New network with Win8

JustLearning

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I’m pretty new at networking (and brand new to windows 8)and looking for a little advice. My question is simply, does anyone see anyproblems with this configuration, or have any suggestions? Here is what I planon installing:

  • Linksys x2000 wireless ADSL router/modem (I want to use itfor the modem, but I choose a combo so it could also serve as a backup router if the other one goes down)
  • Linksys EA6200 SMART WiFi router (I intend to use this forthe primary network)
  • WD Mybook live 3TB personal cloud (I want to set it up for allcomputers on the network to auto-backup)
  • 2 Vista laptops, 2 Win7 laptops, 3 Win8 laptops
For a little background, there are four people in myhousehold. We have old laptops, and a wireless network with old, very basicmodem/router that are showing signs of failing. It was set up for casual useseveral years ago, but now 3 members of the house are telecommuting. We had toorder new Win8 laptops for work, but we want to keep using our old ones assecondary computers. There is also a smartphone in the house now, and willprobably be 4 of them soon. I know our network equipment is old, slow, andlacking backup so I decided it was a good time to overhaul it and get newer,faster, network equipment that will hopefully be more reliable.
The router, modem, Mybook, and Win8 laptops were ordered thesame day, so I’m hoping to get everything set up at the same time. I want to doit that way because our current router (zone alarm) is cranky about adding newcomputers, so I don’t want to go through adding 3 of them and have to do it allover with a new network. Also, since these are for work, I want to set upauto-backup with them from the get-go. The problem is, due to varying work schedulesour internet is in demand 7 days a week. We’ve arranged to take a day off whileI set all of this up, but I have to have it up and running by the next day. That’swhy I’m gathering as much info as I can before I start. Any input that anyonehas is greatly appreciated!
 

My Computer

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    Intel, various
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In this type of network it's usually best to let the modem/router combo handle the DHCP assignments. You would also want to turn off DHCP on the secondary router,this will put both routers into the same subnet using the same default gateway etc.

You should be able to see the IP of the second router on the DHCP list on the modem/router. Then just use that IP to access the second router so you can set it up as an access point.

If the modem/router also has wireless then you have two wireless access points which tends to cover a house better depending on placement of the A/P's. :)
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro WMC
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Home built
    CPU
    Q9650 @ 4.05 GHz
    Motherboard
    Gforce 780i SLI FTW
    Memory
    8GB Gskill DDR2 1200Mhz
    Graphics Card(s)
    GTX-480
    Sound Card
    Asus D2 Xonar
    Monitor(s) Displays
    HannsG
    Screen Resolution
    1680x1050
    Hard Drives
    Gskill 120GB SSD
    PSU
    Thermal Take 1000watts
    Case
    Thermal Take Xtreme
    Cooling
    9 fans air cooled
    Keyboard
    G15 logitech
    Mouse
    G9 logitech
    Internet Speed
    50mbps
Checking all the specs for the hardware, it looks more than capable of handling what you need network wise....

2 ways of doing this either make the X2000 work in to modem ONLY mode if possible and let the router handle the DHCP.

OR

Make sure the DHCP server is OFF in the EA6200 and just route everything to the X2000's IP address and let it handle the DHCP.


I went the first route with my setup and it works fine , the modem/wifi router is just sitting there as dumb modem and my wifi router is doing all the donkey work of controlling/routing the network packets , assigning IP addresses and serving as a DLNA server for the attached external USB 3 drive enclosure.

Having more than one DHCP server working in a network will give you a LOT of headaches.

I'm sure you'll manage fine :geek:

Just a quick note,....if you ARE thinking of plugging something into the LAN ports , the X2000 only has 100mbit not gigabit ports also the X2000 doesn't include IvP6 , I'm assuming you don't need that and you'll plug anything into the router anyway instead of the modem.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Memory
    6 GB
    Screen Resolution
    1280 x 1024
    Hard Drives
    12 TB in 6 disks
    PSU
    TX650
    Keyboard
    G15
    Mouse
    Intellimouse 3.0
    Internet Speed
    100 Mbits
    Browser
    Chrome
    Antivirus
    Trend Micro
Thanks for the fast replies! :)
I'll be sure to turn off DHCP on one of them. I don't know how to do that, but I assume that will be in the router instructions.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win Vista/7/8 on different machines
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Dell, various
    CPU
    Intel, various
    Memory
    6Gig Ram on all machines
    Graphics Card(s)
    ?
    Browser
    Internet explorer
    Antivirus
    Zone Alarm extreme security
Thanks for the fast replies! :)
I'll be sure to turn off DHCP on one of them. I don't know how to do that, but I assume that will be in the router instructions.

Both have a checkbox option to disable the DHCP in their web menus according to the manuals , so it should be easy...

One more thing , try not to use the X2000's setup disk if possible...it's known to cause 'issues' by leaving a few silly security holes in the settings it applies according to various review websites , connect to the modem and set it up using the web interface if you can.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Memory
    6 GB
    Screen Resolution
    1280 x 1024
    Hard Drives
    12 TB in 6 disks
    PSU
    TX650
    Keyboard
    G15
    Mouse
    Intellimouse 3.0
    Internet Speed
    100 Mbits
    Browser
    Chrome
    Antivirus
    Trend Micro
Thanks!!! I'm trying to be extra careful with security, especially since there is company info on our computers.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win Vista/7/8 on different machines
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Dell, various
    CPU
    Intel, various
    Memory
    6Gig Ram on all machines
    Graphics Card(s)
    ?
    Browser
    Internet explorer
    Antivirus
    Zone Alarm extreme security
Checking all the specs for the hardware, it looks more than capable of handling what you need network wise....

2 ways of doing this either make the X2000 work in to modem ONLY mode if possible and let the router handle the DHCP.

OR

Make sure the DHCP server is OFF in the EA6200 and just route everything to the X2000's IP address and let it handle the DHCP.

Would either way be more secure/faster/more stable etc.?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win Vista/7/8 on different machines
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Dell, various
    CPU
    Intel, various
    Memory
    6Gig Ram on all machines
    Graphics Card(s)
    ?
    Browser
    Internet explorer
    Antivirus
    Zone Alarm extreme security
Checking all the specs for the hardware, it looks more than capable of handling what you need network wise....

2 ways of doing this either make the X2000 work in to modem ONLY mode if possible and let the router handle the DHCP.

OR

Make sure the DHCP server is OFF in the EA6200 and just route everything to the X2000's IP address and let it handle the DHCP.

Would either way be more secure/faster/more stable etc.?

It's up to you , I tend to follow the adage of 'simpler is better' when deciding how to setup home networks , thats why I generally let the WAN facing modem do what it's good at , handling the stuff going in/out of the WAN and leave the LAN side stuff (routing/DHCP etc) to the router.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Memory
    6 GB
    Screen Resolution
    1280 x 1024
    Hard Drives
    12 TB in 6 disks
    PSU
    TX650
    Keyboard
    G15
    Mouse
    Intellimouse 3.0
    Internet Speed
    100 Mbits
    Browser
    Chrome
    Antivirus
    Trend Micro
Without IPv6 you won't be able to set up a Homegroup and 100Mb LAN is so ten years ago, you could definitely do better with a regular modem and Gb LAN wireless router, one that can handle at least 300Mbps wireless and has IPv6, which most any decent router made in the last ten years should have.

Homegroups come in very handy for security as it creates a security gate between the Workgroup and Homegroup machines.

Most anyone joining your network will have access to all shared files unless you have a Homegroup set up. Homegroup is like having a Domain within a Workgroup.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro WMC
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Home built
    CPU
    Q9650 @ 4.05 GHz
    Motherboard
    Gforce 780i SLI FTW
    Memory
    8GB Gskill DDR2 1200Mhz
    Graphics Card(s)
    GTX-480
    Sound Card
    Asus D2 Xonar
    Monitor(s) Displays
    HannsG
    Screen Resolution
    1680x1050
    Hard Drives
    Gskill 120GB SSD
    PSU
    Thermal Take 1000watts
    Case
    Thermal Take Xtreme
    Cooling
    9 fans air cooled
    Keyboard
    G15 logitech
    Mouse
    G9 logitech
    Internet Speed
    50mbps
Without IPv6 you won't be able to set up a Homegroup and 100Mb LAN is so ten years ago, you could definitely do better with a regular modem and Gb LAN wireless router, one that can handle at least 300Mbps wireless and has IPv6, which most any decent router made in the last ten years should have.

Homegroups come in very handy for security as it creates a security gate between the Workgroup and Homegroup machines.

Most anyone joining your network will have access to all shared files unless you have a Homegroup set up. Homegroup is like having a Domain within a Workgroup.

The router sitting behind his modem has IPv6 and 4 gigbit LAN ports...so he should be covered homegroup wise.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Memory
    6 GB
    Screen Resolution
    1280 x 1024
    Hard Drives
    12 TB in 6 disks
    PSU
    TX650
    Keyboard
    G15
    Mouse
    Intellimouse 3.0
    Internet Speed
    100 Mbits
    Browser
    Chrome
    Antivirus
    Trend Micro
Without IPv6 you won't be able to set up a Homegroup and 100Mb LAN is so ten years ago, you could definitely do better with a regular modem and Gb LAN wireless router, one that can handle at least 300Mbps wireless and has IPv6, which most any decent router made in the last ten years should have.

Homegroups come in very handy for security as it creates a security gate between the Workgroup and Homegroup machines.

Most anyone joining your network will have access to all shared files unless you have a Homegroup set up. Homegroup is like having a Domain within a Workgroup.

The router sitting behind his modem has IPv6 and 4 gigbit LAN ports...so he should be covered homegroup wise.

Not so sure about that as anything connecting to the modem/router won't have IPv6.

What would be the point of having a piece of hardware that drags down the entire network just by plugging into it or connecting wirelessly.

Remember that the secondary router will be plugged into the modem/router which drags down all connected ports to 100Mb.

Also if DHCP is being used from the modem/router then IPv6 won't be working. This modem/router is really not up to modem standards at all. I assume the Op asked for this type of advice?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro WMC
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Home built
    CPU
    Q9650 @ 4.05 GHz
    Motherboard
    Gforce 780i SLI FTW
    Memory
    8GB Gskill DDR2 1200Mhz
    Graphics Card(s)
    GTX-480
    Sound Card
    Asus D2 Xonar
    Monitor(s) Displays
    HannsG
    Screen Resolution
    1680x1050
    Hard Drives
    Gskill 120GB SSD
    PSU
    Thermal Take 1000watts
    Case
    Thermal Take Xtreme
    Cooling
    9 fans air cooled
    Keyboard
    G15 logitech
    Mouse
    G9 logitech
    Internet Speed
    50mbps
Thank you both for your help. All advice is appreciated.
I do have a couple more questions…

In regards to the modem speed - if all network devices are connected through the secondary router, would the modem speed slow down filesharing etc across the network, or just affect the internet speed? If it’s justthe internet, I’m not sure that would affect me, because I’m in a semi-rural area and the fastest internet available is DSL from the local phone company with advertised speeds of 12Mbps up and 512Kbps down, actual speed averages 10 to 10.5 up. What DSL router would you recommend?

Also, about homegroups I had never set one up, I didn’tthink of the security benefits, I thought it was for file/printer sharing which was workning fine. Would Vista/Win7/Win8 computers get along in one workgroup?Could (and should) the NAS be included in the homegroup?

Thanks again for all of your help
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win Vista/7/8 on different machines
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Dell, various
    CPU
    Intel, various
    Memory
    6Gig Ram on all machines
    Graphics Card(s)
    ?
    Browser
    Internet explorer
    Antivirus
    Zone Alarm extreme security
Thank you both for your help. All advice is appreciated.
I do have a couple more questions…

In regards to the modem speed - if all network devices are connected through the secondary router, would the modem speed slow down filesharing etc across the network, or just affect the internet speed? If it’s justthe internet, I’m not sure that would affect me, because I’m in a semi-rural area and the fastest internet available is DSL from the local phone company with advertised speeds of 12Mbps up and 512Kbps down, actual speed averages 10 to 10.5 up. What DSL router would you recommend?

Also, about homegroups I had never set one up, I didn’tthink of the security benefits, I thought it was for file/printer sharing which was workning fine. Would Vista/Win7/Win8 computers get along in one workgroup?Could (and should) the NAS be included in the homegroup?

Thanks again for all of your help

The only limiter for your LAN transfer speeds between your PCs would be the connection speed to your wifi on the router , (I'm assuming thats how you all will be connected) , the modem wouldn't factor into it as none of the data would be going externally.


As for the homegroup , I've never used one myself , but in 'theory' win 7 and 8 should work fine together in a homegroup.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Memory
    6 GB
    Screen Resolution
    1280 x 1024
    Hard Drives
    12 TB in 6 disks
    PSU
    TX650
    Keyboard
    G15
    Mouse
    Intellimouse 3.0
    Internet Speed
    100 Mbits
    Browser
    Chrome
    Antivirus
    Trend Micro
I don't plan on connecting anything to the modem except for the WiFi router, so it sounds like it should work.

I'm grateful for all of the advice. I don't post often, but I've been coming to these forums since the original Vista Support Forums and I learn more from people (like Wullail and chev65) who generously share their knowledge than I've ever learned from a book. Thanks guys! :)
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win Vista/7/8 on different machines
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Dell, various
    CPU
    Intel, various
    Memory
    6Gig Ram on all machines
    Graphics Card(s)
    ?
    Browser
    Internet explorer
    Antivirus
    Zone Alarm extreme security
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