Tricky Networking Problem

[jerbear0215]

Here's the Setup:

Linux Machine - Fedora Core 2
Windows XP Pro Machine A, B, C

Linux Machine is set up with crossover cable to XP Machine A. XP Machine A also has a wireless NIC sharing internet to the Linux box. The wireless connects to our router/DSL modem. XP machine B and C connect to the modem through cat 5 cables. The 3 windows machines are on the same network.

Now, the linux machine has internet access through the sharing. The wired NIC on the XP machine is set to 192.168.0.1 while the nic on the linux is 192.168.0.2. Since I'm sharing the wireless, its set to an IP and a static IP. Static IP matches the wired NIC.

The linux machine has access to XP Machine A shared folders. The XP machine A has access to Everyones folders (including some SAMBA folders I was playing with. Require a password/username, but could access otherwise). The XP machines B and C only can see each other now and can't see A or the Linux machine.

What I want to do is make it so that eveyrone can see everyone. I can't get that to work. I would appreciate any and all help please. Thanks.

If you need more clarification, I can talk on AIM or MSN if you're willing to help out now or when I'm on. ALso I can repost here too if needed.

[Jumpy]

Could you clarify why the linux box is connected to Machine A twice? If I read you write, the linux box is connected via wireless and by a crossover cable. I'm not really sure why you want to do both, but it sounds like you have some routing problems with scenario. Post an "ip addr" and a route -n from the linux box.

What could be happening is B and C are sending to your linux box and Windows A, but because of the routing, those guys are sending the traffic back through different interfaces then it came in.

[affanjavid]

Can you send me network diagram? or talk on my IM

[jerbear0215]

its not connected twice.

Linux Connected to Machine A via crossover.
Machine A connected to linternet via wireless.

Lemme try and draw a diagram.....

http://www.geocities.com/jerbear0215/network.bmp
Its not the best graphic, but its pretty much how it works. I would connect the linux to the router/modem directly, except its downstairs and its in everyone's way...and I want to avoid that if physically possible. To configure it, I have it there now, but I'd like to have it in my room if possible.

[funchords]

Here's the Setup:

Linux Machine - Fedora Core 2
Windows XP Pro Machine A, B, C

Linux Machine is set up with crossover cable to XP Machine A. XP Machine A also has a wireless NIC sharing internet to the Linux box. The wireless connects to our router/DSL modem. XP machine B and C connect to the modem through cat 5 cables. The 3 windows machines are on the same network.

Now, the linux machine has internet access through the sharing. The wired NIC on the XP machine is set to 192.168.0.1 while the nic on the linux is 192.168.0.2. Since I'm sharing the wireless, its set to an IP and a static IP. Static IP matches the wired NIC.

The linux machine has access to XP Machine A shared folders. The XP machine A has access to Everyones folders (including some SAMBA folders I was playing with. Require a password/username, but could access otherwise). The XP machines B and C only can see each other now and can't see A or the Linux machine.

What I want to do is make it so that eveyrone can see everyone. I can't get that to work. I would appreciate any and all help please. Thanks.

Your XP-A machine is running Windows' Internet Connection Sharing, which turns it into a NAT router and puts your Linux box on a different subnet than your XP-B and XP-C machines.

Suggestion:

First -- simply things by getting rid of one of the Linux to XP-A connections. The way that XP routes, it was only using one of them anyway. Plus, from your description, you had them both on the same IP (which I still can't figure out how you managed that feat)!

Second --
1. On the XP-A box, go to Network Connections
2. Disable Internet Connection Sharing by double-clicking the icon and unselecting the checkbox on the 3rd tab
3. Click OK on the dialog box and wait for Windows to do its thing.
4. Hold down the Ctrl key, and click once on your connection to the modem and your connection to the linux box, so that both icons are "selected."
5. Right click on one of the icon, and select Bridge Connections
6. Wait for Windows to do its thing. A new "network bridge" icon will appear and the others will shuffle to join it.
7. If you have XP-B and XP-C working on static addresses, double click the Bridge icon on XP-A and give it a static address too. Otherwise, it will use DHCP (default).
8. Shut down the Windows box.
9. On the Linux box, run system-config-networks. If you have XP-B and XP-C working on static addresses, configure the Linux box to a static address in the same subnet as B & C. If B & C use DHCP, then configure the Linux box for DHCP.
10. Shut down the Linux box.
11. Start the Windows box and wait for it to boot up.
12. Start the Linux box.

The Linux box will no longer be behind the NAT router provided by XP-A.

It is now as connected as XP-B and XP-C. The XP-A machine is acting as a bridge, just sending the network packets back and forth between the Linux box and the rest of the network.

[Iron_Mike]

Let's see XP-A connects to you DSL/router by wireless right??? The linux box in turn is connected to XP-A box with cat 5 crossover. How far away is the linux box from the DSL/Router and do you have a open NIC on the router. The easiest way would be leave XP-B and XP-C the way they are, disconnect the linux box from XP-A and turn off the internet sharing stuff on XP-A. Run a cat 5 from linux box straight to the DSL/router, Set all the boxes up for static IP'S and same subnet, set the XP boxes to the same workgroup and file and print sharing. Turn off the DHCP for you lan side in the router and use static ips, that way they won't change on you if you happen to power down the boxes. Also woul will all be on the same subnet

[jerbear0215]

Thank you! As soon as i get free time, I'll give that a shot ^.^ X-mas coming I don't have the time to devote just yet but I'll make sure to test it and see what I get