can I connect to two networks at once?

[gizmo-au]

I have a small network with 2 computers sharing a printer. They connect using ethernet cable, via a dlink wired/wireless router.

I now have a Sierra AirCard 760 wireless modem/ hotspot - it can wirelessly connect up to 5 computers to share the wireless internet connection.

trouble is, I can use network manager to connect to the wireless network and it logs in / connects OK, but firefox can't connect to any webpage as long as the wired connection (for printing) is still connected. If I disable the wired connection or pull out the ethernet cable, then the wireless connection works perfectly to connect to the net.

Is there any way to :
 1.  maintain both wired and wireless connections, with printer traffic going via the wired network and internet traffic going via the wireless network?
OR 2.  disconnect the ethernet cable from the computer, and connect printing via the aircard modem > Dlink wireless router > ethernet cable to printer OR 3.  don't connect wireless direct from computer to modem, and instead use the wired network to connect to printer, and ethernet cable > wired connection to Dlink wireless router> wireless  connection from dlink router to aircard wireless internet router. (that is, router-to -router...)

or any other suggestions...

Thanks

[T6]

is this your 3g/4g device?

http://www.sierrawireless.com/productsandservices/AirCard/MobileHotspots/AirCard760S.aspx

what d-link router do you have?

it could be possible to make the d-link work together in the same network with the aircard

[Just17]

Yes, both connections can be active at the same time.

The wired connection is automatically set as the default, so if this can be changed so that the wireless connection is the default it seems to me that this would solve your problem.

I feel sure there is a file which can be edited to change this ....... one of the network files.

....  must have a root around ......


EDIT:
You could try changing the 'metric' to give priority to the wireless NIC ......  and then set up the printer on the other NIC.

[muungwana]

have both interfaces connected and then run these commands and post their output

ifconfig

route -n

The wireless network should take precedent when both wired and wireless interfaces are connected, atleast thats how its supposed to be.

Do you connect the wireless network using default pclinuxos wireless network tools or have you installed and are using "networkmanager"?

[Just17]

The wired interface always takes precedence here ......  and always has since I first checked it while using PCLOS.

Changing the metric setting for the wireless interface from the default of 35 to something lower ...  say 5 ....  gives the wireless the priority. I think the wired metric is 20 or so.

Just checked here ....  and yes the wireless is now the one being used after I lowered the metric setting