Question : TCP/IP: 2 subnets, computers configured with IP of subnet 1 and  SM and DG of subnet 2. Disadvantages of the configuration.

We have many computers on our network and 2 different subnets that we are using.

Subnet 1:
Net ID:192.168.2.0
SM: 255.255.255.128
DG:192.168.3.1

Subnet 2:
Net ID:224.168.125.0
SM:255.255.255.192
DG:225.168.125.1

The subnet masks and default gateway on some of the computers have been crossed so that some computers on the 2nd subnet have been given the subnet mask and default gateway of the first subnet., i.e. Computer 1 is configured with TCP/IP with the following: 224.168.125.25 SM:255.255.255.128, DG: 192.168.2.1, this computer is on the 2nd subnet and should have a .192 SM and use the 225.168.125.1 default gateway. The few computers we have configured this way work fine, but I'm wondering what adverse affects this may cause on our network especially with bandwidth, broadcasting, latency etc..

Im looking for a detailed understanding of why these computers need the subnet mask and default  gateway of their own subnet over the other subnet and what disadvantage it would be to have a few computers configured this way.

Server 2003 AD domain, Exchange 2003 and XP Pro environment, static IP assigned IP for all computers, servers and switches and routers.

Thank you,

Answer : TCP/IP: 2 subnets, computers configured with IP of subnet 1 and  SM and DG of subnet 2. Disadvantages of the configuration.

Please don't take what I said as accusing you of lying.  It obviously works - just not like it should.

What I said (or meant to) was via tcp/ip the configuration will not work if:

1 - The computers are on a different subnets
2 - The default gateway is on a different subnet than the computer

I think you are on to something with your router - like I asked above - it appears that you might have 2 addresses on your router (server).  

You are correct that it is not idea from a data perspective because your switch or router is involved when it does not need to be.

I would recommend cleaning up the IP addresses and simplifying it if you can.