Networking protocol questions

[Mike Jacoubowsky]

(Originally posted incorrectly in windowsxp.hardware)

Which is the best newsgroup to ask questions regarding networking protocols?

Specifically, I have a network with the following-

Several WinXP computers (1 home, 2 Professional)
Windows 2000 computer
Novell Netware 3.2 (ipx/spx)
Windows ME

On this network, I need to share files & printers between any and all
computers listed above.

Question is, which protocols do I absolutely have to have? Right now the
network is pretty slow when printing, possibly because too many protocols
are loaded. I know I need IPX/SPX to connect to the Netware server (I use
the Novell client to do so on the WinME and WinXP Home machines, since
Microsoft doesn't include IPX/SPX for those). Can everything else run on
TCP/IP?

Thanks!

 

[Jetro]

You need:
- Novell or Microsoft client for Netware to communicate with NetWare 3.2
server;
- Client for Microsoft network, if you want Windows machines to communicate,
and enable NetBIOS over common protocol since you have pre-W2k clients;
- File&Printer Sharing on every MS machine which shares the resources such
as a printer or file;
- TCP/IP, if you need the Internet access.

You can:
- change Novell frame from 802.3 to Ethernet_II;
- connect the printer to the Netware server;
- keep all the files on the Netware server;
- tune up binding components and order using Network menu
Advanced/AdvancedSettings on W2k and XP machines and similar applet on
WinME.

 

[Lanwench [MVP - Exchange]]

(Originally posted incorrectly in windowsxp.hardware)

Which is the best newsgroup to ask questions regarding networking
protocols?

Specifically, I have a network with the following-

Several WinXP computers (1 home, 2 Professional)
Windows 2000 computer
Novell Netware 3.2 (ipx/spx)
Windows ME

On this network, I need to share files & printers between any and all
computers listed above.

Question is, which protocols do I absolutely have to have? Right now
the network is pretty slow when printing, possibly because too many
protocols are loaded. I know I need IPX/SPX to connect to the
Netware server (I use the Novell client to do so on the WinME and
WinXP Home machines, since Microsoft doesn't include IPX/SPX for
those). Can everything else run on TCP/IP?

Yes - put all the Windows computers in the same workgroup. First try pinging
each by IP address - then by name. The latter should eventually work,
providing that you have NetBIOS over TCP/IP enabled on the WinXP box...if
you have lots of name resolution problems for Windows boxes you can use a
hosts file on each, but NetBIOS broadcast should take care of it, frankly.