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    windows 10 computers cant "see" each other on network

    Scheduled Pinned Locked Moved General pfSense Questions
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    • M
      mattlach @calbha
      last edited by

      @calbha

      Hmm. Every consumer switch is designed differently, but most that I have used allow you to operate them as a Wireless AP if you just plug them in using the LAN ports on the inside of your network.

      All you have to do then is set up the SSID and password on the Netgear router, and it should just act as a bridge between its LAN ports and WiFi...

      If that doesn't work out of the box, if it is a supported model you could flash DD-WRT to it and see if it works with an alternative ROM.

      If you'd rather get rid of it all together, the other parts you need don't HAVE to be expensive. Sure, if you want a many-port managed enterprise switch, it's going to cost some, but there are consumer options that work pretty well.

      Apart from my big main enterprise switch, I have several small Netgear switches around my house that are both cheap and work very well.

      The Netgear GS105 (5 port) and GS108 (8 port)are often fairly inexpensive, and mine have been reliable.

      For Wifi, I absolutely LOVE my Ubiquiti Unifi access points. Especially if you live somewhere with congested airwaves, it's amazing how an enterprise product can cut through the noise so much better than consumer routers.

      A Unifi AP-AC-Lite is only just over $80 on Amazon with prime. I have the AC-LR (long range) models which cost less than $20 more, and if you really need something beefy, look at the pro-models.

      If you have range problems, you can also add several to the same network, one on each side of your house - for instance. Just have to run the network cable :p

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        calbha @mattlach
        last edited by

        @mattlach well like I said the Netgear router is working fine as a basic switch for the wired computers but can't get internet for wifi. Pfsense works with WiFi but not networking. Both them together is working enough to keep me happy but I'm back to my problems with Plex not establishing a direct connection but that could be for a multitude of other reasons. I was considering an actual switch but that doesn't usually come with wifi and I don't wanna purchase yet another device for this setup. If I can figure out setting up a VPN client properly (I'm having issues with that too) I'll have 2 out of 3 things covered for why I bought this router and be pretty happy.

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          mattlach @calbha
          last edited by

          @calbha said in windows 10 computers cant "see" each other on network:

          @mattlach well like I said the Netgear router is working fine as a basic switch for the wired computers but can't get internet for wifi. Pfsense works with WiFi but not networking. Both them together is working enough to keep me happy but I'm back to my problems with Plex not establishing a direct connection but that could be for a multitude of other reasons. I was considering an actual switch but that doesn't usually come with wifi and I don't wanna purchase yet another device for this setup. If I can figure out setting up a VPN client properly (I'm having issues with that too) I'll have 2 out of 3 things covered for why I bought this router and be pretty happy.

          Yeah, but as I said, you might be able to try DD-WRT. It is typically way more flexible than stock ROM's on Netgear routers and may allow you to get the Wifi to work.

          As for why Plex isnt working, I have no idea. I've never used Plex. I do all my content watching on a big screen Home Theater system, so I just share my media folder on my NAS on the LAN. No need for transcoding!

          I can understand the "damn I need to buy too many things" overload. I was there at one point years ago as well. You can get both a nice little switch and the Unifi-AP-AC Lite for about $100, and the Unifi AP mounts nicely on the wall. Looks quite professional, just like at the office :)

          Once you do you'll never go back :p (but no pressure :p )

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            calbha @mattlach
            last edited by calbha

            @mattlach I've seen a lot of people talk about Nas but I have no idea what it is or how it works or how to set it up. But I see it all the time in the Plex forums. Would you mind explaining it beyond "network attached storage" I mean I guess that's what I'm trying to do is setup media storage servers and network them. Btw it transcodes because there's no direct connection to the Plex server. If I could get a direct connection I could use h256 and I'm running tomato over the Netgear because ddwrt doesn't support open VPN for this model of router but tomato does. Which finally got tomato and ddwrt somewhat recently many years after I bought the stupid thing.

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