Topic: Newbie question: DHCP and a linksys router

[troykd]

Hi, I'm installing SME tonight at my office.  This will be our first server on a network that up until now has been peer to peer.  We want to be able to VPN, web server, PDC etc.  

Question is, when I turn off DHCP on the router and let SME takeover, will wireless users with XP Home still be able to access the internet?  I know they can't log into the domain but will they still be able to get a connection?  Our router is a wireless/wired Linksys router and we have a WAP on the second floor.

The desktops are all wired in.  Also what do I need two NIC's for?  Does one plug into the router and one into the switch?

Thanks in advance!
Troy

[wjhobbs]

Troy,

Let me try to address your questions one at a time.

when I turn off DHCP on the router and let SME takeover, will wireless users with XP Home still be able to access the internet? I know they can't log into the domain but will they still be able to get a connection?

My understanding is that if you have PDC enabled, all clients will have to authenticate to the server before getting access to the network. I believe XP Home does not allow that. You would be OK if PDC was disabled.

what do I need two NIC's for?

There are two ways to configure your network. Option 1 is to have the Linksys router attach to the Internet and act as a gateway/firewall. Option 2 is to have the SME Server attach to the Internet and act as gateway/firewall.

If you select Option 1, the SME Server needs to be in 'Server Only' mode behind the Linksys firewall. In this configuration, you only use one NIC -- to attach the server to the LAN.

If you select Option 2, the SME Server needs to be in 'server and gateway' mode. In this configuration, one NIC attaches to your Internet connection (DSL modem or whatever) and the other NIC attaches to the LAN. In this configuration, you have no cable connecting to the WAN port on the Linksys box. It is acting purely as a local router/hotspot.

If you want a publicly accessible web site in Option 1, you will have to forward the appropriate ports on the Linksys box to the SME Server.

Someone else may have better information, but it is my understanding that to get full use of the VPN capability you may want to be set up using Option 2. I believe that various Linksys routers support only a single VPN session at a time for pass-through. (I may be wrong about that.)

Hope this helps.

John

[gizzmo2k1]

Wireless users should still be able to get an IP address from DHCP on the SME server.

You only need two NIC's if you are operating SME in Gateway mode.  If you are using it in Server mode, you only require one NIC.  I would assume that your Linksys will still be the router / firewall for your network, so then you would want to configure SME in server only mode.

[woyzeck]

If you are going to use the sme server for vpn and webhosting, it would probably be wise to install a second nic and use it in server-gateway mode.  For the wireless, you should be able to use your router as an access point.  Here are a couple links on how-tos.  It is quite simple.

http://www.dslwebserver.com/main/fr_index.html?/main/wireless-router-as-access-point.html

http://kbserver.netgear.com/kb_web_files/N101236.asp


modem -> smeserver -> switch -> access point


SME will provide dhcp without authenication (at least 6.0 does).

[troykd]

Hi, Thanks for the reply.

So it sounds like the most powerful solution would be (correct me if I'm wrong) to run a cable from the DSL modem to server NIC 1 and then run another cable from NIC 2 to the router then from the router to the switch..etc.  From what you stated sounds like it doesn't go into the WAN port, just a regular port.  The server will handle DHCP calls and Linksys router would be best run just as a WAP.

The Home XP people could still connect to the Internet (with the WEP key) but not join the Domain.

It that right?

[woyzeck]

It that right?

Yes.

Woyzeck

[troykd]

Super!

One last question... I hope.

Will the wireless Home XP folks be able to use the printers?

Thanks!
Troy

[troykd]

Got it running first try last night.  Haven't set up the PDC yet.  Thanks to everyone who responded.

The wireless Home XP users can still print too.

Troy