Router and IP Address

Sfantasia · 19th February 2007

I have a Windows XP system running an Apache server on which I host my web sites. I have a static IP and I have the @a record of both my domains, FANSGIFTS.COM and SALFANTASIA.US pointing to my IP. I am thinking of adding another computer and I want to continue using my Cable internet connection so I was looking at putting a wired router in there to serve both computers. My question is this: Right now when someone goes to my domain they get to my web site which is on my computer. But if I understand the router's operation correctly, my static IP will go into the router and the router will create 2 different sub IP's one for each computer. Will it be possible for me to direct the requests to the computer with the server or will the IP's that the router creates be static so that all I need to do is change the @a record of each of my domains to match it. If it isn't possible to keep the server accessible I will probably have to get another ISP, probably a cheaper DSL, for the second computer so I can keep my web sites up.

Thanks for any help on this.

**TonyT** · 19th February 2007

You can use a router (and you should be using one whether have 1 comp or 253!) and still have your sites up & running. You won't need to chnage any @a records. Once you have the router setup with your roadrunner internet, do this:

1. Set a static ip for your computer running apache. You do this using Windows Networking:
rt click My Network Places > select Properties
rt click Local Area Connection > select Properties
Highlight Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) > Properties button
choose Use the following IP address:
*IP address: if router is 192.168.1.1 then enter 192.168.1.10
Subnet mask: 255.255.255.0
*Default gateway: 192.168.1.1
choose Use the following DNS server addresses:
Preferred: 192.168.1.1
Alternate: not needed

2. **Access router control panel via web browser and setup port forwarding for your server. see www.portforward.com for how to setup your particular router.

* Linksys routers use 192.168.1.x while other brands may use 192.168.0.x

** If have a Linksys router and assign the server a static ip of 192.168.1.10, then you will need to Port Forward port 80 to 192.168.1.10 in the router. You can also setup other forwards for other services like ssh (port 22), ftp (port 21), etc.

From other networked computers you can access your sites by using the fqdn or by http://192.168.1.10

Sfantasia · 19th February 2007

So, I if read this correctly, when I set up the router then I port forward port 80, which is the port which the Apace server is listening to, to the IP of the PC which has the server on it. This does make sense and I guess I am good shape. I have never had a router because I use a pretty good firewall and my Cable modem is pretty good. The router I will be using is a D-Link model DI-604.

Thanks for the response, looks like I'm all set.

**TonyT** · 20th February 2007

You got it!
The dlink router has an ip of 192.168.0.1, so config the server to use an ip of 192.168.0.10. It does not have to be 192.168.0.10, just choose a final number that you can easily remember. Also, read the manual that comes with it. Some routers use a range of addresses exclusively for local static address and a range for dynamic addresses.

For example, my linksys 8 port router uses 192.168.1.2-99 for static and 193.168.1.100-253 for dynamic. My servers are 192.168.1.98 and 192.168.1.99. I did that because I have other computers that have static addresses and often connect client computers w/ static addresses & it is fatal to have 2 comps w/ the same static address

BTW, you won't need to use the "no-brainer" setup cd, just connect it all and access the router w/ your browser by typing the router address in address bar. 192.168.0.1. Username = admin Password = blank (none typed).

1. shutdown comp & unplug cable modem.
2. connect all
3. power ON cable modem.
4. power ON router.
5. boot comp.

The modem MUST be powered on & synched before the router is powered on.

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