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I have a device on my network that is at a static address (192.168.3.1). This device is connected to a network switch, that is also connected to the rest of my network. My problem is that I need to be able to find that device on the network, to run some software/ssh/etc. When I connect my laptop directly into the switch and set a static IP (192.168.3.200), I can find that device and do what I need, but then I don't have internet. Here is a crude drawing of what my problem is. Where Device 1 has the static IP, and Device 2 doesn't. I can find Device 2 on my network.

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Device 1 also has a specific DNS and subnet mask if that matters. Any help would be appreciated.

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  • With a managed switch, you could look at its MAC table and follow the cable. However, consumer-grade hardware and host configurations/issues are explicitly off-topic here, see the help center. You might want to try on Super User.
    – Zac67
    Nov 12, 2022 at 14:29
  • Hey this is for business though thanks for your help.
    – Will
    Nov 12, 2022 at 14:32
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    It sounds like you are trying to mix different networks on the same LAN. Your DHCP is giving devices one network, but you are statically assigning devices to a different network. It takes a router to route packets between networks, and the router needs to know how to reach each network.
    – Ron Maupin
    Nov 12, 2022 at 15:28
  • @Will I'm sorry, but consumer-grade devices (as you seem to use) are just as off topic here. You know that you can configure multiple IP addresses/subnets on a single NIC, don't you?
    – Zac67
    Nov 12, 2022 at 15:57
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    You seem to have a host configuration problem, and that is off-topic here. You could try to ask about that on Server Fault for a business network, but they will want you to follow reasonable business network practices. You will also need to provide network device models and configurations as we need here.
    – Ron Maupin
    Nov 12, 2022 at 20:44

1 Answer 1

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Finally, (I think) I understand your question: you have two networks and want to connect to both of them simultaneously with laptop, correct?

If you add a second (USB) NIC to the laptop you can directly connect to the left-hand network. That is the easiest method.

Another option is to connect both networks with a router. That requires all relevant nodes to be configured to use the router as gateway.

Other options include bridging both networks together, using a NAT router between the networks, and other non-straightforward methods.

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  • I would be careful with connecting 2 different networks. They could be separate for a good reason such as security policy requirements. It can be a serious offense to connect an isolated network to the main network without permission. Otherwise, yeah, simply connecting a second network interface on the laptop to the second network should work fine. Just be sure to ask whoever is in charge before you proceed. Dec 5, 2022 at 2:43
  • @FrameHowitzer Agreed, but the OP talks about my network and networks not under your control are explicitly off topic here.
    – Zac67
    Dec 5, 2022 at 6:17
  • Probably true, I would agree this is not clear enough to be constructive without reworking and is probably off topic. Dec 8, 2022 at 21:31

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