Networking 2 computers and the Internet with Windows XP

[Jeffrey Spoon]

Hello. I am using two machines which need to communicate over TCP/IP.
I have two PC's, one a Windows 98SE machine connected to a switch. My
Internet enabled pc runs Windows XP Pro and is also connected to the
switch. Then my cable modem is connected to the switch.

Originally I just setup both PC's to talk over the same subnet with
similar IP's, but this meant changing the settings in my Internet
connection, so no Internet access at the same time.

However, now I need to connect to the Internet as well as having the two
machines talk to each other. Is this possible with a switch? The XP
network wizards seem to give no option that actually works, other than
enabling file and printer sharing which is no good.

Now it seems that they can't talk to each other because the Internet
enabled machine uses the ISP provided IP and subnet, so the Win98SE
machine can't see it.

Is there any way to do this?

Thanks

 

[Chuck]

Hello. I am using two machines which need to communicate over TCP/IP.
I have two PC's, one a Windows 98SE machine connected to a switch. My
Internet enabled pc runs Windows XP Pro and is also connected to the
switch. Then my cable modem is connected to the switch.

Originally I just setup both PC's to talk over the same subnet with
similar IP's, but this meant changing the settings in my Internet
connection, so no Internet access at the same time.

However, now I need to connect to the Internet as well as having the two
machines talk to each other. Is this possible with a switch? The XP
network wizards seem to give no option that actually works, other than
enabling file and printer sharing which is no good.

Now it seems that they can't talk to each other because the Internet
enabled machine uses the ISP provided IP and subnet, so the Win98SE
machine can't see it.

Is there any way to do this?

Thanks

Jeffrey,

Are you paying for two Internet connections, which puts the two computers on
separate subnets? If so, you will need to use IPX/SPX for file sharing. There
is no way to run file sharing over TCP/IP, with Internet service, without
exposing both computers to every hacker in your neighborhood (and your
neighborhood include this entire country).
<http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/05/one-unique-case-where-ipxspx-may-help.html>
http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/05/one-unique-case-where-ipxspx-may-help.html

A far better solution, though, would be a NAT router. For several reasons.
<http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2006/01/proper-network-design.html#Router>
http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2006/01/proper-network-design.html#Router

 

[Richard G. Harper]

With respect to Chuck, whose advice is good and will likely work, I would
suggest that you get a router and put it between that cable modem and your
computers. At that point both computers will be able to see the Internet
and each other, and none of your systems will be open and exposed to the
Internet at large.

It's also a bit more simple to configure your systems via a router than to
add IPX/SPX and then have two things to troubleshoot if something goes
pear-shaped.



--
Richard G. Harper [MVP Shell/User] (e-mail address removed)
* PLEASE post all messages and replies in the newsgroups
* for the benefit of all. Private mail is usually not replied to.
* My website, such as it is ... http://rgharper.mvps.org/
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[Jeffrey Spoon]

With respect to Chuck, whose advice is good and will likely work, I would
suggest that you get a router and put it between that cable modem and your
computers. At that point both computers will be able to see the Internet
and each other, and none of your systems will be open and exposed to the
Internet at large.

It's also a bit more simple to configure your systems via a router than to
add IPX/SPX and then have two things to troubleshoot if something goes
pear-shaped.

Thanks both of you. Yes, on digging thru XP help I realised that at the
least I'd need another NIC or a router. I'm not sure if IPX/SPX would
work anyway because I'm trying to sniff TCP/IP packets between the two
machines, but I'm not sure if IPX/SPX wraps TCP/IP or how that works.

Thanks

 

[Chuck]

Thanks both of you. Yes, on digging thru XP help I realised that at the
least I'd need another NIC or a router. I'm not sure if IPX/SPX would
work anyway because I'm trying to sniff TCP/IP packets between the two
machines, but I'm not sure if IPX/SPX wraps TCP/IP or how that works.

Jeffrey,

Well, if sniffing TCP/IP packets were my goal, then my only solution would be a
router. Routers are very affordable, and since you are using Ethernet already,
easy enough to setup. I wouldn't fool with IPX/SPX either.

 

[Jeffrey Spoon]

Jeffrey,

Well, if sniffing TCP/IP packets were my goal, then my only solution would be a
router. Routers are very affordable, and since you are using Ethernet already,
easy enough to setup. I wouldn't fool with IPX/SPX either.

Yeah, I should've mentioned that in the first place. Cheers

 

[Richard G. Harper]

IPX/SPX doesn't touch TCP/IP, so it would be unable to see or monitor any
TCP packets. You definitely need a router.

--
Richard G. Harper [MVP Shell/User] (e-mail address removed)
* PLEASE post all messages and replies in the newsgroups
* for the benefit of all. Private mail is usually not replied to.
* My website, such as it is ... http://rgharper.mvps.org/
* HELP us help YOU ... http://www.dts-l.org/goodpost.htm