"zeretul" said:
All of my computers are routed to a network hub and share
direct access to the internet.
Comp#1(XP) is mine in room A.
Comp#2(98) is dads in room B.(Also, is attached to the
printer)
Comp#3(98se) is moms also in room B.
I would like to network a connection to the printer for
all the comp's. Comp#2 is connected directly to the
printer, and also runs a firewall program due to the
direct internet connection. Comp's #1 and #3 also run
firewall programs for internet access, but are only
connected to the printer through Comp#2.
So, how do I set up the software connection between these
as the hardware connection is already complete?
The answer that follows applies to computers that have a broadband
(cable modem, DSL, satellite, etc) Internet connection through a
network hub or switch. It doesn't apply if they connect through a
broadband router.
Your network setup is described in the Windows XP Help and Support
program. Click Start | Help and Support, search for the topic
"Network configurations overview", and look at the section labeled
"Individual Internet connections".
The solution given there is to install the IPX/SPX protocol for file
sharing and to disable file sharing on TCP/IP. I've written a web
page showing how to do it:
Windows XP Network Protocols
http://www.practicallynetworked.com/sharing/xp/network_protocols.htm
There are two reasons to use IPX/SPX instead of TCP/IP for file
sharing:
1. If your broadband provider assigns IP addresses in different
subnets to your computers, it isn't possible for them to communicate
with each other using TCP/IP.
2. Since your computers connect directly to the Internet, they receive
public IP addresses that are accessible by everyone on the Internet.
Using TCP/IP for file sharing could let other people access your
shared files.
Another alternative would be to remove the hub, get a broadband
router, connect the broadband connection to its WAN port, and connect
the computers to its LAN ports. In that case:
1. You'd only need to get one IP address from your broadband provider,
which would save you money if it charges a monthly fee for more than
one IP address.
2. The broadband router would assign private IP addresses to your
computers. Private IP addresses aren't accessible by other Internet
users, so your network would be safe.
3. You could use TCP/IP as the only network protocol, with no need for
IPX/SPX.
--
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