Changing Host to Client and vice versa

[Guest]

Hello,

My apologies if this is not the right group in which to post this
quesiton. I've looked for other more appropriate groups and even
posted in the much lesser used comp.networks. I've also RTFM and
without success on THIS particular problem.

I have three computers on a LAN using a LinkSys BEFSR42 V.2, 4-port
router.

Computer #1 - a 400 mHz computer about to be retired and removed from
the network. Currently it is set as the HOST on the LAN. OS is XP Pro

Computer #2 - A Compaq 5430 US (1.8 gHz) running XP Home Edition which
is and will remain a client on the LAN.

Computer #3 - A newly built (home-built, 2.8 gHz) computer running
XP Pro which I intend to configure and replace as the HOST on the LAN
replacing Computer #!.

I can't seem to find out how I might change and reverse the
Host/Client relationship on computers #1 and #3 and only assume it's
even necessary. I do know if I shut down Computer #1 (the Host) the
other computers are no longer able to access the Internet.

Recently, while roaming around some of the settings on one of the
computers during an entirely unrelated purpose, I came across a menu
item which seemed to allow the computer to be changed from Host to
Client and vice versa. But, now that I need it, I can't seem to find
that menu item anywhere. Do any of you know where this option might be
located?


TIA,

f





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[Richard G. Harper]

The question as asked doesn't make much sense. What exactly do you mean by
"Host" and "Client"?

 

[Guest]

The question as asked doesn't make much sense. What exactly do you mean by
"Host" and "Client"?

You'd have to know my perception of networking.

With 3 computers set up on a LAN using a router, it's always been my
belief one of the computers acted as a host upon which the other two
computers relied. This was verified (in my mind) by the fact that the
'client' computers were never able to access the Internet unless the
'host' computer was up and running.

In just the last few hours I've come to understand how mis-guided this
notion was. It seems the two 'clients' were unable to access the
Internet because shutting down the 'host' included turning off the
power strip in which the monitor, printer and THE ROUTER were plugged.
Thus, those two computers couldn't access the Internet, not because
one was host to the other clients; but because there was no power to
the router. That's dumb, I know. But I never really gave it much
thought until preparing to remove the 'host' computer from the LAN.

I just finished building my first computer system. So, I'm not exactly
computer illiterate. But networking, for some reason, completely
mystifies me. I don't understand it. I don't "get it" no matter how
much I attempt to learn it. Hence the dumb question I posted to this
forum.

Thank you for taking the time to reply. The rest of you can now get up
off the floor.

f




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[Richard G. Harper]

There are no dumb questions, unless you count the ones that go unasked. I'm
glad you were able to figure it out in the end.