I am very confused by your question and your topology of your network. As James said, you are trying to run two different networks at the same time. The fact that you must use an IP address rather than the name confirms this. And, you may as well just stay with IP rather than specifying v4 each time.

Yes, connecting the main computer via wire will make things faster. But, here is basically best practices and I would take the Christmas holidays off to do it correctly.

I am not bragging, but Time-Warner supplies my modem, my Cisco router costs over $400 and my switch is $900. Not saying you have to spend this much money, but you are a) trying to do wireless -- which is problematic from the get go, b) using a $70 router. This isn't going to give you a lot of speed or security. I am not sure on the specs, but you may get 300Mbs on wireless IF the router can do that and IF all of your wireless cards can do that. Static IPs can work, but are not the best way to go. The best way is to have a DHCP on a server, but you don't have a server.

So, here is how to do it so you have the best speed and reliability and security. Have your ISP supply the modem. Purchase a decent Netgear or Linksys or Cisco (if you can afford it) with a DHCP server. Buy a decent WIRED switch with PoE in case you decide to use VoIP down the road. It should be a managed switch, if possible, and definitely capable of 1Gb speeds. Now, you will get right at Gb speeds constantly and not UP TO 300Mbs with wireless.

Now, make sure EVERY computer has a 1Gb network card or a 1Gb connection on the motherboard. You can keep the wireless adapters, because your new router will not have wireless. Now run Cat6 Ethernet cable through the walls and ceilings to your switch. Now, your whole network is wired. Now you can use the wired portion of your current router, but it needs to be 1Gb. Make sure all of your network adapters are either set to 1Gb Full or Autonegotiate, which is better. Make sure your DHCP server on your router is on. IF you ever change to a domain with a DHCP server, be sure to use that DHCP server and turn off the router's.

Your default gateway doesn't have to be, but usually is 192.168.0.1 if you have chosen 0 to be your subnet. Set the "main" computer to a static IP address of 192.168.0.2. None of your other clients should have static IP addresses (they can, it's just not best practice). Your DHCP server from your router will hand them out their IPs, subnet masks, default gateways and DNS instantly, and you will know that they will all always be correct.

Now, open AC on a client. It will ask for the path. Browse to the IP or the address and select the .xml file. Your network will now be completely reliable. It will be fast and secure. And, you will not have a wireless connection and wired.

Can you just do wired from the "main computer" to the router? Yes? Would I ever recommend it if I were support? No.

This is what you do for a living. There are HIPAA regulations, which are getting more stringent all the time. You don't want to come in daily wondering if a certain computer is going to connect. Or how fast your system will run. And, with wireless, you will have glitches where you will lose connection every so often.

Go to your local technical or community college or university and find the computer science course. Ask the professor if he or she knows of three students who would like to make some easy money and pizza. Buy a huge roll of Cat6 cable and spend a day running cable at $12.00 an hour each. For every drop run two cables. You will need it soon. Maybe even three.

Every printer you purchase that will be used centrally or has special features such as color, get networked. You want to connect those WIRED.

Trust me, you will be much happier.

ISP --> Modem --> Good router --> Good switch --> Main computer and clients connected wirelessly --> Printers


Bert
Pediatrics
Brewer, Maine