Subnet Mask, help, or something

KnightStalker · 23 Jul 2006 at 14:07

Hey guys, just a quick question, or maybe a long one, depending on how you see it

Subnet Masks, do they have an impact on the router working???

My RP614 router has been working 100% for god knows how long, and now it doesnt.....one thing that has changed is the Subnet Mask on the Modem, (i know this when i directly connect the modem to PC) it was the normal 255.255.255.0 but now the last .255 is now .254 and the router will not work, modem and router do not communicate, ive done the usual reboot of them all and messed around with the normal settings...

I need help please.

Ricochet J · 23 Jul 2006 at 14:30

Subnet mask is very important as it tells the router/modem where to send traffic. The subnet mask has to fit in with the subnet address because otherwise the number of "borrowed" bits will not fit and the network part of the address will go bonkers.
I guess, in a nutshell, the subnet mask tells the computer, which part of the address is a network portion, and which part is a host.

Post your IP and subnet mask and required amount of subnets and i'll sort it out for you.

KnightStalker · 23 Jul 2006 at 14:33

i know how to get the ip and subnet, but what the heck is the amount of subnets?

Imy · 23 Jul 2006 at 14:45

Can you just clarify if the subnet mask is now 255.255.255.254 or 255.255.254.0?

KnightStalker · 23 Jul 2006 at 14:48

255.255.254.0...sorry just reread my post, i dont think i made it clear enough, sorry my bad.

but for the last 3 years, its been 255.0 at the end, working with the router fine. now it doesnt. seems strange

Imy · 23 Jul 2006 at 14:53

The following is a rough guess as to whats happening:

Since the subnet mask is set on your modem, this means its set by your ISP. By going from a subnet mask of 255.255.255.0 to 255.255.254.0 all they've done is restructure their subnets to have 510 usable hosts instead of 254. I'm not sure how this could cause a problem.

KnightStalker · 23 Jul 2006 at 14:56

oh screwy, i havent a clue whats gone off then, since that changed the router no longer wants to work, so its something to do with that, as its the only thing thats changed.

Imy · 23 Jul 2006 at 14:57

You're not doing something silly like connecting the modem to your pc directly and to your router at the same time are you?

KnightStalker · 23 Jul 2006 at 15:00

nope, havent changed the cables in 3 years, they are still the same, so thats not it.

Imy · 23 Jul 2006 at 15:03

What else have you tried to fix the problem?

KnightStalker · 23 Jul 2006 at 15:07

basically, ive rebooted the router and modem, at different intervals, modem first, router second, and then vica versa, ive tried setting manual IP's to no effect, ive Rang my ISP but they dont deal with routers (blueyonder), im at a real loss here, and from what i can see, its not something ive done, as the day it happened i wasnt even in.

Imy · 23 Jul 2006 at 15:10

On your router's home page it says "connects up to 253 network users". That indicates a subnet mask of 255.255.255.0. Not sure if that's important. I'll have quick look at your router's manual. In the meantime you might want to try a firmware upgrade on your router.

KnightStalker · 23 Jul 2006 at 15:14

thanks, i thought it was something like that, i have the latest firmware, as Netgear havent released one for over a year, so god knows what im supposed to do now.

Imy · 23 Jul 2006 at 15:18

I could be talking b**** you know - I didn't pay that much attention at uni

Best to wait for replies from other users too.

KnightStalker · 23 Jul 2006 at 15:20

ok will do Imy, so anyone else want to help me out?

Imy · 23 Jul 2006 at 15:30

Does your router pick up an IP address from the modem?

KnightStalker · 23 Jul 2006 at 15:36

thats the thing, when everything is connected correctly, i cant get to the router config page or modem page, the 2 seem to hate each other right at this moment, so im all confused, and im about ready to throw everything out the house and forget about all this internet stuff.

Imy · 23 Jul 2006 at 15:41

So when you try to go to http://192.168.0.1 you get nothing?

KnightStalker · 23 Jul 2006 at 15:43

that's correct

Imy · 23 Jul 2006 at 15:47

Ok well thats a big problem!

Try pushing the master reset switch on your router then try access that address again.