switch...The price difference isn't that much anymore either when you're looking at consumer grade stuff.

[user02010]

It sort of sounds like a DNS issue.

I assume the IPs are statically configured on the computers themselves? Make sure DNS is configured first in the IP settings, and try giving it the Google DNS server which is 8.8.8.8 and see if it connects.

Alternatively, use your second DLink router as a router with DHCP enabled and not a switch (it sounds like you have disabled a feature in the DLink router to make it act as a switch). It sounds a little redudant, but as long as you aren't sharing anything between the computers, it should connect to the internet without any problems.

[satchick]

I don't like having multiple DHCP servers, as clients on the first router won't be able to see clients on the second. Routing between the two becomes rather involved.

[drevil]

The "router" as switch is most likely your culprit.
You're probably getting DHCP information from two different routers, and that involves getting different routing and DNS settings.
Get a real 1000mbps switch. No need to get managed, but I'd get a known brand such as Netgear, or D-link.
I'd like to reiterate that unless you're a network pro, there's NEVER a good reason to have multiple DHCP servers (usually consumer grade routers) on your network, as in the best case scenario things will not work in a stable manner.