Unable to connect devices to the network.
Unable to connect devices to the network.
My Gear: FiberHome GPON ONU AN5506-04-FA, TP-Link TL-SG1016DE switch, 5 PCs, 1 Smartphone, 1 Raspberry Pi Zero W
My Issue: Only Ethernet-connected devices appear on the network. I can ping their IPs and they reach both modem and switch, but not wireless ones.
My Concern: How can I make wired and wireless devices share files and stay on the same network?
love the artwork. when folks share networking content it seems so complex, i often ask for a clearer picture. thanks a lot. for the windows 10 pc, enable network discovery. i’m not sure about the ras pi. for the phone (presumably android), there should be an app to help share files. you can, following your router’s guide, link a hard drive via the router’s usb to share data too.
Thanks for the reply and you are most welcome. I thought to myself that a visual representation would best help me describe my network setup. For My Desktop Computer, Windows 10 Pro is installed and for the other four (4) desktops, Windows 7 is installed. A Android Smartphone. I have turned on the network discovery for all windows devices and they all see each other. I did install an App for the Android Phone but it still wasn't able to see any wired device on the network. My Android Device can access the Raspberry Pi Zero W using SSH / VNC / RaspiCast. However, any of the five (5) desktop computers were not able to successfully Putty-in to the Raspberry Pi Zero W. I haven't tried adding an HDD into my router and I probably won't. Why you might ask? I just don't feel like doing.
Correct. Windows can detect phone and Pi IP addresses with an IP scanning tool. But I'm unable to ping those IPs, getting Host Unreachable and not being able to access shared folders. In my scenario: 1. I need to reach files and folders across different devices. (Partially done, works only between wired to wired and wireless to wireless. I want this to work both ways.) 2. I need to SSH into my Raspberry Pi Zero W using a wired W10 desktop. 3. I want to manage my RPiZeroW from both phone and desktop for updates and upgrades (phone helps partially). The IPs are all in 192.168.1.XX range, so they should be visible via scanner and reachable by ping.
I might be mistaken, but it seems devices need software to run the ping program on both sides. A smartphone may lack that (I tested it and it didn’t work). Unfortunately, this marks the close of my networking expertise in this topic. I’m unsure how to assist further.
I found this situation interesting. It made me wonder why devices were only allowed to connect through wired or wireless links, not both directly. The issue seemed to be that my modem/router’s LAN and WAN weren’t on the same network, even though I managed to set it up. Once resolved, all my devices could join the same network while staying limited to wired connections for internet access.
I turned off the modem/router’s WiFi so it only accepted wired connections. I also used a DD-WRT router set up as an access point for both wired and wireless setups. Eventually, both types of devices could communicate properly after some trial and error. It took time to figure this out and to find someone who could help with a DD-WRT router.
It seems the problem was likely with your ISP router or modem combo. That makes sense, since they often provide subpar products. I usually recommend purchasing your own if you have the budget.
I had no issues with my old ISP regarding hardware, but I canceled my subscription because of bad service—both internet and support. With my new ISP, everything works smoothly. The setup was disappointing since the LAN and WAN settings didn’t match what I expected. I was able to get admin credentials, but I couldn’t turn off the LAN and WAN isolation. Your advice is appreciated. I’ve thought about buying a used, well-maintained Wi-Fi router instead of new, since I’m on a tight budget. It could be a short-term fix, but if it holds up well, it might become a lasting option.
You're asking about the difference between LAN and WAN. LAN refers to your local network, while WAN connects you to the Internet. By nature they shouldn't be the same, but Wi-Fi can be connected to the LAN, making them appear as one network. Sometimes a second guest LAN or client isolation might prevent WiFi devices from communicating.