Wireless Peer to Peer Networking

[Guest]

I am connecting Windows XP (Service Pack 2) laptops together using a peer to
peer wireless network, using the built in Windows network connection
software.

Is there a limit on the number of machines that can connect to the peer to
peer network?

 

[Chuck]

I am connecting Windows XP (Service Pack 2) laptops together using a peer to
peer wireless network, using the built in Windows network connection
software.

Is there a limit on the number of machines that can connect to the peer to
peer network?

Tim,

There is a limit on simultaneous incoming connections. Windows XP Home is
limited to 5, while XP Pro is limited to 10.
<http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/07/server-availability-affected-by.html>
http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/07/server-availability-affected-by.html

 

[Steve Winograd [MVP]]

I am connecting Windows XP (Service Pack 2) laptops together using a peer to
peer wireless network, using the built in Windows network connection
software.

Is there a limit on the number of machines that can connect to the peer to
peer network?

No, there's no explicit limit.

A typical home network (TCP/IP protocol, one subnet, subnet mask of
255.255.255.0) has a limit of 254 machines. By changing the subnet
mask, you can have a practically unlimited number of machines.

There's misinformation about this on the Internet. For example, the
web site for Gateway computers says that "Windows XP Home Edition is a
consumer operating system that does not support peer-to-peer
networking of more than five computers." That's wrong, and it's
probably due to a misunderstanding of the information in this
Microsoft Knowledge Base article:

Inbound Connections Limit in Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;314882
--
Best Wishes,
Steve Winograd, MS-MVP (Windows Networking)

Please post any reply as a follow-up message in the news group
for everyone to see. I'm sorry, but I don't answer questions
addressed directly to me in E-mail or news groups.

Microsoft Most Valuable Professional Program
http://mvp.support.microsoft.com

 

[Steve Winograd [MVP]]

No, there's no explicit limit.

A typical home network (TCP/IP protocol, one subnet, subnet mask of
255.255.255.0) has a limit of 254 machines. By changing the subnet
mask, you can have a practically unlimited number of machines.

There's misinformation about this on the Internet. For example, the
web site for Gateway computers says that "Windows XP Home Edition is a
consumer operating system that does not support peer-to-peer
networking of more than five computers." That's wrong, and it's
probably due to a misunderstanding of the information in this
Microsoft Knowledge Base article:

Inbound Connections Limit in Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;314882

I need to add one more thing to my reply.

Your wireless router might have a limit on the number of machines that
can connect wirelessly at the same time. That limit wouldn't apply to
machines that connect to the router through wired Ethernet.
--
Best Wishes,
Steve Winograd, MS-MVP (Windows Networking)

Please post any reply as a follow-up message in the news group
for everyone to see. I'm sorry, but I don't answer questions
addressed directly to me in E-mail or news groups.

Microsoft Most Valuable Professional Program
http://mvp.support.microsoft.com

 

[Guest]

Hi Steve,

Thanks for your reply, however my issue is slightly different. I will
explain further:

I need to set up a peer to peer wireless network between Windows XP
Proffesional laptops and one laptop running Windows 2003 Server, Web Edtion.
However we would prefer not to use an access point. Is there a limit on the
number of peer to peer connections (with no wireless router)?

Thanks,

Tim

 

[Steve Winograd [MVP]]

Hi Steve,

Thanks for your reply, however my issue is slightly different. I will
explain further:

I need to set up a peer to peer wireless network between Windows XP
Proffesional laptops and one laptop running Windows 2003 Server, Web Edtion.
However we would prefer not to use an access point. Is there a limit on the
number of peer to peer connections (with no wireless router)?

Thanks,

Tim

You're welcome, Tim. It looks like I didn't understand your question.

Are you asking whether there's a limit to the number of computers that
can connect to an ad-hoc (no access point) wireless network? I'm
sorry, but I don't know the answer. If that's what you want to know,
try asking in the wireless networking news group.
--
Best Wishes,
Steve Winograd, MS-MVP (Windows Networking)

Please post any reply as a follow-up message in the news group
for everyone to see. I'm sorry, but I don't answer questions
addressed directly to me in E-mail or news groups.

Microsoft Most Valuable Professional Program
http://mvp.support.microsoft.com

 

[Guest]

Steve,

Yes I was trying to ask whether there was a limit to the number of computers
that can connect to an ad-hoc. Thanks for your help, I will post my message
in the Wireless networking News Group.

Tim