Help with splitting Ethernet by Wifi extender >> Static/Dynamic IP addresses

[Cassady]

Hello all,

My lack of knowledge in all things network related has hit home with a bang!
I would appreciate some suggestions, since I'm hoping this is a easy fix.

At work, I have a Dell workstation, and I take my laptop along as well.
Wifi in my specific office area is unfortunately very flakey.
BUT - we have ethernet, which is fast, thankfully.

To solve this, I bought a little TPLink ethernet switch.
Ethernet mainline IN >> 2x ethernet cables out, into Desktop and Laptop.
Always worked fine.
Can use both Laptop and Desktop simultaneously - they don't interfere with one another.

I'm using my tablet increasingly at work.
It yearns for wifi.
So I bought a little Emtec Power Connect device, that allows you to plug the ethernet cable into the back, and then access it to connect to the internet that way.

I've now hit a snag.
After setting it up today, and accessing it through its web browser, I tried to fine-tune the Wired Access settings, initially leaving it on its (default) Dynamic IP setting, but without any luck... It was doing nothing, and I couldn't connect to the internet.

So I tried the Static IP option.

I opened up the network settings on my laptop, and put the same IP Address, Subnet Mask, Gateway and Primary/Secondary DNS addresses (as found on my laptop) into the Emtec's Internet settings...
And.... voilà... thought I was being real clever, since success >> could connect to the Internet...
Was real proud of myself, until I jumped back onto the laptop...
To be [yes...] met with the message that a different device was now using my IP address on the Network - and that I either had to log-on later, or change the IP address on the other device...

Ja. So. Not so clever.

I obviously(?) know now that a Static IP address is just that - by using that option, I'm basically replacing the static IP address of my laptop, with whatever device I'm now using to connect via the Emtec device, correct?
So that will work - but it's far from ideal, since I would want to be able to connect to the internet freely from both, for emails/browsing/work-in-general...

If the Dynamic IP option doesn't allow me to enter anything, but is not working otherwise, what options do I have?
Any suggestions?
Would really appreciate some help, since it would be fantastic if I can get this to work, to get around my wifi-deadzone-problem...

 

[stricken]

since your laptop is plugged into ethernet, you should be able to turn its wireless interface into an access point (internet connection sharing) without the need for the emtec.

 

[Cassady]

since your laptop is plugged into ethernet, you should be able to turn its wireless interface into an access point (internet connection sharing) without the need for the emtec.

Ja. But it's a Mac, so no.

 

[Geoff.D]

Maybe you start by reading the manual that came with the device?

 

[sajunky]

I opened up the network settings on my laptop, and put the same IP Address, Subnet Mask, Gateway and Primary/Secondary DNS addresses (as found on my laptop) into the Emtec's Internet settings...
And.... voilà... thought I was being real clever, since success >> could connect to the Internet...
Was real proud of myself, until I jumped back onto the laptop...
To be [yes...] met with the message that a different device was now using my IP address on the Network - and that I either had to log-on later, or change the IP address on the other device...

From which device this message came from?
Right, irrelevant, as it is wrong anyway. Any device on the LAN is identified by IP address and MAC address. If you assign the same IP address to a different device you can create havoc even you disconnected the old one.

As you said one device is accessing Internet properly, assign a different IP on a second device and problem solved. Both devices must have IP address outside of DHCP server range on the router to avoid conflicts.

If by example router's IP is 192.168.1.1, DHCP range is 192.168.1.100 to 200, netmask 255.255.255.0, then assign:
192.168.1.10 to one device and
192.168.1.11 to second device

 

[Cassady]

...

As you said one device is accessing Internet properly, assign a different IP on a second device and problem solved. Both devices must have IP address outside of DHCP server range on the router to avoid conflicts.

If by example router's IP is 192.168.1.1, DHCP range is 192.168.1.100 to 200, netmask 255.255.255.0, then assign:
192.168.1.10 to one device and
192.168.1.11 to second device

Thanks a bunch. I suspected it had something to do with the address allocation, but didn't know enough to Google it, or to ask the right questions. I'll play around as suggested, and see what I can figure out. Good to know I'm more or less barking up the right tree.

 

[gregmcc]

I'd be wary about plugging foreign devices, especially non approved switches into the corporate network. You might find the network/security admin knocking on your door.

 

[Cassady]

I'd be wary about plugging foreign devices, especially non approved switches into the corporate network. You might find the network/security admin knocking on your door.

Hmmm. Never considered that.

Could a switch cause problems, if it's simply allowing two/three devices run on a Ethernet point that in any event requires me to login to access? Sincere question, btw. Wondering if I shouldn't give IT a tinkle to check?

 

[RoganDawes]

I'd be wary about plugging foreign devices, especially non approved switches into the corporate network. You might find the network/security admin knocking on your door.

This. Make sure you are approved for what you are trying to do, otherwise you may end up on the receiving end of a disciplinary process.

That said, technically, the Mac is quite capable of sharing its ethernet connection via wifi.

System Preferences -> Sharing -> Internet Sharing -> Share your connection from "Ethernet" to computers using "Wifi" -> Enable

Done.

 

[gregmcc]

Hmmm. Never considered that.

Could a switch cause problems, if it's simply allowing two/three devices run on a Ethernet point that in any event requires me to login to access? Sincere question, btw. Wondering if I shouldn't give IT a tinkle to check?

Most corporates do not allow you to just plug in anything you like. I've seen some dodgy devices taking down the network. Just fiddling around with static IP addresses and setting your IP to the DG will take out a vlan.

Would def clear it with them first.

 

[Cassady]

This. Make sure you are approved for what you are trying to do, otherwise you may end up on the receiving end of a disciplinary process.

That said, technically, the Mac is quite capable of sharing its ethernet connection via wifi.

System Preferences -> Sharing -> Internet Sharing -> Share your connection from "Ethernet" to computers using "Wifi" -> Enable

Done.

Good grief. Live and learn. It hadn't occurred to me to even check if that was possible - last time I checked it wasn't, but now realize that when I looked, ethernet wasn't in my equation. P.I.C.N.I.C.

Will have a look tomorrow. Thanks for the head's-up.

If IT comes knocking, will gladly show them what I'm doing - since the only reason I've been forced down this route, is that the wifi has been steadily degrading over the past few years, despite repeated complaints. They're apparently upgrading at the moment, so that will hopefully get things back to where they were a few years back, in which case both laptop and tablet can simply run directly off wifi.

 

[Cassady]

So, just to close this loop.

As suggested by @RoganDawes, I set up Wifi sharing in a few moments this morning, and works a charm. Many thanks.

One downside, was that I couldn't use Airdrop when Wifi was being shared - which is a pity, since it's quick and easy to drop large files between devices, and uses no data (as opposed to sending it via Dropbox/iCloud/Goodreader web interface).

The solution turned out to be the little Emtec. Since it can also function as a simple wifi 'station' - on the odd occasion I want to move major files to and from, I simply connect both devices to the Emtec, and can then Airdrop away, since they see each other on the 'same' wifi connection. Joy.

Thanks for the assistance!