Networking basics

[Woody]

Networking

I have set up a small office network, (12 PC's) all win 2000 pro boxes
(upgraded from Win 98) with no server. These PC's are connected to a 24 port
D-Link 1024 switch and GVC router connected to a cable modem. The router has
DHCP enabled.
I can browse the internet no problem but I cannot see other computers in the
workgroup. The message I get is " The list of servers for this workgroup is
not currently available ". I have set up office workgroups many times and
never had this type of problem before, it's driving me crazy. I thought it
might be cabling at first but I brought in a few store bought cables and the
same thing.
I did notice though that if I select "locate computers" it will find them
but the location is unknown. You have to login to the PC manually to see it.

Any help would be apprecitated losing my mind here.

Thanks

 

[Herb Martin]

Is that device a layer-three (router) switch?
If so, you cannot broadcast perhaps and
browsing is based on broadcasts in the same
(sub)net.

You could try a WINS server and have all
of the machines register with it, but if this is
a router(switch) issue you will need a domain
to exchance lists -- workgroups don't have a
"Domain Master Browser."

 

[Colin]

I had the same problem with three computers on a network.
I had to install the netBEUI protocol as well as Client
for Microsoft network.

 

[Herb Martin]

Using LMHosts is an alternative to WINS, but it is more
than just entering the address records.

You also have to add the Domain and Browser records
to get everything working.

It's doable for 10 or so machines -- by 100 it is definitely
obnoxious to keep up to date.

Somewhere between 10-100 most people will switch to
WINS -- and of course, LMhosts requires you use static
address on all machines too.