Networking Woes

[dcyrilc]

It seems as if many rural individuals have issues with computer networking. I was asked in a thread to try to expand on how some areas of networking function. I thought I would start this thread and invite others to participate in helping to broaden the understanding on networking for those who have an interest.

 

[ultrarunner]

I think there may be a lot of us in rural or semi-rural areas without all the big city options...

In my case in Thurston County WA the Comcast option was 12 to 14k...

A lot of that was a county requirement all new service be underground.

The layout of the land also means there is no cell phone coverage... at least with AT&T... lucky to get one bar if I'm standing sideways at the upstairs bedroom window.

I have friends that use the Internet to boost their Verizon signal which only works if you have Internet.

No Internet, Cable Programing and spotty Cell Phone coverage does limit the pool of available renters since I'm working in California right now.

 

[rekees4300]

It seems as if many rural individuals have issues with computer networking. I was asked in a thread to try to expand on how some areas of networking function. I thought I would start this thread and invite others to participate in helping to broaden the understanding on networking for those who have an interest.

As it relates to this thread, what is your definition of "computer networking"?

 

[pmsmechanic]

I'm interested in what is written here.

 

[buckeyefarmer]

Set home router IP to:
11000000.10101000.00000000.00000001
or
C0.A8.00.01

and remember, there are 10 types of people, those that understand binary and those that don't.

 

[MNBobcat]

Set home router IP to:
11000000.10101000.00000000.00000001
or
C0.A8.00.01

and remember, there are 10 types of people, those that understand binary and those that don't.

LOL! That's clever.

 

[Xfaxman]

I love the digital transition. Now the voices in my head just say 0 and 1.

 

[boggen]

WISP (wireless internet service provider) cheaper than stuff below. needs direct line of sight to a nearby tower. if you can get cable / isdn or like go with it (city folks), this is more for folks that don't have option to hook up to cable or like for internet. at a bit more expense per month. it is just as bad as satellite with rain and storms. due to it being line of sight / wireless connection. small box gets placed outside much like a tv dish or internet dish and points at a given tower. but should be 1/4 or smaller than a standard dish in size

satellite most likely next best thing, it seems satellite companies keep getting bought out by someone else. over the years. find something that is cheap, and then if need be call the company up and ask for a better package in a year or 2. most likely free install and cheaper by that time. if you are elder person / no day job, there are some plans out there with unlimited usage between a set time example midnight to 5 am, or say 6am to 9am. lets ya watch some videos, but still get cheaper package.

cell phone broad band, if you can even get cell phone internet connection.
--some cell phones you can hook directly to computer by cable or wireless for internet.
--there are wireless usb like options for cell phones. but again rather costly and no guarantee of a connection, make sure you can return unit and get a refund if it does not work for you. this is more likely an option for buisness on the go... LP tank delivery folks, lawn / land scaping folks, delivery folks. but folks can still use it in there home for internet possibly.

dial up *ughs*

 

[pmsmechanic]

If you live in rural Alberta there is a company that was started around five years ago that wants to cover the whole province with wireless. Just Google "CCI Wireless". They haven't got the whole province covered but are working in it. Data usage is unlimited. Different plans give different download speeds.

 

[dcyrilc]

As it relates to this thread, what is your definition of "computer networking"?

I'm leaving that pretty open. Anything from types of service from ISPs to specifics of what VLANs are and how to use them. Routing protocols, types of firewalls, pros/cons of various equipment or brands, etc.
My idea was to start an open discussion thread where those that know can help others with less knowledge or understanding to learn more about areas of networking they have an interest in.

I'm running an enterprise type domain network here on the farm with 8 VLANs, open guest wireless, secure wireless, a couple of public servers on a DMZ, and a zone based firewall. There was a bit of a learning curve even though my job involves networking.

 

[Daver1963]

The layout of the land also means there is no cell phone coverage... at least with AT&T... lucky to get one bar if I'm standing sideways at the upstairs bedroom window.

I don't know the layout of the land or your house, but you might could install a passive repeater antenna to boost cell signal in the house. Might even get 4G internet if the tower is close enough.

 

[davrow]

Okay, I'm used to cable Internet in the city. An actual cable comes to my home and a modem is attached to that. One cable from that to a router and a couple switches and I'm good to go. Router provides wi-fi for tablets. All the sub-nets I want, all the firewall rules I want, port forwarding, passwords, whatever.

Out in the country there are no wires. So I have a wi-fi 'router' (supplied by the service company) out in the yard that gives me access to the Internet fine. My TV supports wi-fi so we get Netflix and I can reach TBN. They gave me one fixed IP address so my wi-fi camera can be accessed from outside.

But I have no idea how to hook up non-wifi equipment to this network. Like my printers and scanners. How do I make them network accessible now that there is no Ethernet to plug into?

 

[Daver1963]

Okay, I'm used to cable Internet in the city. An actual cable comes to my home and a modem is attached to that. One cable from that to a router and a couple switches and I'm good to go. Router provides wi-fi for tablets. All the sub-nets I want, all the firewall rules I want, port forwarding, passwords, whatever.

Out in the country there are no wires. So I have a wi-fi 'router' (supplied by the service company) out in the yard that gives me access to the Internet fine. My TV supports wi-fi so we get Netflix and I can reach TBN. They gave me one fixed IP address so my wi-fi camera can be accessed from outside.

But I have no idea how to hook up non-wifi equipment to this network. Like my printers and scanners. How do I make them network accessible now that there is no Ethernet to plug into?

Access Denied
This is a possibility. Get it set up and hook a small switch to the Ethernet port.

 

[ultrarunner]

I don't know the layout of the land or your house, but you might could install a passive repeater antenna to boost cell signal in the house. Might even get 4G internet if the tower is close enough.

There's talk of a cell tower going in at the local Fire Station... they already have a communications tower.

I think I would benefit immensely if it does happen.

The moment I turn into the drive it is like turning a switch to off...

Just like turning on the highway is like turning a switch to on and finding a bunch of missed calls.

 

[AaronS]

I'm running an enterprise type domain network here on the farm with 8 VLANs, open guest wireless, secure wireless, a couple of public servers on a DMZ, and a zone based firewall. There was a bit of a learning curve even though my job involves networking.

My first thought is "OMG why?!"

 

[buckeyefarmer]

Davrow,
use a wireless access point. Has ethernet jack for nonwireless. It talks wireless to ur wireless router.

 

[/pine]

You should be able to distinctly name the different gateways (SSID) via the router interface ?

 

[Country Geek]

Davrow,
use a wireless access point. Has ethernet jack for nonwireless. It talks wireless to ur wireless router.

Right. Here's an example of one:

Amazon.com: IOGEAR Universal Ethernet to Wi-Fi N Adapter for Home or Office GWU627 (Black): Electronics

 

[dcyrilc]

My first thought is "OMG why?!"

As much as anything, probably to prove to myself that I could work it out and do it. Partly for security.

Six of my cameras and two VLANs are across town at my father-in-laws house which sits empty as he doesn't want anything done with it.

I have a guest VLAN, home VLAN, server VLAN video VLAN, VOIP VLAN, and the DMZ. Resonable sepperation. I keep a schema for my network as I have 74 different pieces of IP addressable equipment. Some of those were just because they were too awesome to pass up for their price. I have 4 power strips which are fully managed and accessable via IP (Buy Rack PDU, Switched, 1U, 20A, 120V, (8)5-20 - Technical Specifications and Information | APC). I picked them up surplus for $50 each.

 

[Jstpssng]

There's talk of a cell tower going in at the local Fire Station... they already have a communications tower.

I think I would benefit immensely if it does happen.

The moment I turn into the drive it is like turning a switch to off...

Just like turning on the highway is like turning a switch to on and finding a bunch of missed calls.

Here's a lotech way to find out if an external antenna would work... put your cell phone in your pocket, climb onto your roof, see how good your signal is.

I'm so out of my league here I wonder if some of the things I'm reading are martians communicating!