This should be simple, but for some reason I can't get it working.
My present setup: shaw cable modem ----> linux box / iptables ----> airport extreme ----> a happy group of Mac & PCs, some wired, some wireless
Problem: My broker supplies me with software for streaming quotes that must run on XP and not be behind a firewall.
Solution (I thought): Use my old Allied Telesyn CentreCOM MR815T hub/repeater, and take advantage of the fact that Shaw will issue 2 IPs. shaw cable modem ----> hub port 1 |---------> linux box / iptables ----> etc, as before port 2 |---------> promiscuous XP box
If I connect either the network (my present system) or the XP box directly to the cable modem, each seems to work. If I connect either of these through the hub, it no longer works. A diode will light up showing the connection of a PC to a particular port, but will not light up when I plug in the ethernet cable from the cable modem. The hub will indicate activity when an attempt is made to access the internet, but no activity is registered on the cable modem.
I have used different ports on the hub, 3 different ethernet cables to connect the modem to the hub, and at times I have rebooted the modem or the PC attached to the hub (various permutations of these actions).
The hub has 8 ports - the first 7 are labelled with an "X" which I believe means MDI-X (crossover) configuration to plug a PC into. Port 8 has a switch to select MDI or MDI-X. What should I plug the modem into? (I have tried both).