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Network One is 192.168.2.xxx Network Two is 192.168.1.xxx

Computer One is 192.168.2.xxx and assigned IP automatically. IP 192.168.2.157 GW 192.168.2.1 DHCP 192.168.2.1 DNS 192.168.2.1 Windows 7 Home Premium

Computer Two is 192.168.1.220 and static IP Windows XP Professional

How can I see Computer Two from Computer One?

P.S. I cannot change IP addresses as Network Two is running on a network of 5 point of sale computers.

Computer One is essentially a backoffice PC and needs to see Computer One which is the POS Server.

So again, how do I do it?

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    Are the computers on the same physical network?
    – Bacon Bits
    Dec 28, 2012 at 2:51
  • It seems like it would be easier to put one of the computers on both networks.
    – Daniel R Hicks
    Dec 28, 2012 at 3:25
  • @Bacon Yes, they are. Infact on the same switch as well.
    – Freckles
    Dec 28, 2012 at 3:41
  • @DanielRHicks Yes, but how? I heard that we can have two IP addresses on one NIC? Also, I cannot put another NIC on Computer One.
    – Freckles
    Dec 28, 2012 at 3:43
  • What precisely do you mean by "see them both"? Is there a router connecting the two networks?
    – David Schwartz
    Dec 28, 2012 at 3:50

2 Answers 2

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There's a couple ways to do this, but the easiest is to assign two network addresses to the interface on Computer One. Since you're on the same physical network, you can do this pretty easily. This is called multi-homing. The only drawback to this is that you can't use DHCP. You'll have to manually assign both addresses on the computer.

Before you begin, you should know the IP address and subnet mask that Computer One will have on the normal network (192.168.2.xxx), the DNS server(s) that that network uses, and the default gateway for that network. You should also know what IP address you want Computer One to use on the POS network (192.168.1.xxx), and the DNS server that network uses (if any). You do not necessarily need a default gateway for this network.

Computer One is a Windows 7 system, so go Start → Control Panel → View network status and tasks → Change adapter settings (listed on the left). Right-click on the active network adapter on Computer One, and choose Properties. The properties dialog box should appear.

Select Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) and click Properties. Another properties dialog box should appear. On the General tab, change the setting to Use the following IP address then click the Advanced button. The Advanced TCP/IP settings window will open.

On the IP Settings tab, under IP addresses, click Add, and add the IP address and subnet for the normal (192.168.2.xxx) network. Repeat, and add the IP address and subnet for the POS network. Under Default gateways click Add and add the default gateway for the 192.168.2.xxx network. You can also add the default gateway for the POS network, but this should not be necessary. I wouldn't add the POS gateway unless you know you need it for some reason.

Now click on the DNS tab. Click the Add button, and add the DNS server(s) for the normal network and the POS network.

Click OK to close all the open dialog boxes, and you should now be able to ping the POS computer's IP. You should be able to use the POS computer's hostname, but you will probably have more success with the IP address.

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  • Thanks Bacon. I was doing part of what you suggested and failing to see the Computer Two. I was missing the DNS when adding the second IP. Also, I kept trying to access it using the hostname and simply forgot that I could also use the IP. Noob, I am. It seems to work for now. I'll test it thoroughly on my development environment before applying the settings on production. I'll get back to you later.
    – Freckles
    Dec 28, 2012 at 4:46
  • Cool beans. It's always easy to skip things that are simple. If you continue to have problems the next thing I'd do is add a second physical network interface to Computer One and put that on the POS network. You may have a situation where you can't have the POS network on the same physical network as the rest of the system, for example. That configuration would solve that situation without setting up a router between the two networks (which also may not be what you'd want).
    – Bacon Bits
    Dec 28, 2012 at 4:54
  • Yea, the thing is I cannot add another NIC on Computer One right now. I would do it as an last resort though whenever I am able to. Hence my research on a solution using existing systems in place.
    – Freckles
    Dec 28, 2012 at 5:10
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Its not clear as to whether or not you have two routers in your environment. If so, you'll need to configure routes in between both networks.

It sounds like you have this computer on the same network switch as the others but it is simply obtaining a DHCP address out of the range of the other statically assigned workstations. (POS's)

Just configure a static address on computer one matching the network settings of the other network (using a unique address of course.)

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  • The switch is connected to a modem router that assigns the IP addresses on network one and this network has internet access. Network Two is not allowed internet access for obvious reasons being a POS environment. Computer One needs to communicate with Computer to access shared folders and for other reasons. I am happy to set a fixed IP on Computer One if the solutions calls for it.
    – Freckles
    Dec 28, 2012 at 4:37

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