Can anyone steer me to detailed networking instructions? I admit I am a novice. I've read alot about networking, and I set up a 3 computer network at my house with a router with no issue, but I'm trying to take my knowledge to a slightly larger scale. I am having issues with a peer-to-peer network I have set up for my brother. He has 5 PC's running Windows XP; an HP all-in-one running through a Keyspan USB server; and an Oki 5150n printer (has an internal print server) connected via ethernet. He has Verizon business DSL with a dynamic IP address running through a Westell modem. I put a Linksys BEFSX41 router in to share the DSL to all PC's. I also put in a Linksys EZXS88W switch. I have two PC's, the switch, and the Keyspan server connected to the router. I have the other 3 PC's and the oki printer connected to the switch. I plan to add a wireless adapter and a wireless tablet PC to the network. I had everything up and running, but then the PC's connected to the switch were crashing. I uninstalled everything and set up the network again. It worked for two days before he lost internet connection (and connection to the rest of the network). Powering down the modem and and router got it back. He lost connection again, but powering down did not bring it back up this time. I think I'm missing some settings in setting it up, and if I get detailed instructions I get get it up and stable. Does anyone have advice? Thanks.

One thing to try would be to ensure the router has the most current firmware. Aside from that, you should also ensure that the router, switch and modem are getting adequate ventilation. I used to ahve a switch that sat on top of my router. The router went bad so I replaced it. After 2 days the new router went bad. I then placed the switch beside the new router instead of on top and have had no problems since. If neither of those work, then I would suspect a faulty router, switch or modem (in that order). If everything was working one day, then I doubt that the problems were a result of any settings you did or did not make. Michael J

Is the OKi printer on the switch still accessable to the PC's plugged into the router?? Can you print to it from them?? That would tell you if it is a switch problem maybe. Are the PC's getting DHCP from the router?? Rule #1 Good computers don't go down. Rule #2 There is no such thing as a good computer.

I worked on the network yesterday. I verified that I set up the router correctly with Verizon. I also verified that I installed the Okidata printer correctly. I had the network up and running again, with all PC's getting internet connection. And I tested printing to the Oki printer from 3 of the 5 PC's. Everything was working fine. I got a call today that they have no internet connection. I have the Windows XP "peer to peer network" option installed. Should I since I have the router? Is this causing a conflict? I have the office manager verifying with Verizon that there is not a problem on the DSL line. Maybe it is a bad router...Thanks.