Network Mapping software

[MuleShack]

I have the Linksys WRT160N wireless router and it came with linksys easylink advisor software.

This can be installed on each computer on the network and interfaces with the router and shows a picture of all devices on your network. I know it is nothing more than a visual of my networks curren status and what is connected. However It was working until I decided to upgrade my bios on the laptop from V5 to V6 and then it kept giving errors.

Doesn't sound like cisco/Linksis is going to cooperate with a fix so was wondering what kind of other software is out there that is free or reasonably priced that will provide other benefits.

I downloaded one program but it needed PNP or something turned on with the router so it could communicate but I couldn't figure out how to enable that. It has some decent features.

What else is available and what do you like and what are the advantages?

Some of the more expensive stuff seems to claim they can increase the signal from the router and improve security and the whole 9 yards. Just looking for some thing simple that would possibly improve performane but mainly to see what is going on and whos on my network.

[Shack]

Cisco Connect I assume is the same as Easylink Advisor. For some reason once you access your router's advanced settings via a browser this software will not work anymore. It leads you to this:

Not sure if it applies to the Easylink or not. Your best bet is to use the advanced setting or reinstall the software.

Mule what are you trying to do exactly, or should I say accomplish? Windows 7 has network mapping once you install your Linksys as a device:

Just right click anything on a workgroup or homegroup network in devices and it will provide a network map run down.

[MuleShack]

Well now I have upgraded my laptop to W7, but still can only see my computer on the network and occasionaly see my XP machine. With the easy link it showed all of my connections.

I have a sony blue ray wireless, a linksys wireless gaming adapter that is hooked up to my directv DVR, the network HP printer, my XP pro machine upstairs.

On the laptop I cant see the blue ray or the gaming adapter, much less connect to them. That was one of the reasons I upgraded my Vista to W7 thinking it would help with the network issue but I still cant see the laptop from the XP machine upstairs.

I guess it is possible to that I dont have something set up correctly, but each device connects to the interweb but I can only now see my XP machine and printer from the laptop and nothing else. Was looking for something that will assist with the communication between the devices.

Ultimately I would like to be able to view the recorded shows on my directv dvr on the laptop but being I cant see it on the computer...

The blue ray player says it can see my laptop, but it has yet to show a picture from the laptop on the TV.

This is what the easy link looks like.

[upnorth]

Found this on the web about the PNP.

Quote:

on WRT160N router UPnP is enabled by default.

You don't need to enable it.

If you want to check the settings of the router then you will need to open the set up page of the router. Router set up page is a page where you can check/change all the settings of the router.

Is there any computer connected to the router. Check the Ip address of the working computer and open the router set up page.

Once you open the router seyt up page, click on Administration Tab. On that page at the bottom you will see UPnP. It must enabled.

[MuleShack]

my bad, it is not upnp, it is asking for Telnet/ssh access and looking for port 23.

The only reference I could find for this was under the blocking section where I could block telnet access. The error message goes on to say that some routers dont have this type of access. This software is called router commander free edition.

[spearchucker]

my bad, it is not upnp, it is asking for Telnet/ssh access and looking for port 23.

The only reference I could find for this was under the blocking section where I could block telnet access. The error message goes on to say that some routers dont have this type of access. This software is called router commander free edition.

I wouldn't install any of the router software. I have had nothing, but problems with this stuff. There is no software needed to runa router besides a web browser.

It looks like you need to port forward port 23 to the device that it is trying to connect to.

[pureinsanity]

For viewing who's on your network:

Why not just go into your browser and look at the network status? it lists all the computer names, IP and mac address. What more do you need?

are you keeping your network open or just want to check and see if the kids are up late playing on the internet?

You should be able to set time limits where the device gets shut off from the internet directly in your router.

[Shack]

Yep the only time I prefer to use the Linksys software is when you set things up. It does save time verses manually inputting all the info. Also on a rare occasion the Cisco Connect diag. has been useful, but besides that I just use advanced setting via the web browser.

Quote:

Well now I have upgraded my laptop to W7, but still can only see my computer on the network and occasionaly see my XP machine. With the easy link it showed all of my connections.

I have a sony blue ray wireless, a linksys wireless gaming adapter that is hooked up to my directv DVR, the network HP printer, my XP pro machine upstairs.

On the laptop I cant see the blue ray or the gaming adapter, much less connect to them. That was one of the reasons I upgraded my Vista to W7 thinking it would help with the network issue but I still cant see the laptop from the XP machine upstairs.

You still have to manually install them as devices in "Devices & Printer" to be able to see them in "Devices & Printer". You will see them if they are on a network in the Network & Sharing menu, but they are not installed on your Win 7 machine yet.

[spearchucker]

You still have to manually install them as devices in "Devices & Printer" to be able to see them in "Devices & Printer". You will see them if they are on a network in the Network & Sharing menu, but they are not installed on your Win 7 machine yet.

Why would you need to install an external network device? My TV just shows up.

[pureinsanity]

is the XP Home Edition or Professional???

that could play a key factor. I disliked home edition for setting up networks~!

[spearchucker]

I am using Windows 7. For home use either version of XP should be the same. The only difference with Pro is the ability to join a Domain.

[Shack]

I am not sure. I have somethings that even install drivers like my TV, but addition drivers were needed to actual install the device as a "device" within the PC. Even directly hooked up via HDMI and displaying great, it would show up in devices but as a generic (no name) display device. Somethings you do not have to. I have my Linksys as part of my network before I ever actually installed it as a device. It displayed in Network & Sharing, but I had to perform an "install device" and sure enough it showed up in the scanning for devices box. Having it installed as a device got me to see it on the Win 7 network mapping see see it as a network device. Prior it would not show up but it was on the network.

My Xbox installed drivers when just I hooked it up on the network (physically & pulling files from storage & PC) It installed as a generic storage device. Once I installed it threw Device & Printers, it was designated as the Xbox. Same with the iPhone phone being just a mobile device with basic drivers & my Tragus Bluetooth adapter. Also my Brother Printer. I even pulled threw the IP via wireless and was on the network, but did not see it on the map until it was fully installed.

[Shack]

Also I had to install my printer multiple times. I know one was for it being a network printer to get it show up and the other was as a wireless device. Yet, I was printing from them while on the wired or wireless network local or remote.

Might not be Mule's fix for his issue, but is what I have found with certain network devices.

[MuleShack]

Maybe I dont need any more junk on my computer.

I was just used to having it on there.

I did open the devies on the laptop and see the network printer, the router, the direcTV media something or other and the laptop. The upstairs PC is not showing up which has been one of the thorns in my side from day one which I originally attributed to Vista. Tomorrow i'm going to be working on upgrading that machine to windows 7...atleast I should be able to be in the same home group etc.

I tried to access the directv media device and it said i cant access it. Asuming I have to do something with in the receiver to allow access yet. Not sure I have any use for it but...