How to configure network with two firewalled subnets sharing a server

[CGS]

I'm trying to configure a network with firewalled zones, and a shared file/print server as follows:

four pc's in finance, see each other and share a printer connected to one of them

four pc's in admin, same as above
five pc's in councelors, same as above
three pc's in 'foundation', same as above

One PC with shared printer, hard drive for backing up to, and shared database s/w, called CIMS, which should be accessible by all.

This network was set up via coax, which kept breaking. We want continuity, and security for each zone. I called Linksys. They said to do the following:

Set up four BEFSR81 routers, one for each zone. Plug them into a fifth router. Plug the PC into the fifth router. Then call and they will explain how to configure the routers to let all four zones just themselves and the outside PC. I did. On Thursday, when I called, with the complete setup ready to go, they said Sorry. The BEFSR81 doesn't advanced functions like static routing. I said there's a page there to configure. They said well, the router may support it, but we don't....
Please help soonest...on Tuesday, everyone shows up to use this setup.

 

[bcastner]

If one wanted 5 subnets, then choosing a router that is limited to a subnet mask of /24 addressing would not be such a great idea.

You need to specify what operating system are you using.
You need to specify if internet access/sharing is required.
For the machine hosting SIMS is it a true server or a worksation.

As only 1 other subnet needs to be reached from the 4 subnets, I think there is some hope for you.

But more information is needed.

 

[bcastner]

You might try calling Linksys again and hopefully reach a different person. You want to get to Level or Tier 2 tech support, otherwise you are talking to a group of people in India.

I think this would work, but I cannot test it:

The five subnets would be:

CISM 192.168.1.1 Router #1 Gateway address
Finance 192.168.2.1 Router #2 Gateway address
Admin 192.168.3.1 Router #3 Gateway address
Councelors 192.168.4.1 Router #4 Gateway address
Foundation 192.168.5.1 Router #5 Gateway address

Router #2 - #5 would have a straight-through cable connected from their uplink port to regular LAN ports on router #1.

Configurations:

Router #1, using its web setup change the connection type to whatever is appropriate to access the internet. The LAN IP should be 192.168.1.1, mask 255.255.255.0

Routers #2 - #5:

You will set each router to use a static IP. For example, Router #2, connection setting Static IP, IP 192.168.2.1, Gateway 192.168.1.1, DNS 192.168.1.1.

(For router #3, the only change in setup is that the static IP will be 192.168.3.1; for #4 192.168.4.1; and for #5, 192.168.5.1)

Next step for each router is to go to Advanced, Dynamic routing and select router instead of Gateway, and enable RIP-1 for both TX and RX. Go to Static Routing and set for the LAN interface a 1 Hop static route to network address 192.168.1.0, mask 255.255.255.0, Gateway 192.168.1.1.

I think that will work.