Subnet Circumnavigation? For Smartlink.

Lee, N2LC

Lots of info to sort through, much of it older.   Confused. 

I have an ATT Homebase router/hotspot as my only source of internet.
The recommended way of setting it up is to have it on one subnet, send it over to the router on a different subnet, and yee, it works fine.

The Homebase isn't what I'd call feature-packed in the way of adjustability, (ip reservation for the radio comes to mind here).

So I have the Homebase to the router to a switch to a couple of wired access points.  I have good operability with the 6500 anywhere on my LAN. But if I try to sneak the Homebase onto my own 192.168.1.**** (outside of DHCP assigns, along with the APs), I lose connectivity.

What magic spell can I cast to either get the ports forwarded across (waste of time?) or to get the hotspot to reside peacefully within the single subnet?

Free **** for all help.

Mike-VA3MW

Mark G Thomas

Lee, N2LC

Lee, N2LC

Hi Mark,

Does this mean that I should be able to set it up that way - cross subnet - and go somewhere off-site and it should work with the iPad on someone else's wifi?

I had a vision of an ipad only remote station, a laptop remote station with gadgetry, and a home station.  I'd have to do without the laptop station, and that probably isn't a good long term solution. 

Lee Coyle
N2LC

K5CG

I'd build a pfSense firewall out of an HP T620 Plus thin client (~$100). Use a static IP on the Homebase LAN (192.168.0.2) and set that as the DMZ address in the Homebase, and also as the WAN IP of the pfSense firewall. Set the LAN side of pfSense to 192.168.1.0/24. Then 192.168.1.x becomes your new do-it-all LAN. Port forwarding and DHCP reservatins are done in pfSense. Voila!

Lee, N2LC

Mark G Thomas

K5CG

K8GI

Lee, N2LC

K5CG

But I think you were using the WiFi from the Homebase. That's might be the problem. CLose but no cigar. Everything, even your WiFi has to come from an AP connected to the internal network.

Lee, N2LC

K8GI

Lee:  Suggestions ...
1.  If you have a router, connect it to the ethernet jack of the Homebase -- not via wi-fi  (Rick's "rule of thumb":  Never connect anything via wi-fi when ethernet is available.)
2.  If you have a router behind the Homebase turn the Homebase wi-fi OFF.
3.  Ensure you do not have a subnet conflict between the Homebase LAN and router LAN -- e.g., 192.168.1.0/24.
4.  Set a static address for the WAN port of the router which is within the LAN subnet of the Homebase.
5.  To avoid "double NATing" (a prescription for failure), ensure the router is connected to the "DMZ" of the Homebase. 

There is nothing wrong with the Homebase per se.  Actually, it is very good for what it does and what it costs you, in my view.  What you want to do is essentially treat it as a MODEM rather than a router.  It will work.  I have one in use set up as I described.

Rick

Lee, N2LC

I think I’d better email you. I’m taking up too much forumwidth with fundamental networking. I’m close though - I was able to hold still with the ends of a paper clip on the solder pads long enough to get a reset, and got the settings in that you recommended. Still a red light in Smartlink, but everything else good. I’m assuming that I should be able to get a green light from within my home network. Progress is progress. Stand by.

K8GI

GM Lee.  I can (and will be pleased to) help you with the "networking part" of this, particularly vis-a-vis making the AT&T "box" work for you.  But, as I mentioned previously, my efforts to transition to Flex from another manufacturer have been fraught with frustration (and I'm about to throw in the towel on that one).  So, for that part of the equation I'm sure you'll find the advice of the tons of folks here who have been successful in "breaking the code."  ;<)