Can I use a switch on a peer to peer network?

[In_the_dark]

I have a problem on a small peer to peer network.
There are four machines , one is Windows 98 and the others are XP. I
want to use one machines for Internet Connection Sharing. I also need
to have printer and file sharing enabled.

To do this I have got a 5 port switch. I have given each machines a
fixed IP but they won't connect. They can see the network and it is
also possible I need to adjust the local policies as well.

Ping is odd as well if I can list them

A 192.168.1.1
B 192.168.1.2
C 192.168.1.3 Win 98
D 192.168.1.4
E 192.168.1.5 Test ( No Norton)

A can ping C & D
B can ping C
C can ping D
D can ping C

Curiously C can be accessed by E and its shared files opened.

So the question is , is this the right approach? I have read posts
here stating that a switch is a suitable option.
I will add that three of the machines have Norton 2006 on them, which
I am suspicious of anyway.
All thoughts or links appreciated.

 

[Hans-Georg Michna]

A 192.168.1.1
B 192.168.1.2
C 192.168.1.3 Win 98
D 192.168.1.4
E 192.168.1.5 Test ( No Norton)

A can ping C & D
B can ping C
C can ping D
D can ping C

Curiously C can be accessed by E and its shared files opened.

So the question is , is this the right approach? I have read posts
here stating that a switch is a suitable option.

Unless the switch is defective, the cause lies elsewhere. A
functioning switch is totally transparent to the computers.

I will add that three of the machines have Norton 2006 on them, which
I am suspicious of anyway.

And rightfully so.

Hans-Georg

 

[Jim]

I have a problem on a small peer to peer network.
There are four machines , one is Windows 98 and the others are XP. I
want to use one machines for Internet Connection Sharing. I also need
to have printer and file sharing enabled.

To do this I have got a 5 port switch. I have given each machines a
fixed IP but they won't connect. They can see the network and it is
also possible I need to adjust the local policies as well.

Ping is odd as well if I can list them

A 192.168.1.1
B 192.168.1.2
C 192.168.1.3 Win 98
D 192.168.1.4
E 192.168.1.5 Test ( No Norton)

A can ping C & D
B can ping C
C can ping D
D can ping C

Curiously C can be accessed by E and its shared files opened.

So the question is , is this the right approach? I have read posts
here stating that a switch is a suitable option.
I will add that three of the machines have Norton 2006 on them, which
I am suspicious of anyway.
All thoughts or links appreciated.

Check all firewalls for proper settings. Make certain that there is only
one firewall present on any computer.

Your problem is that something is blocking ICMP packets.

Jim

 

[Steve Winograd [MVP]]

I have a problem on a small peer to peer network.
There are four machines , one is Windows 98 and the others are XP. I
want to use one machines for Internet Connection Sharing. I also need
to have printer and file sharing enabled.

To do this I have got a 5 port switch. I have given each machines a
fixed IP but they won't connect. They can see the network and it is
also possible I need to adjust the local policies as well.

Ping is odd as well if I can list them

A 192.168.1.1
B 192.168.1.2
C 192.168.1.3 Win 98
D 192.168.1.4
E 192.168.1.5 Test ( No Norton)

A can ping C & D
B can ping C
C can ping D
D can ping C

Curiously C can be accessed by E and its shared files opened.

So the question is , is this the right approach? I have read posts
here stating that a switch is a suitable option.
I will add that three of the machines have Norton 2006 on them, which
I am suspicious of anyway.
All thoughts or links appreciated.

The switch should work fine.

However, the IP addresses that you've assigned won't work with
Internet Connection sharing, which requires addresses in the
192.168.0.0/255.255.255.0 range.

I recommend that you:

1. Configure all of the computers to obtain an IP address
automatically.

2. Run XP's Network Setup Wizard on each computer, as shown here:

XP ICS - Starting the Network Setup Wizard
http://www.practicallynetworked.com/sharing/xp_ics/networksetupwiz.htm

3. Configure one of the XP computers to share its Internet connection
by specifying the Wizard's connection method "This computer connects
directly to the Internet. The other computers on my network connect
to the Internet through this computer".

4. On the rest of the computers, specify the Wizard's connection
method "This computer connects to the Internet through a residential
gateway or through another computer on my network".

5. Configure the firewall on each computer to allow access by other
computers on the local area network (192.168.0.0 subnet).
--
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

 

[RalfG]

Just as an addendum to Steve's post; add each of the computer IP's to the
Norton firewall Safe Zone. You might also have to add 127.0.0.0 and
0.0.0.0.. You might also have to open the file sharing ports in Norton's
general rules for those specific computer IPs (while still blocking all
other IPs).

In addition, go into the Intrusion Detection settings and add each of the
computer IPs into the Exclusions list. Include the IP of the computer Norton
resides on.