Home Networking: Connecting a switch to a router

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I have the following network setup:

All of my ethernet devices (NAS, AppleTV, TV, PS3, etc) are connected to the Gigabit switch. Also connected is the Devolo 200AVmini. The other end of the Devolo 200AVmini is the 200AV Wireless N adaptor, which is in my office as the Brightbox will not reliable reach that far.

The problem is that when I connect over WiFi to the router, I cannot ping or access any devices on the switch.

If I connect to the Devolo network, I CAN access the devices on the switch.

Devices on the switch have full internet access, get DHCP from the router and are all on the same subnet (255.255.255.0 / 192.168.1.x). I can access the router admin (192.168.1.1) when on either wireless network.

The Devolo kit has DHCP services disabled.

I have a WiFi IP Camera connected to the router WiFi. I can only access this if I am connected to the router's WiFi. If I connect to the Devolo wifi (which takes me to the switch network), I cannot access the camera anymore.

Any thoughts on this? It doesn't seem to make sense to me. Is there some kind of ARP problem? Any suggestions on debugging or resolving this?

This might help to clarify. Devices in parallel are connected to the parent device in the list. Eg, Apple TV and NAS are connected to the Switch. The Switch is connected to the Router.

  • Modem
    • Router
      • IP Camera
      • WiFi devices (eg iPhone 5 (when downstairs))
      • Switch
        • Apple TV
        • NAS
        • PS3
        • Devolo AV200mini
          • Devolo AV200 Wireless N
            • Work PC
            • iPhone 5 (when in office)
            • Printer

My "Work PC" can ping and communicate with any device on the Switch, but only when connected to the Devolo WiFi (my Work PC doesn't have ethernet). When on the Router WiFi, all devices on the switch network are not visible (no ping or anything).

BUT on the Router DHCP listing page, they are listed as connected.

Interestingly, when on the Devolo wireless network, I cannot access any devices connected over WiFi on the Router, but I CANT access the router's admin page....

Any advice appreciated.

Nick

Nick

Posted 2013-05-22T10:43:16.783

Reputation: 232

2Some wireless access points isolate clients from the rest of the local network by default. You might want to check settings on the AP. – Flup – 2013-05-22T10:49:28.807

Interesting - so this would be on the EE Router? – Nick – 2013-05-22T10:52:17.287

More likely on the Devolo (that's your AP if I'm reading correctly), but worth reviewing settings everywhere. – Flup – 2013-05-22T10:53:01.670

There are two WiFi AP's... The Brightbox and the Devolo (two WiFi networks). Devolo is connectd to the switch and allows me access to the switch. The switch is connected to the Brightbox, but when on the Brightbox network I cannot get to the switch. But the Brightbox lists the devices on the switch as connected. – Nick – 2013-05-22T11:02:27.280

I wonder why this was downvoted... – Nick – 2013-05-22T11:08:43.147

I'd imagine because you asked a home networking question on serverfault, which is meant for pro questions. – Flup – 2013-05-22T11:12:09.580

Ah right - I saw both of those as options and picked this as the description was "Q&A for professional system and network administrators" whereas the other was "Q&A for computer enthusiasts and power users". This network question felt a little beyond "enthusiast"... Happy for a moderator to move it though? – Nick – 2013-05-22T11:15:44.863

Answers

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Your router's wireless is isolated from the ethernet ports; which is considered to be a good security practice. There should be a setting in that 192.168.1.1 box's admin area for this "feature". Additionally, there can be options for isolating all clients from each other. I have had this exact situation on AT&T Uverse Router/AP.

And draw a network diagram. You'd be amazed what you might find out that you weren't aware of.

Chris K

Posted 2013-05-22T10:43:16.783

Reputation: 923

Thanks ChrisK! I had no idea that were isolated... I'll have to do some network rejigging. :) – Nick – 2014-01-07T11:29:13.740

Now I know what that feature is called, I have found many more people with the same problem. Aparantly, it's forced to be enabled on that router - http://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/1133554-benefits-of-the-various-uk-isps/#entry595487950 :-(

– Nick – 2014-01-07T11:34:16.887