I am having problems our small office network. Networked Computers: - Server with XP Pro SP2 - 4 workstations : 1 Windows XP Pro SP2 2 Windows XP Home SP2 1 Windows 98 The server also has a shared printer.They are on a workgroup, not a domain. The computers were connected to the internet via an (ancient)8 port 10 Base/T switch, with DSL service and 5 static IP addresses assigned by the ISP. Recently, several workstations developed endlessly slow connections. Ping tests showed dropped packets to the server. I got a new switch (Linksys EZX555W V1.0 , a 5 port switch) - no change. I then used new CAT 5 cable , and it seems that 3(!) of the Cat-5 cables had gone 'bad'.(How is that possible?Rats chewing on them?I tested by connecting new cable through the hallways) The original cables are located in the ceilings/walls , and while I could use a 'pull through' with one, replacing the others will probably require an office remodel.Since the office really does not need 5 assigned static IP addresses,since we do not host a website , I called the ISP and requested a change to one address (dynamic DSL)(significantly cheaper - and probably some added security with the LAN behind a router), and figured I can get a wireless router, connect the 2 'orphaned' PC's with wireless and the server and 2 workstations still wired to the ports. The router is a DLink DI-524, but my brillant scheme has not worked. I used DHCP adressing on the router,as I did on my home wireless network,configured all the workstations for DHCP addressing - internet connection works fine, but I get an error massage ('path not found')when the workstations are trying to connect to the database on the server (even though it is visible on the LAN - even the folder).The server is used to access Medisoft Network Professional,and apparently the server needs a 'static IP address' for the workstations to gain access to the database(per the 'knowledge base' on their website). While I do not seem to need the switch anymore, the 2 workstations that are used 98% of the time to access the server still have their CAT5 cables (together with the server). My questions: - can I leave those 3 computers on the switch? (1 workstation with Windows 98,1 with Windows XP Pro) ( since I think the switch provides a 'faster' connection)? - can I then connect 1 LAN port from the router to the switch for Internet connectivity, and printer access for the wireless computers? Do I need the 'uplink' port for that? Does it need to be a 'crossover' or 'straight' cable(or does it matter)? - what then would be the correct configuration on the router for the LAN side, as well as for the workstations/server for their IP addresses? Simply assign manually static addresses for each of the workstations, and disable DHCP on the router? (Seems to be a lot more cumbersome in Windows 98, which may be reason enough to get rid of that one) Obviously, I don't know what I am doing. Any help would be appreciated !

Maybe I can make it easy for you. You can give the Medisoft server a "static" ip address via DHCP. You can set the router to give out a ip address to just one machine by associating the servers mac address with a ip address. Start by going to the server and going to a cmd prompt. Type ipconfig /all and note the physical address [ which is its mac address]. Go into the router and find the page that deals with entering a mac address and ip address. In my netgear it referred to as a Address Reserveration which is under lan ip settings. Look for similar. Enter the mac and ip address and save the settings. Reboot your server and everything should work if the ip was the issue. If you needed to you could do this will all your pcs. Golly gee wilerkers everyone! Learn to Internet Search

Thanks wanderer, Lord Of the Network. Everything working fine with above settings ! ( I did use static assignments for the 3 still wired devices)

Glad to hear you got it working! Golly gee wilerkers everyone! Learn to Internet Search