dfraser314 :
I dont understand either. I'm using the Linksys WRT 3000N because I cant get printing otherwise. I want to replace the router with the switch but printing just wont happen. As suggested I switched off DHCP in the Linksys router but it makes no difference. Priniting continues to work inside but cant get at the printer from outside.
I agree the router is doing its job. I only wish I could get the switch to do its job, is where we came in.
Normally you would have an Internet router with all your network devices attached to its switch. Let's say there are only two devices behind that router, a PC and a printer, each connected to an ethernet port on that router's switch. That’s all that’s needed. No additional routers whatsoever. You're telling me this doesn’t work? How can that be? 99.99% of the world is connected this way.
The only issue becomes if you exhaust all those ports and need to add more. You just patch another switch to the router's switch and go on your merry way. I still don't see why this would cause problems.
But then sometimes ppl want to reuse the switch they have from another router rather than buying a standalone switch, which is fine. Again, you connect that second router to the internet router, LAN to LAN, and disable the second router's DHCP server. That's it. It's just a switch now. That doesn't work?!
I'm just getting the impression that some detail is being left out that would make all this clear. Like maybe the printer is actually wireless, and maybe your internet router is wire-only, and you needed this second router to add a wireless access point, etc. Some detail that explains this need for a second router. Let's assume we never understand what's happening there w/ that second router. You can always just buy a $10 standalone/dedicated switch if you need more LAN port on that internet router. That has to work, it always does. Or better yet, just patch the printer to the internet router. Now it doesn’t matter what you do in terms of adding another router. The printer should be accessible to anyone, even PCs behind another router’s WAN port.
Again, you're not explaining why that second router is in the picture. You just insist it must be, but then have problems. Something is missing here in terms of your description. Heck, draw a detailed picture if you must, scan it, and post it.