Networking and XP not user friendly. Help?

[Guest]

Hi, new to XP and networking, hopefully someone can help. This idea is a
simple one I have a cable modem hooked up to an XP computer by way of USB.
From this computer I would like to set up a network for two other computers
using a switch both this computers have XP. On the "host" machine this is an
integrated LAN port to which I have connected the switch, and then the two
other computers to the switch. I have tried Network Setup Wizard, a network
connection bridge and ICS. I have tried it with the firewall on and off. At
the best of times the "host" computer will have internet 50% of the time.
When I bridged the connections I kept getting an error "Unable to assign or
renew IP address" for the LAN connection. I know if there is no solution I
can get a router, but it's become almost a bet here whether or not it is
possible to get this to work with this configuration.

 

[Steve Winograd [MVP]]

Hi, new to XP and networking, hopefully someone can help. This idea is a
simple one I have a cable modem hooked up to an XP computer by way of USB.
From this computer I would like to set up a network for two other computers
using a switch both this computers have XP. On the "host" machine this is an
integrated LAN port to which I have connected the switch, and then the two
other computers to the switch. I have tried Network Setup Wizard, a network
connection bridge and ICS. I have tried it with the firewall on and off. At
the best of times the "host" computer will have internet 50% of the time.
When I bridged the connections I kept getting an error "Unable to assign or
renew IP address" for the LAN connection. I know if there is no solution I
can get a router, but it's become almost a bet here whether or not it is
possible to get this to work with this configuration.

Delete the network bridge -- it serves no useful purpose and will make
it harder to get everything working.

It isn't safe to connect to the Internet without a firewall! If the
host machine has XP Service Pack 2, enable the Windows Firewall and
allow exceptions. If it has XP RTM or Service Pack 1, enable the
Internet Connection Firewall on the USB cable modem connection, and
disable the Internet Connection Firewall on the LAN connection.

You don't need to use the Wizard. On the host machine, enable ICS
manually on the USB cable modem connection. On the client machine,
configure the LAN connection to obtain an IP address automatically,
then disable and enable the connection so that it picks up its TCP/IP
settings from the host machine.
--
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

 

[Lanwench [MVP - Exchange]]

Hi, new to XP and networking, hopefully someone can help. This idea
is a simple one I have a cable modem hooked up to an XP computer by
way of USB. From this computer I would like to set up a network for
two other computers using a switch both this computers have XP. On
the "host" machine this is an integrated LAN port to which I have
connected the switch, and then the two other computers to the switch.
I have tried Network Setup Wizard, a network connection bridge and
ICS. I have tried it with the firewall on and off. At the best of
times the "host" computer will have internet 50% of the time. When I
bridged the connections I kept getting an error "Unable to assign or
renew IP address" for the LAN connection. I know if there is no
solution I can get a router, but it's become almost a bet here
whether or not it is possible to get this to work with this
configuration.

Frankly, rather than bothering with ICS, I'd get a cheap & cheerful
gateway/NAT/firewall appliance (NetGEAR, Linksys, D-Link, etc) - they're
very inexpensive & add a layer of additional security. The $30/$40 or so it
will cost you for such an appliance is worth losing this bet if your goal is
simply to make everything work right. ;-)
ICS is a pain and I don't bother with it, even with just a couple of
computers.