Networking Switch question

[trurocal]

Here's my problem... and I apologize if this is simple but would appreciate some insight.

I travel to a large venue that has its own network set up, across the entire venue.

I am in a room that has 1 ethernet cable with the venue network. I have 1 SQL server laptop, and 6 client laptop machines. I could just use my own network, but I move around the venue with 1 client machine that needs to talk back to the rest. So it has to be on the venue IP.

I used an 8-port managed switch. Venue ethernet went in, patched to the SQL server, and then patched to the 6 client machines.

Now the issue is that only 5 machines can pull an IP. So after the server, that's only 4/6 client machines. The rest just said Unknown Network, no internet. I tried daisy-chaining another switch, same issue.

I suspect this has something to do with the venue network configs (?) but curious if there's a type of networking switch I can purchase that would be more suited to these scenarios, or if it just depends on the venue each time. This exact same set up at the hotel, even with a daisy-chained switch, gave me 6/6 clients + 1 SQL no issue. Same equipment. So it's obviously how the venue was set up.

Is it better to use an unmanaged switch? Is there an alternative that would be better? Really, all I need to do is make sure all my clients and SQL server have the same IP as the venue. I don't need any adjustments.

Thanks in advance.

[icecream-guy]

the venue is probably limiting the number of Ip's that you can obtain.

You could always use a router to provide dhcp, connect the switch behind,  get your 1 IP from the venue and NAT on the router for your clients who obtain the ip from the router.

[deanwebb]

^ My thoughts exactly. Hotels are stingy with their wireless, so bringing a router that only consumes 1 IP address from the hotel and then provisions to the rest of your devices sounds like the way to go. That way, the mobile device can hit hit from the venue wifi wherever it goes.

Having said, that, it's wide open - you will want loads of security on that thing and I don't mean maybe.