LAN network setup Help (xbmc)

[DarkKnight]

Hi everyone,
I have a Htpc (xbmc) and i use files from my laptop or main computer to play. I have read that if all the computers are on the same LAN the files playback is not dependent on the internet bandwidth. I have this setup

https://www.dropbox.com/s/irwgfp84wqbj2a9/Capture.PNG

I have read in some guides that if you want to setup Lan network sharing instead of obtain ip adress automatically option

I used that method and gave the ip adress listed by my router. It worked last night but then stopped after I checked the properties. :S i also got DHCP not enabled error whenever I manually enter the ip.

Can you guys tell me where I'm going wrong ?

Thanks.

 

[vaibhavyagnik]

1. where do you get DHCP not enabled error and doing what triggers the error?
2. are other devices in the network configured for static IP?
3. Open command prompt, type "ipconfig" and tell us the result for all computers on the network. (Assuming windows on all machines)
4. Is every device able to ping all other devices in network? for testing, open command prompt, type ping<space>IP of target machine. You will get IP of target machine from step 3.

Hmm, thinking further, I think since you have DHCP, IPs must have gotten interchanged. When the problem occured, did you start the computers in the same order you started them when the configuration actually worked?

 

[Hassan Khani]

If your router IP address is 192.168.0.1 then you should not be using the same ip for a host (in this case your HTPC).

For example the correct configuration would be (if you are using 192.168.0.0/24 as your subnet)

IP Address: 192.168.0.2
Netmask : 255.255.255.0
Default Gateway: 192.168.0.1

 

[arunsankar]

Hi everyone,
I have a Htpc (xbmc) and i use files from my laptop or main computer to play. I have read that if all the computers are on the same LAN the files playback is not dependent on the internet bandwidth. I have this setup

https://www.dropbox.com/s/irwgfp84wqbj2a9/Capture.PNG

I have read in some guides that if you want to setup Lan network sharing instead of obtain ip adress automatically option

I used that method and gave the ip adress listed by my router. It worked last night but then stopped after I checked the properties. :S i also got DHCP not enabled error whenever I manually enter the ip.

Can you guys tell me where I'm going wrong ?

Thanks.

In the above screenshot, the issue is that there is no "Default gateway" specified. Give your router IP as default gateway and it'll start working. Also, the specified IP 192.168.0.1 will most probably your router IP. So change it to another one, like 192.168.0.2.

Between, the best option is to set it as "Automatically Obtain". Static IP for LAN is only needed when you're networking without a router, like when between two PC's. For router based networking, put it on "Automatically Obtain". Also, for seamless networking, you have to set up all the PC's to use the same workgroup. If all PC's are on Windows 7, go for "Homegroup" networking. Its the best option. Also make sure, your firewalls are not messing your network.

 

[ranjeetrain]

if all the computers are on the same LAN the files playback is not dependent on the internet bandwidth.

That is true.

Technically speaking, ANYTHING, which is in one "broadcast domain", uses the local switching for routing packets. In layman's terms, in a typical home network, all devices connected to one router (which is configured as a DHCP server) will use the local switching and operate on local network speed (100/1000 mpbs for wired connections) regardless of their IP configuration (DHCP enabled or using static IP) and regardless of whether they are connected directly to the router or through a switch.

The picture you posted, https://www.dropbox.com/s/irwgfp84wqbj2a9/Capture.PNG, is not complete. You need to either provide a complete diagram of your home network or explain why do you need two switches and a hub in-between them before your devices can get to your main modem/router.

 

[DarkKnight]

1. where do you get DHCP not enabled error and doing what triggers the error?
2. are other devices in the network configured for static IP?
3. Open command prompt, type "ipconfig" and tell us the result for all computers on the network. (Assuming windows on all machines)
4. Is every device able to ping all other devices in network? for testing, open command prompt, type ping<space>IP of target machine. You will get IP of target machine from step 3.

Hmm, thinking further, I think since you have DHCP, IPs must have gotten interchanged. When the problem occured, did you start the computers in the same order you started them when the configuration actually worked?

1) The DHCP error came on all machines, earlier I didnt give the default gateway and I guess thats why the error came. Currently, I have a setting to "Obtain Ip address automatically" on all machines.
2) No. Should i change it ?
3) Main computer - ipv4 address - 192.168.1.5
Laptop - ipv4 address - 192.168.1.3
Htpc - 192.168.1.2

Default gateway for all 3 is - 192.168.1.1

Do you want the entire result ?

4) Yes,its able to ping.

Since i'm able to ping i believe i'm on the same network but the playback of full bluray files from my computer is a problem. They get stuck..

If your router IP address is 192.168.0.1 then you should not be using the same ip for a host (in this case your HTPC).

For example the correct configuration would be (if you are using 192.168.0.0/24 as your subnet)

IP Address: 192.168.0.2
Netmask : 255.255.255.0
Default Gateway: 192.168.0.1

Thanks for the help. Will try.

 

[DarkKnight]

In the above screenshot, the issue is that there is no "Default gateway" specified. Give your router IP as default gateway and it'll start working. Also, the specified IP 192.168.0.1 will most probably your router IP. So change it to another one, like 192.168.0.2.

Between, the best option is to set it as "Automatically Obtain". Static IP for LAN is only needed when you're networking without a router, like when between two PC's. For router based networking, put it on "Automatically Obtain". Also, for seamless networking, you have to set up all the PC's to use the same workgroup. If all PC's are on Windows 7, go for "Homegroup" networking. Its the best option. Also make sure, your firewalls are not messing your network.

Yeah the DHCP error was due not giving the default gateway. It got resolved by choosing obtain ipadress automatically but playback of files is an issue.

That is true.

Technically speaking, ANYTHING, which is in one "broadcast domain", uses the local switching for routing packets. In layman's terms, in a typical home network, all devices connected to one router (which is configured as a DHCP server) will use the local switching and operate on local network speed (100/1000 mpbs for wired connections) regardless of their IP configuration (DHCP enabled or using static IP) and regardless of whether they are connected directly to the router or through a switch.

The picture you posted, https://www.dropbox.com/s/irwgfp84wqbj2a9/Capture.PNG, is not complete. You need to either provide a complete diagram of your home network or explain why do you need two switches and a hub in-between them before your devices can get to your main modem/router.

I dont know how can i provide a better diagram, i'll try my best to explain my setup :-

router is connected to my Pc - I use a wifi extender to connect my htpc via ethernet (same connection) - laptop is connected via wifi extender.


The htpc had problem with wifi dongle so i used an ethernet option and I thought it'll be better for NAS which i'm planning to build. Is wifi extender the problem ? What could be a better option to set it up ?

Thanks everyone.

 

[arunsankar]

Yeah the DHCP error was due not giving the default gateway. It got resolved by choosing obtain ipadress automatically but playback of files is an issue.

Have you tried ping? If not, try pinging your laptop from HTPC and vice versa and post the results. In a successful network connectivity both should be able to get a mutual ping response.

 

[sam9s]

DarkKnight is the problem resolved, are you still facing any issue.

 

[vaibhavyagnik]

Though i am not clear what you are trying to say, I am interpreting some things. correct me if I am wrong.
1. The screenshot with IP 192.168.0.1 is of HTPC, but you configured that address just for trouble shooting. Your actual IP address series in 192.168.1.XXX
2. Once the configuration is put in DHCP, everybody is able to ping everybody
3. Although the ping is ok, bluray playback is stuck? By stuck you mean jerky or stopping in between of not able to start playback at all?

I would like to clarify the default gateway thing. A default gateway, as the name specifies acts as a gateway for the computer if it is asked to access a network other than its own. So, your IP configuration is
192.168.1.2
subnet 255.255.255.0
Gateway is 192.168.1.1
and you ping for e.g 192.168.0.1, then your computer will ask 192.168.1.1 to show the way to the address. Its a gate to the outside network

Another thing is that if your playback is jerky (stopping in between) than the data transfer rates over the network might not be adequate for a smooth playback. Your whole network will be as fast as the "slowest" link in your Network, which i feel in your case is WIFI. Try playing a SD file, see it plays properly

Its better to configure static IP as, if you have mapped shares as network drive, and chose reconnect at logon, and the order of powering of your devices is not the same everytime, then IP will not be consistent.

e.g if you boot your main PC first the first IP i.e 192.168.1.1 will get assigned and Laptop will be 192.168.1.3. Now next time if you boot your laptop first the laptop will get 1.2 assingned and computer will get 1.3 assigned, so your mapping will fail, or you will have to do it everytime.

 

[Hassan Khani]

Also, reserve the HTPC ip address 192.168.1.2 in your router (assuming router provides DHCP functionality) against MAC address of HTPC ip. This functionality normally exists in all routers. Once you complete this reservation your HTPC will always get 192.168.1.2 ip address irrespective of whether you configure to get ip from DHCP or manually set it to use 192.168.1.2. The router will not allocate 192.168.1.2 for any other device in your network thereafter.

 

[DarkKnight]

DarkKnight is the problem resolved, are you still facing any issue.

Sam,
I'm facing the same issue, i basically want to play files through xbmc but the playback of bluray remuxes gets stuck both when playing from laptop or computer. I'm wondering where i'm going wrong here ? Is it necessary to opt for manually entering ip ?

Though i am not clear what you are trying to say, I am interpreting some things. correct me if I am wrong.
1. The screenshot with IP 192.168.0.1 is of HTPC, but you configured that address just for trouble shooting. Your actual IP address series in 192.168.1.XXX
2. Once the configuration is put in DHCP, everybody is able to ping everybody
3. Although the ping is ok, bluray playback is stuck? By stuck you mean jerky or stopping in between of not able to start playback at all?

I would like to clarify the default gateway thing. A default gateway, as the name specifies acts as a gateway for the computer if it is asked to access a network other than its own. So, your IP configuration is
192.168.1.2
subnet 255.255.255.0
Gateway is 192.168.1.1
and you ping for e.g 192.168.0.1, then your computer will ask 192.168.1.1 to show the way to the address. Its a gate to the outside network

Another thing is that if your playback is jerky (stopping in between) than the data transfer rates over the network might not be adequate for a smooth playback. Your whole network will be as fast as the "slowest" link in your Network, which i feel in your case is WIFI. Try playing a SD file, see it plays properly

Its better to configure static IP as, if you have mapped shares as network drive, and chose reconnect at logon, and the order of powering of your devices is not the same everytime, then IP will not be consistent.

e.g if you boot your main PC first the first IP i.e 192.168.1.1 will get assigned and Laptop will be 192.168.1.3. Now next time if you boot your laptop first the laptop will get 1.2 assingned and computer will get 1.3 assigned, so your mapping will fail, or you will have to do it everytime.

That screenshot is not from htpc, its from a guide that I followed. I wanted to say that I have setting similar to that which is giving me error, sorry for the confusion.

yes my actual ip adress is of the series you mention - 192.168.1.XXX

I have now setup static ip on all 3 machines. Do they have to be in order for proper playback ?

So playback even in lan network depends on bandwidth ? I thought it would play irrespective of our internet connection. Does even NAS depend on our bandwidth to play files ?

Most files playback without any issue , the problem only comes with full bluray (iso) and bluray remuxes. Else all 1080p files also play perfectly fine.

Also, reserve the HTPC ip address 192.168.1.2 in your router (assuming router provides DHCP functionality) against MAC address of HTPC ip. This functionality normally exists in all routers. Once you complete this reservation your HTPC will always get 192.168.1.2 ip address irrespective of whether you configure to get ip from DHCP or manually set it to use 192.168.1.2. The router will not allocate 192.168.1.2 for any other device in your network thereafter.

How can i do this ? There is a device already with this ip..

 

[Thad E Ginathom]

A DHCP server does not and cannot know about any machines on the net that already have static addresses. You should define a range on the router (DHCP Server) fro which it picks DHCP addresses to give out. So, you can, for instance, define 192.168.1.100-to-192.168.1.200 as your DHCP range, and use numbers smaller than 100 for your static IP addresses.

Your router probably has the function to reserve addresses out of that DHCP block for specific machines. The way this is done is by specifying the MAC address against the desired IP for that machine. I do this for my phone and my Squeezebox receiver.

If you have a separate modem and wireless router, make absolutely sure that DHCP is only enabled on one of them. Two DHCP servers on the same LAN can cause nasty things to happen.

So playback even in lan network depends on bandwidth ?

LAN network traffic has nothing to do with the internet connection, so No, it does not. Do remember, though, that unless you have a good connection using the 'n' wireless protocol, wireless is not very fast. There's a huge difference between watching youtube HD on my direct-cable machine compared to my wife's wireless laptop. On mine, it streams fast enough to just watch. On hers it ...doesn't. Let the thing buffer and watch it later. Irritating.

For general network advise, do what I do when I'm baffled by something, or have forgotten something I knew about twenty years ago: google "TCP/IP tutorial." There are several out there, and some are more readable for novices. A few chapters in, and you'll be getting a professional grip on your home network!

 

[sbg]

If you have a separate modem and wireless router, make absolutely sure that DHCP is only enabled on one of them. Two DHCP servers on the same LAN can cause nasty things to happen.

You can work out this, if you consider few points - but mileage will vary on the type of modems and routers. say
---> internet line -->Modem -->Router---?Wireless pc/Wired pc
In this case if we have DHCP enabled only on one of them, say on modem, then a do note to take care these suggetions
1.Router IP should be hardcoded.( do not use 192.168.1.1 or 2 as these may be part of the Modem lan/ usb etc)
2.DHCP can start from subsequent nos (on the modem )
3.Router can also be DMZed.- to avoid issues

or if on the router, then see the ip is not the same as modem and DHCP can start from subsequent nos onthe router.

now, if DHCP is enabled on both the mac address then,
1.Modem ( let this be 192.168.1.1 /2 ) and DHCP broadcast can be in these series. And limiting the Range does not matter for now*.
2.Do not Hardcode the ip address on the Router if the line In from modem is on Internet port ( some of them have specific LAN port) . this will receive dynamic IP from the modem.
This will help to receive the dynamic IP from the modem(* based on point 1 above)
3. during setup , the Router may configure itself on a different subnet (like 10.0.0.1 ) and the router will be doing DHCP on this range.
4. do not boot up modem and Router at the same time while configuring. first setup the modem and the router .
In these cases, all the mac address receiving the IP address will be from the router - something like 10.0.0.1 , 10.0.0.2 ... instead of 192.168.1.3...

some help can be had here to understand some setup cases

 

[haisaikat]

DarkKnight I think your setup's bottleneck may be coming from the fact that if PC and NAS wants to exchange data packets the same is getting routed via the internet router WGR614 and there again comes the slower wireless transport. You can confirm this by turning off the internet router and check if the connection between NAS and HTPC still happens. Your best bet would have been a wireless bridge in thus scenario where the locally connected devices will see the bridge as their gateway and internet acccess packets will only go outside the bridge.

Rest of your problem I believe everyone has answered.

 

[Thad E Ginathom]

sbg... I did that once, setting up two LANs: modem/router-WAN <---> Router-Everything-Else. It is a little satisfying, because it absolutely requires more than a novice networker's knowledge, but it is really not worth it. I simplified to everything on 192.168.1, with the modem at 1, the router at 2, and the modem just connected to one of the router LAN ports.

For starters, there is really no point in going through two NAT devices!

Just ...disable one of those DHCP servers!

(Actually, I'd hard-IP everything. It's just an old habit/prejudice of mine, partly because I like a hosts file to document my net, but now, with phones, tablets, squeezeboxes and so on, it is just not possible to do without DHCP)

Keep It Simple!

 

[arunsankar]

Most files playback without any issue , the problem only comes with full bluray (iso) and bluray remuxes. Else all 1080p files also play perfectly fine.

How can i do this ? There is a device already with this ip..

Stuck playback is simply because of the low speed network. Are you using WiFi N for network? WiFi G won't be able to play bluray iso and I too have issues with WiFi N for bluray iso. If possible, go for wired connectivity through a gigabit ethernet and you're good to go. WiFi is too weak for streaming a bluray iso at its high bit rate.


Sent from my GT-P3100 using Tapatalk HD

 

[vaibhavyagnik]

Since you are facing stutters only Bluray iso, i am pretty sure that the wifi extender is the problem. you should atleast get a WIFI N router with 300 Mbps speed.

 

[sam9s]

Sam,
I'm facing the same issue, i basically want to play files through xbmc but the playback of bluray remuxes gets stuck both when playing from laptop or computer. I'm wondering where i'm going wrong here ? Is it necessary to opt for manually entering ip ?

Are you playing/streaming BD ISO on wifi connection. If yes that might be the problem as even WiFi n practically does not have enough bandwidth to play full BD ISO images ..... Connect your source (from where you are playing the media) to your destination (where media is stored) via CAT 5e LAN cable and it should run fine.

BTW what do you mean by Bluray Remuxes.. ??

 

[grunthos]

I was also about to say the same thing as sam9s. WiFi N network is only good for 1080p rips
Full BD ISOs will never play properly on anything other than LAN cable connections