The best way to add a new computer to a small home network

B

BP

I am retiring a W98 computer and adding a new XP computer I just built to a
2 box home network.
Currently I have an XP box "Bruce" that has 2 NIC's, one for broadband
internet, one for LAN. The "serving" host.
It is connected to the W98 through a crossover cable, and shares broadband
through ICS. The "client machine".
I want to demote Bruce to replace the W98 box as the "client machine". I
will remove the broadband NIC (virtually and physically) and leave only the
one LAN NIC.
The new box, "Nigel" will now have 2 NICs. Being a new, clean install, the
network setup is straight forward.
My question is: what is the best way to prepare Bruce for the transition?
Will the existing network connection work "out of the box" if I just plug it
in and disable ICS? Or should I remove the device, virtually or physically,
and create a fresh, new network connection?
Any relevant how-to links or KB articles would be greatly appreciated.

Both boxes run XP home edition SP2.
I've searched the web and the KB for a while but can't come up with a word
combination that returns anything pertaining to what I am going to do.
TIA
 
C

Chuck

I am retiring a W98 computer and adding a new XP computer I just built to a
2 box home network.
Currently I have an XP box "Bruce" that has 2 NIC's, one for broadband
internet, one for LAN. The "serving" host.
It is connected to the W98 through a crossover cable, and shares broadband
through ICS. The "client machine".
I want to demote Bruce to replace the W98 box as the "client machine". I
will remove the broadband NIC (virtually and physically) and leave only the
one LAN NIC.
The new box, "Nigel" will now have 2 NICs. Being a new, clean install, the
network setup is straight forward.
My question is: what is the best way to prepare Bruce for the transition?
Will the existing network connection work "out of the box" if I just plug it
in and disable ICS? Or should I remove the device, virtually or physically,
and create a fresh, new network connection?
Any relevant how-to links or KB articles would be greatly appreciated.

Both boxes run XP home edition SP2.
I've searched the web and the KB for a while but can't come up with a word
combination that returns anything pertaining to what I am going to do.

If you're going to demote Bruce to the ICS client role, rerun the Network Setup
Wizard, and select:
This computer connects to the Internet through another computer on my network or
through a residential gateway.

Then run the NSW on Nigel, and select:
This computer connects directly to the Internet. The other computers on my
network connect to the Internet through this computer.

But the NSW, on each, will have to know which NIC is to be used for service, and
which for sharing (for Nigel).

Why buy extra NICs, and spend time adding them, and running the NSW? Why remove
the W98 computer at all? Get a NAT router, and forget about ICS! Quality NICs
run $10 - 15; you can get a decent NAT router for $40. Are you trying to save
$30?
<http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/05/ics-is-ok-but-you-can-do-better.html>
http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/05/ics-is-ok-but-you-can-do-better.html
 
S

Steve Winograd [MVP]

"BP" said:
I am retiring a W98 computer and adding a new XP computer I just built to a
2 box home network.
Currently I have an XP box "Bruce" that has 2 NIC's, one for broadband
internet, one for LAN. The "serving" host.
It is connected to the W98 through a crossover cable, and shares broadband
through ICS. The "client machine".
I want to demote Bruce to replace the W98 box as the "client machine". I
will remove the broadband NIC (virtually and physically) and leave only the
one LAN NIC.
The new box, "Nigel" will now have 2 NICs. Being a new, clean install, the
network setup is straight forward.
My question is: what is the best way to prepare Bruce for the transition?
Will the existing network connection work "out of the box" if I just plug it
in and disable ICS? Or should I remove the device, virtually or physically,
and create a fresh, new network connection?
Any relevant how-to links or KB articles would be greatly appreciated.

Both boxes run XP home edition SP2.
I've searched the web and the KB for a while but can't come up with a word
combination that returns anything pertaining to what I am going to do.
TIA

This will do what you want on Bruce:

1. Disable ICS.
2. Uninstall the broadband NIC in Device Manager.
3. Shut down.
4. Physically remove the broadband NIC.
5. Reboot.
6. Configure the LAN NIC's TCP/IP properties to obtain an IP address
automatically.

Unless you need the broadband NIC in another computer, there's no need
to uninstall it. You could do just steps 1 and 6 and then disable the
network connection for the broadband NIC.
--
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
 
B

BP

Chuck said:
If you're going to demote Bruce to the ICS client role, rerun the Network
Setup
Wizard, and select:
This computer connects to the Internet through another computer on my
network or
through a residential gateway.

Then run the NSW on Nigel, and select:
This computer connects directly to the Internet. The other computers on my
network connect to the Internet through this computer.

But the NSW, on each, will have to know which NIC is to be used for
service, and
which for sharing (for Nigel).

Why buy extra NICs, and spend time adding them, and running the NSW? Why
remove
the W98 computer at all? Get a NAT router, and forget about ICS! Quality
NICs
run $10 - 15; you can get a decent NAT router for $40. Are you trying to
save
$30?
<http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/05/ics-is-ok-but-you-can-do-better.html>
http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/05/ics-is-ok-but-you-can-do-better.html
I own all the NICs. I'd have to shell out for a NAT.
W98 has no place to go. Will donate to needy relative.
I'm trying to do what I do. Without spending any money.
Thanks for the step by step. Sounds easy ;-)
 
B

BP

Steve Winograd said:
This will do what you want on Bruce:

1. Disable ICS.
2. Uninstall the broadband NIC in Device Manager.
3. Shut down.
4. Physically remove the broadband NIC.
5. Reboot.
6. Configure the LAN NIC's TCP/IP properties to obtain an IP address
automatically.

Unless you need the broadband NIC in another computer, there's no need
to uninstall it. You could do just steps 1 and 6 and then disable the
network connection for the broadband NIC.

That sounds easy enough. Thanks.
 

Ask a Question

Want to reply to this thread or ask your own question?

You'll need to choose a username for the site, which only take a couple of moments. After that, you can post your question and our members will help you out.

Ask a Question

Top