DOD networking w/wireless router

[kram]

I'm not sure if I'm posting this in the correct forum, but here goes.

I recently added a network connection for DOD using D*'s Network Installation Kit. I have it running through my wireless router. Since I did this, I have been experiencing connection problems when first booting my laptop, which also uses a wireless connection to the Internet. I have to reboot the router in order to get the laptop to connect. I also experience frequent wireless connection losses while working throughout the day.

At first, I thought the problem was with my router. So I went to Best Buy to get a new one. But I talked to one of their Geek Squad folks who said he thought the problem might be with my service provider -- Comcast -- because I have only one MAC address.

I called Comcast and was told that everyone has only one MAC address, and that they don't provide support for third-party hardware. (So, what else is new?)

So, I'm hoping that someone reading this post might have tech savvy to be able to answer my questions:


Was the Geek Squad person correct about the MAC address?
Is my MAC address giving priority to the always-on DOD connection, forcing me to re-boot the router to get the laptop connected?
Can you have more than one MAC address?
Is the problem with the router?
Is anyone else having this problem?


Thanks very much for your assistance.:)

[bobnielsen]

I'm not sure if I'm posting this in the correct forum, but here goes.

I recently added a network connection for DOD using D*'s Network Installation Kit. I have it running through my wireless router. Since I did this, I have been experiencing connection problems when first booting my laptop, which also uses a wireless connection to the Internet. I have to reboot the router in order to get the laptop to connect. I also experience frequent wireless connection losses while working throughout the day.

At first, I thought the problem was with my router. So I went to Best Buy to get a new one. But I talked to one of their Geek Squad folks who said he thought the problem might be with my service provider -- Comcast -- because I have only one MAC address.

I called Comcast and was told that everyone has only one MAC address, and that they don't provide support for third-party hardware. (So, what else is new?)

So, I'm hoping that someone reading this post might have tech savvy to be able to answer my questions:


Was the Geek Squad person correct about the MAC address?
Is my MAC address giving priority to the always-on DOD connection, forcing me to re-boot the router to get the laptop connected?
Can you have more than one MAC address?
Is the problem with the router?
Is anyone else having this problem?


Thanks very much for your assistance.:)

Each networked device has a MAC address. The router uses the MAC address and IP address of the devices to properly route the data.

The laptop should be able to connect to the network independently of the connection of the DVR.

I suspect that something may be misconfigured in your router. Does the laptop have a static IP address or are you using DHCP to have the router assign an address each time the laptop connects? Some routers have the ability to always assign the same IP to a particular MAC address. You may find the manual for the router to be quite helpful here. Most routers have a built-in webserver which allows you to change the configuration (and has considerable help information).

You can find a lot of helpful information in the HR20/21 Information Resources (http://www.dbstalk.com/forumdisplay.php?s=&daysprune=60&f=115) forum (check the sticky threads).

[jdphil99]

All network devices have a MAC address, but the only one Comcast sees is the one of your cable modem. The rest don't matter for what you are doing. It sound like you may have an IP address conflict. If you get IP addresses (network addresses) from DHCP on your router, then there is a chance that your laptop and DirecTV box are trying to use the same IP address. You might try shutting down the router and everything attached to it (wired or wireless). Then reboot the router. After it reboots start everything else one at a time. Hopefully everything gets a new address that doesn't conflict. If that doesn't work you might try disabling DHCP and assigning everything a static IP. It's a pain, but should work well.

[kram]

Each networked device has a MAC address. The router uses the MAC address and IP address of the devices to properly route the data.

The laptop should be able to connect to the network independently of the connection of the DVR.

I suspect that something may be misconfigured in your router. Does the laptop have a static IP address or are you using DHCP to have the router assign an address each time the laptop connects? Some routers have the ability to always assign the same IP to a particular MAC address. You may find the manual for the router to be quite helpful here. Most routers have a built-in webserver which allows you to change the configuration (and has considerable help information).

You can find a lot of helpful information in the HR20/21 Information Resources (http://www.dbstalk.com/forumdisplay.php?s=&daysprune=60&f=115) forum (check the sticky threads).

Yes, DHCP. The router has an admin Web UI, but I really don't know how to assign an IP to a MAC address. The Netgear Web site was of no help to me, but maybe I don't know what info to look for.

[kram]

All network devices have a MAC address, but the only one Comcast sees is the one of your cable modem. The rest don't matter for what you are doing. It sound like you may have an IP address conflict. If you get IP addresses (network addresses) from DHCP on your router, then there is a chance that your laptop and DirecTV box are trying to use the same IP address. You might try shutting down the router and everything attached to it (wired or wireless). Then reboot the router. After it reboots start everything else one at a time. Hopefully everything gets a new address that doesn't conflict. If that doesn't work you might try disabling DHCP and assigning everything a static IP. It's a pain, but should work well.

Re-booting the router seems to be the only way to restore the laptop connection. How can I assign IP addresses so that the laptop and DOD connection don't share the same address?

[SSpectre]

MAC addresses are tied to the network adapter in each piece of hardware. Your modem has one, your router has one, your laptop has one and your DVR has one. Each MAC is unique.

I'm guessing you have the modem plugged into your router. Then your laptop connects wirelessly and your DVR is plugged into your router?

This is an odd situation, because the router should be handling all connections to your modem and MAC addresses shouldn't have much to do with it. Unless, of course, Comcast doesn't like the fact you're using a router (they actually can check for it). Try this... there should be a "Clone MAC Address" (or something similar) option in your router's web GUI. Enable it and use your laptop's MAC address. The setting may also have a button to "Use Computer's MAC" (again... or something similar) that will grab the MAC address off your laptop for you.

If not... in Windows XP do Start->Run and type cmd. At the prompt, type ipconfig /all. Scroll around and on your wireless card you should see "Physical Address". This is your MAC address.

Doing this will make your router present your laptop's MAC address to the modem. It looks like your laptop is connected directly even though your router is actually connected.

Hope this helps!

[bobnielsen]

Yes, DHCP. The router has an admin Web UI, but I really don't know how to assign an IP to a MAC address. The Netgear Web site was of no help to me, but maybe I don't know what info to look for.

I am also using a Netgear router (WGR614v6). Under "LAN IP Setup" there is an "Address Reservation" section. You can add the desired IP and corrresponding MAC address there. The help section in the right-hand frame of the screen is pretty self-explanatory.

Having said that, simple DHCP SHOULD work without it, but these things aren't always easy to troubleshoot.

[Billzebub]

Just 1 more thing to try. When you setup your DVR for network access put a three digit number in the last part of the IP address portion of your setup (for example: xxx.xxx.x.200). This should force a static IP address for the DVR

[su_A_ve]

Gosh - One answer is worse than the other one...

To the OP, find a neighbor or a relative that is an IT professional (not a suit though). The geek squad know about doing taxes or cooking than computer work.

A) Call Netgear and have them walk you thru a factory reset of the router
B) Plug the cable modem to the WAN port on the router
C) Plug the DVR to one of the LAN ports on the router
D) Check DOD connectivity
E) Call your laptop manufacturer for help on resetting the Network card and wireless setup
F) Assuming wireless, use the Netgear provided instructions on setting up your wireless laptop

Go to square one. Get it working in wired mode. Then move to the next step to get it working in wireless mode. Then to step three to secure the wireless connection.

Good luck...

BTW, for Billzebub, you don't force a static MAC address. The MAC address cannot be changed on the DVR. What you can force is the internal IP address but it's not 'just changing that' You need to also change/set the netmask and gateway. If not, it won't work...

[Billzebub]

Gosh - One answer is worse than the other one...

To the OP, find a neighbor or a relative that is an IT professional (not a suit though). The geek squad know about doing taxes or cooking than computer work.

A) Call Netgear and have them walk you thru a factory reset of the router
B) Plug the cable modem to the WAN port on the router
C) Plug the DVR to one of the LAN ports on the router
D) Check DOD connectivity
E) Call your laptop manufacturer for help on resetting the Network card and wireless setup
F) Assuming wireless, use the Netgear provided instructions on setting up your wireless laptop

Go to square one. Get it working in wired mode. Then move to the next step to get it working in wireless mode. Then to step three to secure the wireless connection.

Good luck...

BTW, for Billzebub, you don't force a static MAC address. The MAC address cannot be changed on the DVR. What you can force is the internal IP address but it's not 'just changing that' You need to also change/set the netmask and gateway. If not, it won't work...

You're right. I meant the IP address. To much coffee and not enough sleep. Thanks for the help.

[kram]

Thanks very much to all who replied to my post. Interesting to note that when I booted my laptop this morning the wireless connection was made immediately! I didn't have to do anything to the router. Perhaps you were correct about Comcast, SSpectre, and they were hosing up my router some way. Maybe they "released their hold" on my router after my call to them yesterday. Sounds far-fetched, but who knows.

I now have my laptop's MAC address, so I'll look into what bobnielsen said about the LAN IP Setup on the router.