I have a wifi network (802.11g) which provides internet access and a
LAN 10/100 connected to a WinXP Professional computer. I would like to
connect (via Cat5) a self contained webcam server (DHCP/Static IP
capable) to the LAN so it's accessible via the Internet. A network map
is available here:http://www.pipeserver.com/Network.gif
How can I configure the above using the minimal of hardware/effort?

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Request for Question Clarification by keystroke-ga on 31 Oct 2006 06:37 PST

Hello rehit_it,

Does either the WIFI router or
the cable modem have port forwarding available?

--keystroke-ga

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Clarification of Question by rehit_it-ga on 31 Oct 2006 10:45 PST

Yes, the WIFI router is a Belkin F5D7230-4 and it does support port forwarding.

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Request for Question Clarification by keystroke-ga on 31 Oct 2006 11:48 PST

Hello rehit_it,

I'm posting this as a clarification for now; let me know how this
suits you as far as an answer goes.

Have you tried setting up a port forwarder from your Belkin router to
the IP address of the webcam server? How do you have the LAN behind the
Windows XP system configured? Are you using network sharing or does it
have an IP address that is on the same subnet as the rest of the
network?

The way I would set it up is as follows.

INTERNET -> Internet router ->     WIFI ~~~~~~ Windows XP -> hub ->
WEBCAM

1.1.1.1  -> 1.1.1.2 / 192.168.1.5 -> 192.168.1.4 ~~ 192.168.1.1 -> NO ->
192.168.1.2

Then on the 192.168.1.4 I would add a Port forwarder to 192.168.1.2
which should route to the XP which will forward it to the webcam server.

If you are using internet connection sharing on the Windows XP machine,
it defaults to the 192.168.1.0/24 network and I don't think you can
change it.

If you apply a port forwarder from the WIFI box to the webcam IP this
will work. However, if you have two different subnets you may need a
static route from the WIFI point to the WEBCAM server.

What sort of firewall facilities are provided by your Internet router?
This could ruin the process of what I am trying to get you to do by
blocking all communications. Really you should be hanging the WEBCAM
SERVER off the back of the WIFI point. If you are doing something funky
with Windows XP and have set up static routes already and are on the
same subnet and have no firewall on the cable modem then you should only
need to put a port forwarder on the WIFI box which will forward the
request to the Windows XP machine that will switch it through to the
webcam server and replies will be sent back to the Internet.

I think what you want to do is possible but if you can tell me how your
windows XP is doing the routing / switching (can the webcam server
access the internet with normal browsing) this will help in the network
map and plan. If you can just give a list of IP address at each point of
your network diagram this will help a great deal too.

Let me know how you get on.

--keystroke-ga

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Clarification of Question by rehit_it-ga on 31 Oct 2006 12:28 PST

Hi,
The current IP set up is like this:
Cable Modem [Static]:86.20.???.???
Belkin Router WiFi DHCP Server and Gateway: 192.168.2.1
XP Machine WIFI [DHCP]: 192.168.2.2-100 (DHCP scope)
XP Machine LAN [Static]: 192.168.7.5
Webcam server [Static]: 192.168.7.10

As the Webcam is on a separate subnet I'm unable to add a port forwarder.
I'm not using internet connection sharing.
A static route sounds like it may be on the right track.
I'm not doing anything funky on the XP box and I have no static routes defined.
I can disable the router firewall in order to set up the webcam, once
it's up and running I'll tackle the firewall as a separate measure.
I would love to hang the webcam off the same network as the wileless
router but it's in the wrong location for the task.

Hope thi helps clarify the question.

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Request for Question Clarification by keystroke-ga on 31 Oct 2006 15:46 PST

Hello rehit_it,

The info you have given me is brilliant, and I
will try and get an answer to you tomorrow after I have done some
research using your wifi.

--keystroke-ga

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Clarification of Question by rehit_it-ga on 01 Nov 2006 13:43 PST

Thanks keystroke

Hello rehit_it,

Thank you for your question.

Unfortunately, my hunt for the Belkin wireless device you own has been
unsuccessful; however, I think I have a way of enabling the webcam
server nonetheless.

First, set a static IP address on the Windows XP WIFI interface. Next,
set up a port forward from the Internet to forward onto the Windows XP
WIFI interface. On the Windows XP WIFI interface set a port forward from
there to the webcam server (using Windows Firewall).

Let's assume you are using port 80 for the webcam server-- all you need
to do is forward from port 80 from the Internet to the wifi interface on
your XP machine and from port 80 on the wifi network to port 80 on your
webcam server. The data should then be sent back along the correct path.

If this does not work, try setting a static route to the 192.168.7.0/24
network using the default gateway of 192.168.2.2 (Windows XP wifi
interface once set static) on the Belkin router. You can then set up a
port forwarder on the Belkin device to forward directly to the
192.168.7.0/24 network without having to do two port forwards. This is
assuming you have the connections set up to function this way on your
PC.

Alternatively, you could also set up Network Bridging on your windows XP
machine. To do this, highlight your WIFI connection and your LAN
connection, right-click one of them and choose BRIDGE CONNECTIONS. You
can then use the same network on both cards without confusing anything.
I would advise you start with the first two options though.

If you need any additional clarificaton, let me know and I will be
glad to assist you.

--keystroke-ga