MVP Client with crossover cable

[roxy99]

This question has been asked before in thread:

http://forums.sagetv.com/forums/showthread.php?t=12653&highlight=mvp+crossover+cable

Rather than bumping, I would like to ask the same question because the solution posted was 'to not bother because would require a 2nd NIC.

However, my PC is already dual lan and a crossover cable or router is physically possible. I already have a router but getting my MVP to the router involves fishing wire thru more walls. Whereas the crossover cable would be a much easier connection.

I have the haupauge media extender and will be installing it as a client. I know that Haupauge's website recommend either solution as essentially the same. I am just wondering if Sage requires the DHCP from the router table or if a crossover connection will also work.

[Humanzee]

If you have a second NIC, plug your mvp in with a cross over cable and try it. If the MVP does need a DHCP server, you might need to enable internet connection sharing on the card connected to your regular network. That should let the MVP ping the router.

[roxy99]

If you have a second NIC, plug your mvp in with a cross over cable and try it. If the MVP does need a DHCP server, you might need to enable internet connection sharing on the card connected to your regular network. That should let the MVP ping the router.

Ok so thats good news. I was concerned that the MVP automatically goes to the gateway (192.168.1.1). But if what you're saying is true, then MVP sends a network request and SageTV is listenting to any network requests on the same workgroup.

[Humanzee]

Ok so thats good news. I was concerned that the MVP automatically goes to the gateway (192.168.1.1). But if what you're saying is true, then MVP sends a network request and SageTV is listenting to any network requests on the same workgroup.
I'd guess, I don't have and MVP, but a cross over cable hooked to you second NIC card with ICS (maybe its called bridge mode, its been a while) enabled "should" appear the same to the MVP as if it were plugged into any regular port on a switch, hub, or router. Of course the computer with two NIC cards has to be turned on all the time.

Regardless, I would think that the gateway would be configurable in the mvp. I.e. you could use a 10.0.0.x ip scheme.

[ke6guj]

If you get the crossover deal working, cool.

But if not, and you don't want to run cables back to the router, you could just pop in a hub/switch between the existing PC and the router. Just use standard cables to connect the PC, MVP, and router to the switch and you should be all set.

[roxy99]

If you get the crossover deal working, cool.

But if not, and you don't want to run cables back to the router, you could just pop in a hub/switch between the existing PC and the router. Just use standard cables to connect the PC, MVP, and router to the switch and you should be all set.

A simple switch is probably the best idea. I am not even sure I have a free port on my router.

[MeInMaui]

roxy99,

I'm in nearly the same boat as you. My HTPC has a wireless network card used to access the rest of my network and an unused ehternet port. I've tried without success to get the MVP working connected to my HTPC ethernet port using a crossover cable. I've bridged the wireless and ethernet connections in WinXP to allow the MVP access to the DHCP server. The funny thing is Windows claims that everything is working, but the MVP never gets the IP address.

So... I'm wondering if you attempted placing the network switch between your computer and the MVP. If so, did it work? It would be helpful to know before I go out and hunt down a switch to try it myself.

Thanks,
Mike

[roxy99]

roxy99,

I'm in nearly the same boat as you. My HTPC has a wireless network card used to access the rest of my network and an unused ehternet port. I've tried without success to get the MVP working connected to my HTPC ethernet port using a crossover cable. I've bridged the wireless and ethernet connections in WinXP to allow the MVP access to the DHCP server. The funny thing is Windows claims that everything is working, but the MVP never gets the IP address.

So... I'm wondering if you attempted placing the network switch between your computer and the MVP. If so, did it work? It would be helpful to know before I go out and hunt down a switch to try it myself.

Thanks,
Mike

Well I actually simply got a switch to avoid problems. So far its working great. The router gives an IP address to the switch and then the switch ensures that everyone is able is able to communicate. I read that the MVP and sage server should be on the same switch. I think either way would probabably work.

For the crossover wire, there should be a way to have SageTV assign an IP address to the MVP connected to it. I am not sure bridging is necessary or advisable because I think the MVP does not support it. The MVP needs to get an IP address and then find a streaming application. For that to work bit Sage Server and the MVP must be aware of the IP assignment. By giving windows XP the assigning of the IP to the MVP, Sage Server is out of the loop. You need to do a search on MVP a fixed IP.

I would have thought the crossover connection would give the most reliable connection since its dedicated between the Server and the MVP. So I would not give up on the crossover. Anyway, to answer your Q. YES the switch works.