P2P Network Question

[Tom]

Using a router, DSLonnection, two XP Pro SP2 PCs, how do I set up a simple
P2P network?
I've done this before but noticed my two PCs can no longer see each other.
I don't believe I did more then enable file/printer sharing and use the same
log on creditials on both PCs. But it's not working. What else do I need
to do.
Both PCs can access the internet through the router.

Thanks,

Tom

 

[Malke]

Using a router, DSLonnection, two XP Pro SP2 PCs, how do I set up a simple
P2P network?
I've done this before but noticed my two PCs can no longer see each other.
I don't believe I did more then enable file/printer sharing and use the
same
log on creditials on both PCs. But it's not working. What else do I need
to do.
Both PCs can access the internet through the router.

For XP, start by running the Network Setup Wizard on all machines (see
caveat in Item A below).

Problems sharing files between computers on a network are generally caused
by 1) a misconfigured firewall; or 2) inadvertently running two firewalls
such as the built-in Windows Firewall and a third-party firewall; and/or 3)
not having identical user accounts and passwords on all Workgroup machines;
4) trying to create shares where the operating system does not permit it.

A. Configure firewalls on all machines to allow the Local Area Network (LAN)
traffic as trusted. With Windows Firewall, this means allowing File/Printer
Sharing on the Exceptions tab. Normally running the Network Setup Wizard on
XP will take care of this for those machines.The only "gotcha" is that this
will turn on the XPSP2 Windows Firewall. If you aren't running a
third-party firewall or have an antivirus with "Internet Worm
Protection" (like Norton 2006/07) which acts as a firewall, then you're
fine. With third-party firewalls, I usually configure the LAN allowance
with an IP range. Ex. would be 192.168.1.0-192.168.1.254. Obviously you
would substitute your correct subnet. Do not run more than one firewall.

B. For ease of organization, put all computers in the same Workgroup. This
is done from the System applet in Control Panel, Computer Name tab.

C. Create matching user accounts and passwords on all machines. You do not
need to be logged into the same account on all machines and the passwords
assigned to each user account can be different; the accounts/passwords just
need to exist and match on all machines. If you wish a machine to boot
directly to the Desktop (into one particular user's account) for
convenience, you can do this. The instructions at this link work for both
XP and Vista:

Configure Windows to Automatically Login (MVP Ramesh) -
http://windowsxp.mvps.org/Autologon.htm

D. If one or more of the computers is XP Pro or Media Center:

1. If you need Pro's ability to set fine-grained permissions, turn off
Simple File Sharing (Folder Options>View tab) and create identical user
accounts/passwords on all computers.

2. If you don't care about using Pro's advanced features, leave the Simple
File Sharing enabled. Simple File Sharing means that Guest (network) is
enabled. This means that anyone without a user account on the target system
can use its resources. This is a security hole but only you can decide if
it matters in your situation.

Malke

 

[Tom]

For XP, start by running the Network Setup Wizard on all machines (see
caveat in Item A below).

Problems sharing files between computers on a network are generally caused
by 1) a misconfigured firewall; or 2) inadvertently running two firewalls
such as the built-in Windows Firewall and a third-party firewall; and/or
3)
not having identical user accounts and passwords on all Workgroup
machines;
4) trying to create shares where the operating system does not permit it.

A. Configure firewalls on all machines to allow the Local Area Network
(LAN)
traffic as trusted. With Windows Firewall, this means allowing
File/Printer
Sharing on the Exceptions tab. Normally running the Network Setup Wizard
on
XP will take care of this for those machines.The only "gotcha" is that
this
will turn on the XPSP2 Windows Firewall. If you aren't running a
third-party firewall or have an antivirus with "Internet Worm
Protection" (like Norton 2006/07) which acts as a firewall, then you're
fine. With third-party firewalls, I usually configure the LAN allowance
with an IP range. Ex. would be 192.168.1.0-192.168.1.254. Obviously you
would substitute your correct subnet. Do not run more than one firewall.

B. For ease of organization, put all computers in the same Workgroup. This
is done from the System applet in Control Panel, Computer Name tab.

C. Create matching user accounts and passwords on all machines. You do not
need to be logged into the same account on all machines and the passwords
assigned to each user account can be different; the accounts/passwords
just
need to exist and match on all machines. If you wish a machine to boot
directly to the Desktop (into one particular user's account) for
convenience, you can do this. The instructions at this link work for both
XP and Vista:

Configure Windows to Automatically Login (MVP Ramesh) -
http://windowsxp.mvps.org/Autologon.htm

D. If one or more of the computers is XP Pro or Media Center:

1. If you need Pro's ability to set fine-grained permissions, turn off
Simple File Sharing (Folder Options>View tab) and create identical user
accounts/passwords on all computers.

2. If you don't care about using Pro's advanced features, leave the Simple
File Sharing enabled. Simple File Sharing means that Guest (network) is
enabled. This means that anyone without a user account on the target
system
can use its resources. This is a security hole but only you can decide if
it matters in your situation.

Malke

Much thganks for your indepth response.

Tom

 

[jameshanley39]

Using a router, DSLonnection, two XP Pro SP2 PCs, how do I set up a simple
P2P network?
I've done this before but noticed my two PCs can no longer see each other.
I don't believe I did more then enable file/printer sharing and use the same
log on creditials on both PCs.  But it's not working.  What else do I need
to do.
Both PCs can access the internet through the router.

Thanks,

Tom

can you do \\ip ?

that's the big test.

If you can, then you're most of the way there.
If not, then it is just a - not DNS issue, but I think it's called
NetBT or something, issue.
Make sure all comps are on the same workgroup.

maybe for simplicity - and this may be necessity , I don't know.
Make sure that all computers are using the same thing.
For example, all use SFS(simple file sharig), or all use AFS(advanced
file sharing). SFS is prob easier
I think the network setup wizard does that by default.
But it can still fail.. 'cos of issues with Guest. SFS uses Guest.
Make sure Guest account is enabled, and not being Denied.
ctrl panel..administrative tools...local policies..user rights
assignments
"Acess this computer..." <-- should say Everyone
"Deny access......." <-- make sure Guest is not listed. Commonly this
is being denied.
"
And there is one more which prob nobody needs to change, I think it
changes with SFS or AFS. IF you say SFS , it gets set to Guest. If you
say AFS, it gets set to Classic. IF you set it to classic, it sets
you to AFS. If you set it to Guest it sets you to SFS.

I think windows by default - at least win xp sp2 maybe.. Has guest
disabled and denied. Which is fine for SFS but not for AFS. THe
network setup wizard may fix that for SFS - since it chooses SFS, I
don't recall . But it's good to knwo what goes on behind the scenes
and not need wizards.

By the way,
I usually hear of P2P are programs like eMule. But I guess, P2P - Peer
To Peer.. is generic..
As far as definitions go..
PTP is "point to point" which I think means directly connected.

would you say that P2P is where any computer may act as server and any
as client. So for example, in this case, you want all your computers,
or a few, to run file and printer sharing server. So they can a few or
all or any, can share each others files