Networking

  • Thread starter Thread starter Lee
  • Start date Start date
L

Lee

After setting up a network between my desktop and laptop it worked fine
until I started making changes based on security suggestions I found on
trusted sites on the web. Now I have problems connecting the computers
and when I am able I have problems with it trying constantly to access
my dial up connection which is continuous until I unplug the network. I
now want to remove all old settings and and start from scratch.

It is a simple direct cable network with no router. I don't need to
connect to the web via the network as they each have access to the phone
line. First, how do I clear all settings so that they do not show back
up in a new setup. Second, all I want to do is share files and the
printer between these computers and let them access the net individually.

Which of these packets should I install “Internet Protocol (TCP/IP)”,
“File and printer sharing for a Microsoft network”, “QoS Packet
scheduler”, “Client for Microsoft networks”.

Also aren't these settings individual to each connection you set up? The
notebook also is wireless 802.11 bg , which I use when I work out of
town each week, at several eating establishments which are not secure.
Should I only install the TCP/IP protocol to prevent access to it in one
of these networks. I have heard about setting up a VPN on this
connection but all info I find is more confusing than helpful.

Both machines are running Win XP Home SP2. Laptop is HP Pavillion zv6130
AMD Athlon 64-3200, 512 MB ram, Desktop custom AMD Athlon XP2500+, 1 Gig
ram . Both use builtin Realtech network interface.

I know this is a lot to cover and have looked on the news feeds for
info, but have been frustrated trying to interpret what I find as a lot
of it is not stated in a way that is understandable to a ignorant
novice. Any help is appreciated, Lee
 
After setting up a network between my desktop and laptop it worked fine
until I started making changes based on security suggestions I found on
trusted sites on the web. Now I have problems connecting the computers
and when I am able I have problems with it trying constantly to access
my dial up connection which is continuous until I unplug the network. I
now want to remove all old settings and and start from scratch.

It is a simple direct cable network with no router. I don't need to
connect to the web via the network as they each have access to the phone
line. First, how do I clear all settings so that they do not show back
up in a new setup. Second, all I want to do is share files and the
printer between these computers and let them access the net individually.

Which of these packets should I install “Internet Protocol (TCP/IP)”,
“File and printer sharing for a Microsoft network”, “QoS Packet
scheduler”, “Client for Microsoft networks”.

Also aren't these settings individual to each connection you set up? The
notebook also is wireless 802.11 bg , which I use when I work out of
town each week, at several eating establishments which are not secure.
Should I only install the TCP/IP protocol to prevent access to it in one
of these networks. I have heard about setting up a VPN on this
connection but all info I find is more confusing than helpful.

Both machines are running Win XP Home SP2. Laptop is HP Pavillion zv6130
AMD Athlon 64-3200, 512 MB ram, Desktop custom AMD Athlon XP2500+, 1 Gig
ram . Both use builtin Realtech network interface.

I know this is a lot to cover and have looked on the news feeds for
info, but have been frustrated trying to interpret what I find as a lot
of it is not stated in a way that is understandable to a ignorant
novice. Any help is appreciated, Lee
Click to expand...

Lee,

If you have two computers, and want to network them, how are you going to
connect both computers directly to each other, and to dialup simultaneously?

Are you using a simple crossover cable connected to Ethernet adapters in each
computer?
 
After setting up a network between my desktop and laptop it worked fine
until I started making changes based on security suggestions I found on
trusted sites on the web. Now I have problems connecting the computers
and when I am able I have problems with it trying constantly to access
my dial up connection which is continuous until I unplug the network. I
now want to remove all old settings and and start from scratch.

It is a simple direct cable network with no router. I don't need to
connect to the web via the network as they each have access to the phone
line. First, how do I clear all settings so that they do not show back
up in a new setup. Second, all I want to do is share files and the
printer between these computers and let them access the net individually.

Which of these packets should I install “Internet Protocol (TCP/IP)”,
“File and printer sharing for a Microsoft network”, “QoS Packet
scheduler”, “Client for Microsoft networks”.

Also aren't these settings individual to each connection you set up? The
notebook also is wireless 802.11 bg , which I use when I work out of
town each week, at several eating establishments which are not secure.
Should I only install the TCP/IP protocol to prevent access to it in one
of these networks. I have heard about setting up a VPN on this
connection but all info I find is more confusing than helpful.

Both machines are running Win XP Home SP2. Laptop is HP Pavillion zv6130
AMD Athlon 64-3200, 512 MB ram, Desktop custom AMD Athlon XP2500+, 1 Gig
ram . Both use builtin Realtech network interface.

I know this is a lot to cover and have looked on the news feeds for
info, but have been frustrated trying to interpret what I find as a lot
of it is not stated in a way that is understandable to a ignorant
novice. Any help is appreciated, Lee
Click to expand...

Lee,

If you have two computers, and want to network them, how are you going to
connect both computers directly to each other, and to dialup simultaneously?

Are you using a simple crossover cable connected to Ethernet adapters in each
computer? Is that the "simple direct cable network with no router"?

If you're going to share files between the two, you'll need both “File and
printer sharing for a Microsoft network” and “Client for Microsoft networks”.
Depending upon how you connect those two protocols, you may need “Internet
Protocol (TCP/IP)”.

Do you really want to use this setup? You'll be so much better off using a NAT
router that supports dialup.
<http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/05/sharing-your-dialup-internet-service.html>
http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/05/sharing-your-dialup-internet-service.html
 
Chuck said:
Lee,

If you have two computers, and want to network them, how are you going to
connect both computers directly to each other, and to dialup simultaneously?

Are you using a simple crossover cable connected to Ethernet adapters in each
computer? Is that the "simple direct cable network with no router"?

If you're going to share files between the two, you'll need both “File and
printer sharing for a Microsoft network” and “Client for Microsoft networks”.
Depending upon how you connect those two protocols, you may need “Internet
Protocol (TCP/IP)”.

Do you really want to use this setup? You'll be so much better off using a NAT
router that supports dialup.
<http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/05/sharing-your-dialup-internet-service.html>
http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/05/sharing-your-dialup-internet-service.html
Click to expand...
Internet connection sharing is not a issue as my dialup is so slow it
will barely support one computer at a time. I only set it to share on
the original setup because it was available and wanted to see what it
could do.
Yes the connection is a crossover cable between the Ethernet adapters.
It is more than adequate as I only need to share files and printer and
synchronize some folders with that wonderful little tool called Sync
Tool from Microsoft.

I will soon have high speed cable available to me in th city I go to
each weekend to work and will probably access it with wireless, but will
deal with that when it happens.
 
Chuck said:
Lee,

If you have two computers, and want to network them, how are you going to
connect both computers directly to each other, and to dialup simultaneously?

Are you using a simple crossover cable connected to Ethernet adapters in each
computer? Is that the "simple direct cable network with no router"?

If you're going to share files between the two, you'll need both “File and
printer sharing for a Microsoft network” and “Client for Microsoft networks”.
Depending upon how you connect those two protocols, you may need “Internet
Protocol (TCP/IP)”.

Do you really want to use this setup? You'll be so much better off using a NAT
router that supports dialup.
<http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/05/sharing-your-dialup-internet-service.html>
http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/05/sharing-your-dialup-internet-service.html
Click to expand...
Internet connection sharing is not a issue as my dial up is so slow it
will barely support one computer at a time. I only set it to share on
the original setup because it was available and wanted to see what it
could do.
Yes the connection is a crossover cable between the Ethernet adapters.
It is more than adequate as I only need to share files and printer and
synchronize some folders with that wonderful little tool called Sync
Tool from Microsoft.

I will soon have high speed cable available to me in th city I go to
each weekend to work and will probably access it with wireless, but will
deal with that when it happens.
just checked the network blog you sent me and find wireless may be good
both for here at home , as my modem here is a Zoom 2920.
Would this type of router work on a cable hookup which is connected via
a Ethernet cable also?
 
Internet connection sharing is not a issue as my dialup is so slow it
will barely support one computer at a time. I only set it to share on
the original setup because it was available and wanted to see what it
could do.
Yes the connection is a crossover cable between the Ethernet adapters.
It is more than adequate as I only need to share files and printer and
synchronize some folders with that wonderful little tool called Sync
Tool from Microsoft.

I will soon have high speed cable available to me in th city I go to
each weekend to work and will probably access it with wireless, but will
deal with that when it happens.
Click to expand...

Well, since you're asking for help stated in a way that is understandable to a
ignorant novice, I would try and get you to use the Network Setup Wizard. But I
don't see any selection in there that will give you your configuration.
<http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/05/using-network-setup-wizard-in-windows.html>
http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/05/using-network-setup-wizard-in-windows.html

I'm going to ask you to consider that maybe your dialup is so slow because you
have software running on each computer that you don't know about. This is a
very common problem today, with under protected computers. If you're not behind
a NAT router, you are under protected. I highly recommend a thorough malware
analysis - you may be surprised.
<http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/05/dealing-with-malware-adware-spyware.html>
http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/05/dealing-with-malware-adware-spyware.html
 
Internet connection sharing is not a issue as my dial up is so slow it
will barely support one computer at a time. I only set it to share on
the original setup because it was available and wanted to see what it
could do.
Yes the connection is a crossover cable between the Ethernet adapters.
It is more than adequate as I only need to share files and printer and
synchronize some folders with that wonderful little tool called Sync
Tool from Microsoft.

I will soon have high speed cable available to me in th city I go to
each weekend to work and will probably access it with wireless, but will
deal with that when it happens.
just checked the network blog you sent me and find wireless may be good
both for here at home , as my modem here is a Zoom 2920.
Would this type of router work on a cable hookup which is connected via
a Ethernet cable also?
Click to expand...

Most wireless routers also have Ethernet LAN connections, in addition to an
Ethernet WAN (Internet) connection. If you were looking at the dialup routers
with WiFi, any of them will support Ethernet as well as wireless, yes.
 
Chuck said:
Well, since you're asking for help stated in a way that is understandable to a
ignorant novice, I would try and get you to use the Network Setup Wizard. But I
don't see any selection in there that will give you your configuration.
<http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/05/using-network-setup-wizard-in-windows.html>
http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/05/using-network-setup-wizard-in-windows.html

I'm going to ask you to consider that maybe your dialup is so slow because you
have software running on each computer that you don't know about. This is a
very common problem today, with under protected computers. If you're not behind
a NAT router, you are under protected. I highly recommend a thorough malware
analysis - you may be surprised.
<http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/05/dealing-with-malware-adware-spyware.html>
http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/05/dealing-with-malware-adware-spyware.html
Click to expand...
I run Adaware, Spywareblaster, Spybot and Microsoft anti-spyware about
every 5 days and more often if I suspect problems. My problem is that I
live in the country and we have lousy phone service here. Also it was
this slow even after a full wipe reformat and reinstall before any
malware could possibly have been installed.
Am looking at Netgears wireless routers on the web now and like what I
am reading about them. is wireless as safe int this type of router as
wired?Their Super G looks good, but Double 108 is attractive because of
the 802.11a . There will be times when in work city that on the cable
access there will need to be connection sharing and possibly will have
to computers using it at the same time. So I need a recommendation as to
which router would fit this need on a home network.
 
Lee said:
I run Adaware, Spywareblaster, Spybot and Microsoft anti-spyware about
every 5 days and more often if I suspect problems. My problem is that
I live in the country and we have lousy phone service here. Also it
was this slow even after a full wipe reformat and reinstall before any
malware could possibly have been installed.
Am looking at Netgears wireless routers on the web now and like what I
am reading about them. is wireless as safe int this type of router as
wired?Their Super G looks good, but Double 108 is attractive because
of the 802.11a . There will be times when in work city that on the
cable access there will need to be connection sharing and possibly
will have to computers using it at the same time. So I need a
recommendation as to which router would fit this need on a home network.
Click to expand...

I'm convinced. A router is needed. Because of the double firewall,
Netgear seems the logical choice. I want to set up here at home to
accommodate the current dial up I have, have it be wireless to
accommodate my laptop which is "54g™ 802.11b/g WLAN with 125HSM /
SpeedBooster™ and BroadRange™ support", and be ready for high speed
Internet in the future, cable, DSL, or wireless, etc., all may soon be
available. Remember I have a hardware (Zoom 2920) modem and a Ethernet
connection I'm thinking the Netgear Rangemax (WPN824) would meet all
these needs for high speed and dial up on both setups I am looking at
putting together. Or is there a better unit I have overlooked. I want
the unit with the most features and ability to assure covering any
possibility. Any suggestions or am I on target?
 
Lee said:
I'm convinced. A router is needed. Because of the double firewall,
Netgear seems the logical choice. I want to set up here at home to
accommodate the current dial up I have, have it be wireless to
accommodate my laptop which is "54g™ 802.11b/g WLAN with 125HSM /
SpeedBooster™ and BroadRange™ support", and be ready for high speed
Internet in the future, cable, DSL, or wireless, etc., all may soon be
available. Remember I have a hardware (Zoom 2920) modem and a
Ethernet connection I'm thinking the Netgear Rangemax (WPN824) would
meet all these needs for high speed and dial up on both setups I am
looking at putting together. Or is there a better unit I have
overlooked. I want the unit with the most features and ability to
assure covering any possibility. Any suggestions or am I on target?
Click to expand...


An afterthought about a recent news story I heard that talked about
always on Internet connections like cable being very vulnerable to
invasion and your computer being turned into "Zombie Server" even with
the best security installed. Does this type of router and the VPN it
can create, a VPN can as I understand it be built using this router
can't it, protect you from these vulnerabilities?
 
I'm convinced. A router is needed. Because of the double firewall,
Netgear seems the logical choice. I want to set up here at home to
accommodate the current dial up I have, have it be wireless to
accommodate my laptop which is "54g™ 802.11b/g WLAN with 125HSM /
SpeedBooster™ and BroadRange™ support", and be ready for high speed
Internet in the future, cable, DSL, or wireless, etc., all may soon be
available. Remember I have a hardware (Zoom 2920) modem and a Ethernet
connection I'm thinking the Netgear Rangemax (WPN824) would meet all
these needs for high speed and dial up on both setups I am looking at
putting together. Or is there a better unit I have overlooked. I want
the unit with the most features and ability to assure covering any
possibility. Any suggestions or am I on target?
Click to expand...

I would definitely go with a WiFi solution. If you don't have high bandwidth
LAN though, and plan to buy all hardware by the same vendor, I wouldn't waste
money on Super-G though. Super-G (Speedbooster) is proprietary right now, and
all equipment has to have the same chipset. Do you have neighbors? Super-G
uses all 11 WiFi channels, and allows for no sharing of the spectrum.
<http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/10/wifi-will-never-be-as-fast-as-ethernet.html>
http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/10/wifi-will-never-be-as-fast-as-ethernet.html

My general recommendation is to keep the modem, the router, and the WiFi
components separate. Selection criteria for each function is variable, and each
person's needs will differ. Combined units don't have the flexibility in
feature set that is sufficient to cover everybody's needs.
<http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/10/computer-uniqueness.html>
http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/10/computer-uniqueness.html

What is the double firewall you're mentioning? One firewall, properly
maintained, should be enough. You should supplement that at another layer - one
perimeter device, and personal firewalls on each computer, are the way to go.
<http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/05/please-protect-yourself-layer-your.html>
http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/05/please-protect-yourself-layer-your.html

But you've got a good start. I'm curious - do you have 2 separate phone lines
coming to your house? Do both run on the same physical cable?
 
An afterthought about a recent news story I heard that talked about
always on Internet connections like cable being very vulnerable to
invasion and your computer being turned into "Zombie Server" even with
the best security installed. Does this type of router and the VPN it
can create, a VPN can as I understand it be built using this router
can't it, protect you from these vulnerabilities?
Click to expand...

A VPN is a peer-peer security device. If you have two computers, or two
networks, and wish to connect them securely, a VPN is a very good idea. But for
client to server, as in Internet client, a VPN is less useful.

The articles that you've been reading are scary, aren't they? But don't throw
the baby out with the bath water. Good layered security strategy will protect
you, if you work on ALL of the layers. Layers 4 and 5 are essential!
<http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/05/please-protect-yourself-layer-your.html>
http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/05/please-protect-yourself-layer-your.html
 
Chuck said:
I would definitely go with a WiFi solution. If you don't have high bandwidth
LAN though, and plan to buy all hardware by the same vendor, I wouldn't waste
money on Super-G though. Super-G (Speedbooster) is proprietary right now, and
all equipment has to have the same chipset. Do you have neighbors? Super-G
uses all 11 WiFi channels, and allows for no sharing of the spectrum.
<http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/10/wifi-will-never-be-as-fast-as-ethernet.html>
http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/10/wifi-will-never-be-as-fast-as-ethernet.html

My general recommendation is to keep the modem, the router, and the WiFi
components separate. Selection criteria for each function is variable, and each
person's needs will differ. Combined units don't have the flexibility in
feature set that is sufficient to cover everybody's needs.
<http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/10/computer-uniqueness.html>
http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/10/computer-uniqueness.html

What is the double firewall you're mentioning? One firewall, properly
maintained, should be enough. You should supplement that at another layer - one
perimeter device, and personal firewalls on each computer, are the way to go.
<http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/05/please-protect-yourself-layer-your.html>
http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/05/please-protect-yourself-layer-your.html

But you've got a good start. I'm curious - do you have 2 separate phone lines
coming to your house? Do both run on the same physical cable?
Click to expand...
Yes they do . The lines come on two separate sets of wire coming in a
single cable/wire. I use one for talk the other for the Internet. I only
use the connection one computer at a time using a splitter giving access
to each computer. The double firewall was a specification on Netgears
wireless networking page
"http://www.netgear.com/applications/home/wireless.php" on several of
their models.I'm heading into town now to buy these components. As I see
it, right now I need to buy a wireless adapter and a router. I'm so
ignorant of what is out there I need a little shove in the right direction.
 
Yes they do . The lines come on two separate sets of wire coming in a
single cable/wire. I use one for talk the other for the Internet. I only
use the connection one computer at a time using a splitter giving access
to each computer. The double firewall was a specification on Netgears
wireless networking page
"http://www.netgear.com/applications/home/wireless.php" on several of
their models.I'm heading into town now to buy these components. As I see
it, right now I need to buy a wireless adapter and a router. I'm so
ignorant of what is out there I need a little shove in the right direction.
Click to expand...

OK, well, I don't see you mentioning an external dialup modem. Do you still
intend to setup Internet service using dialup, or are you going straight to
broadband?

Looking at Netgear's webpage (very interesting), I think you want to take their
selections with a grain of salt. Super G, Double 108, and RangeMax (MIMO) are
all proprietary solutions. MIMO is not even a standard yet. Look at those 3
product lines very skeptically.
 
Chuck said:
OK, well, I don't see you mentioning an external dialup modem. Do you still
intend to setup Internet service using dialup, or are you going straight to
broadband?

Looking at Netgear's webpage (very interesting), I think you want to take their
selections with a grain of salt. Super G, Double 108, and RangeMax (MIMO) are
all proprietary solutions. MIMO is not even a standard yet. Look at those 3
product lines very skeptically.
Click to expand...
Here at home it will be dialup, and the modem is regretfully internal.
 
Chuck wrote:
Click to expand...
NAT router. is that the external modem
Click to expand...

Lee,

No. A modem connects directly to your dialup service, or your broadband
service, and provides a single connection. You need a router to share that
connection to multiple computers, and to isolate those computers (security).
# An internal modem connects directly into your computer.
# An external dialup modem connects to your computer, or to a NAT router that
supports dialup, using a serial cable (thick, round).
# An external broadband modem connects to your computer, or to a NAT
router,using an Ethernet cable (thin, round).

Note that NAT routers that support dialup will also support broadband. If you
buy a dialup NAT router, you will be able to use it when you get broadband.
Just setup the WAN connection on the router, plug it into the broadband modem,
and you'll be online.
<http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/05/sharing-your-dialup-internet-service.html>
http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/05/sharing-your-dialup-internet-service.html
 
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