Simple questions for simple 2 PC file sharing network. Simple?

[raylopez99]

Hi--

I would like to set up a _very_ simple network to just share files,
see below.

I have some simple questions (I bet it's not simple but we'll see). I
do have experience with PCs, having built many from scratch, but
little networking experience (other than a cross-over cable I used
once to transfer files between PCs), though I'm generally familiar
with the lingo.

What I have now: INTERNET connects to ("<-->") [Alcatel 536 ADSL
modem/firewall (having one port input for telephone line, one port
output for Ethernet)] <--> Windows XP OS Pentium IV PC with Ethernet
port.

What I want: INTERNET connects to (<-->) [Alcatel 536 ADSL model
(having one port input for telephone line, one port output for
Ethernet)] <--> D-Link Ethernet Broadband Router DI-604 , has Ethernet
input port and four Ethernet (for WAN) output ports (here is the spec
sheet: http://www.dlink.com/products/?pid=62) <--> PC Windows XP OS
Pentium IV PC's Ethernet port <===>PC Windows NT OS Pentium I, 133 MHz
(also connected directly to one of the four DI-604 Broadband router
outputs).


Questions:

0. Mechanics of physical connections-- I assume this is not
disputable: I simply plug the DSL modem output directly to the input
of the Ethernet router, then simply connect the two PC's each to one
of the four Ethernet router outputs.

1. Software: what needs to be configured? Please don't feel like
you have to give me detailed instructions or pointers, what I want is
just a short answer to see if it's worthwhile to do with a minimum of
hassle

1a. Does the initialization between the Pentium IV and the DSL modem
(which are presently talking to each other fine) have to reoccur (as
in a software change/modification)? Last time, to get the Pentium IV
to talk to the DSL modem, it resulted in a lengthy phone call to the
DSL provider (I'm outside the US at the moment, and they are not that
network savvy here), and I rather have to avoid this if possible.

1b. Is it a big hassle to get the Pentium I (Windows NT OS) to talk
to the Ethernet router? Windows NT was a great step forward from
Windows 98, but I have a feeling it's not as network aware as Windows
XP is.

2. I assume the answer is "no", but will the Pentium IV (running
Windows XP OS) 'self-configure' when it sees the new "What I want"
layout above the first time it boots up? Using Google, I can find the
HowTo on how to make XP become aware of the Ethernet router on the
net, but if you have a quick pointer please feel free to cite it.

2b. Same question for the Pentium I (running Windows NT).

3. Best (simpliest) network protocol for file transfer is? NetBUOI?
Keep in mind that the old Pentium that I want to network will not ever
need internet access; I just want to share files between the two PCs
more quickly than the present arrangement of using a USB thumb
drive.

Thank you,

RL

 

[DanS]

Hi--

I would like to set up a _very_ simple network to just share files,
see below.

I have some simple questions (I bet it's not simple but we'll see). I
do have experience with PCs, having built many from scratch, but
little networking experience (other than a cross-over cable I used
once to transfer files between PCs), though I'm generally familiar
with the lingo.

What I have now: INTERNET connects to ("<-->") [Alcatel 536 ADSL
modem/firewall (having one port input for telephone line, one port
output for Ethernet)] <--> Windows XP OS Pentium IV PC with Ethernet
port.

What I want: INTERNET connects to (<-->) [Alcatel 536 ADSL model
(having one port input for telephone line, one port output for
Ethernet)] <--> D-Link Ethernet Broadband Router DI-604 , has Ethernet
input port and four Ethernet (for WAN) output ports (here is the spec
sheet: http://www.dlink.com/products/?pid=62) <--> PC Windows XP OS
Pentium IV PC's Ethernet port <===>PC Windows NT OS Pentium I, 133 MHz
(also connected directly to one of the four DI-604 Broadband router
outputs).


Questions:

0. Mechanics of physical connections-- I assume this is not
disputable: I simply plug the DSL modem output directly to the input
of the Ethernet router, then simply connect the two PC's each to one
of the four Ethernet router outputs.

Yes, the modem's Eth to the WAN port of the router. Network devices to
the other 4 ports.

1. Software: what needs to be configured? Please don't feel like
you have to give me detailed instructions or pointers, what I want is
just a short answer to see if it's worthwhile to do with a minimum of
hassle

The rtr will need to be configured, and, how all depends on the DSL type
you have.

You didn't mention if the PC's already have network cards or not. They
will all need to be configured obviously. On the LAN side, decide whether
or not you want static IP's or DHCP. With just a few PC's, static IP's
are very easy to track and then you don't hav any issue's with a DHCP
server. The rtr usually comes with DHCP enabled.

1a. Does the initialization between the Pentium IV and the DSL modem
(which are presently talking to each other fine) have to reoccur (as
in a software change/modification)? Last time, to get the Pentium IV
to talk to the DSL modem, it resulted in a lengthy phone call to the
DSL provider (I'm outside the US at the moment, and they are not that
network savvy here), and I rather have to avoid this if possible.

Again, this depends on the DSL setup. After you get evrything configured
and it should be talking but it's not, the standard procedure is to power
down everything. Bring up the modem until it is fully online. The turn on
the rtr, then the PC's. Before you change the setup, the DSL modem knows
the MAC address of what is connected to it, the PC. The modem needs to
detect the new MAC address attached to work.

1b. Is it a big hassle to get the Pentium I (Windows NT OS) to talk
to the Ethernet router? Windows NT was a great step forward from
Windows 98, but I have a feeling it's not as network aware as Windows
XP is.

Shouldn't be, after configured.

2. I assume the answer is "no", but will the Pentium IV (running
Windows XP OS) 'self-configure' when it sees the new "What I want"
layout above the first time it boots up? Using Google, I can find the
HowTo on how to make XP become aware of the Ethernet router on the
net, but if you have a quick pointer please feel free to cite it.

XP may detect if a new NIC is installed, but the network setup needs to
be done regardless on each PC.

2b. Same question for the Pentium I (running Windows NT).

3. Best (simpliest) network protocol for file transfer is? NetBUOI?
Keep in mind that the old Pentium that I want to network will not ever
need internet access; I just want to share files between the two PCs
more quickly than the present arrangement of using a USB thumb
drive.

TCP/IP is what is installed by default in XP. I don't know if NT can
network only with TCP/IP.

 

[raylopez99]

"raylopez99" <[email protected]> wrote innews:[email protected]:

Thanks. I assume your answer keeps in mind that the old PC running NT
will only be networked for file transfer, not for internet access,
though I have a feeling that you cannot segregate it from the internet
(i.e. you get internet access whether you like it or not, once the PC
is on the LAN).

RL

 

[DanS]

Thanks. I assume your answer keeps in mind that the old PC running NT
will only be networked for file transfer, not for internet access,
though I have a feeling that you cannot segregate it from the internet
(i.e. you get internet access whether you like it or not, once the PC
is on the LAN).

RL

Again, not to familiar with NT4 networking requirements (as in if it can
function w/ONLY TCP/IP), but to not have internet on the NT box, you would
just not bind the TCP/IP protocol to the NT4's NIC. You could use NetBui
protocol, but then each PC would need NetBui bound as well to talk to the
NT PC.