What am I doing wrong here??? (RE: "Home Networking Confusion")

[Phoenix]

OK - am I missing something here...???

First let me say thank you to both Carey and Steve for their information
that they provided me with in my original post (see: "Home Networking
Confusion" posted 2/4/2005 9:51 pm).

On that note however, bear in mind - I am completely new to this Networking
thing, and I appreciate any and all info, tips and ideas...lol

1. Carey - your link was exactly what I was after - a step-by-step
walkthrough of all the aspects of how to Network 2 (or more) XP PC's! Thank
You!

.....Only one thing - it didn't work.
....I did everything EXACTLY the way your walkthru said to - but neither PC
is showing the other's PC in Network Places, although on my PC, my OWN PC is
showing and on my wife's PC, HERS is showing, but she cannot see mine, and
vice-versa...

....admittedly - there is a remote possibility of user error, but I highly
doubt it - you gave very detailed, clear instructions...and I ran through it
3 times a piece on both PC's...

I am happily open to any feedback you could give me on this matter....


2. Steve - Your info was just as helpful, but again - did not resolve the
issue...although more so in this case as opposed to Carey's - I believe that
there is a high probability of user error when it comes to the information
that you gave me...I followed the instructions to the T that you gave me -
although when I got done doing that on both PC's - there was NOTHING in
Network Places (not even my own PC).

I am grateful to both of you - and am very open to the possibility that this
could be a user error...

If you guys (and anyone else for that matter) can give me some ideas on what
I am doing wrong here...I would be SO grateful....


Here again - just in case it is helpful to anyone in any way - is the specs
regarding what I am working with:

2 PC's - Both have Windows XP Home (XPSP2).

Broadband Connection.

1 Netgear Fast Ethernet Switch / Model FS105

1 PC has a Realtek RTL8139 Family PCI Fast Ethernet NIC.
1 PC has a ADMtek AN986 USB To Fast Ethernet Converter.

Each computer has it's own IP address.


Thanks for the info - and if you guys see what I may be missing, or have any
ideas, let me know!

 

[Jack]

Hi
Without getting into any philosophical discussion, and right or wrong, and
Good Network vs. Bad Network, and so on and on an on.

In the Interest of simple functionality, try a simple 10 minutes solution
that is very easy to uninstall in 1 minute if you do not like it.

Install NetBEUI as an additional protocol and bind it to the File sharing as
well.

Instructions here: http://www.ezlan.net/netbeui.html

Jack (MVP-Networking).

 

[Steve Winograd [MVP]]

OK - am I missing something here...???

First let me say thank you to both Carey and Steve for their information
that they provided me with in my original post (see: "Home Networking
Confusion" posted 2/4/2005 9:51 pm).

On that note however, bear in mind - I am completely new to this Networking
thing, and I appreciate any and all info, tips and ideas...lol

1. Carey - your link was exactly what I was after - a step-by-step
walkthrough of all the aspects of how to Network 2 (or more) XP PC's! Thank
You!

....Only one thing - it didn't work.
...I did everything EXACTLY the way your walkthru said to - but neither PC
is showing the other's PC in Network Places, although on my PC, my OWN PC is
showing and on my wife's PC, HERS is showing, but she cannot see mine, and
vice-versa...

...admittedly - there is a remote possibility of user error, but I highly
doubt it - you gave very detailed, clear instructions...and I ran through it
3 times a piece on both PC's...

I am happily open to any feedback you could give me on this matter....


2. Steve - Your info was just as helpful, but again - did not resolve the
issue...although more so in this case as opposed to Carey's - I believe that
there is a high probability of user error when it comes to the information
that you gave me...I followed the instructions to the T that you gave me -
although when I got done doing that on both PC's - there was NOTHING in
Network Places (not even my own PC).

I am grateful to both of you - and am very open to the possibility that this
could be a user error...

If you guys (and anyone else for that matter) can give me some ideas on what
I am doing wrong here...I would be SO grateful....


Here again - just in case it is helpful to anyone in any way - is the specs
regarding what I am working with:

2 PC's - Both have Windows XP Home (XPSP2).

Broadband Connection.

1 Netgear Fast Ethernet Switch / Model FS105

1 PC has a Realtek RTL8139 Family PCI Fast Ethernet NIC.
1 PC has a ADMtek AN986 USB To Fast Ethernet Converter.

Each computer has it's own IP address.


Thanks for the info - and if you guys see what I may be missing, or have any
ideas, let me know!

Your setup (both computers connecting directly to a broadband
connection through a switch) is unusual. Using a broadband router
instead of a switch is much more common, easier to set up, and safer.

Your computers get public IP addresses from your broadband ISP, so you
must not use TCP/IP for file sharing -- that could give Internet
hackers access to your computers. Carey's instructions don't apply to
your setup and won't work for you.

Did you install NWLink IPX/SPX on both computers and un-bind sharing
from TCP/IP, as I describe here?

Windows XP Network Protocols
http://www.practicallynetworked.com/sharing/xp/network_protocols.htm
--
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

 

[Carey Holzman]

Using my setup will work fine for you as long as software firewall is
installed on each PC. I do recommend a router, however, as they are very
inexpensive and make this whole process much easier. You can alternately
install a second protocol, however I recommend IPX/SPX, as NetBeui will be
phased out of the next version of Windows which would require you to
re-setup your network again.

You are welcome to email me directly to work this through one-on-one.

(e-mail address removed)

 

[Steve Winograd [MVP]]

Using my setup will work fine for you as long as software firewall is
installed on each PC. I do recommend a router, however, as they are very
inexpensive and make this whole process much easier. You can alternately
install a second protocol, however I recommend IPX/SPX, as NetBeui will be
phased out of the next version of Windows which would require you to
re-setup your network again.

You are welcome to email me directly to work this through one-on-one.

No, Carey, your setup won't work in this situation, because:

1. Phoenix's computers connect directly to a cable modem and have
public IP addresses in different subnets, assuming a subnet mask of
more than 14 bits (255.252.0.0). As he said:

One PC is 67.166.118.19
The other is 67.164.193.22

In my area, Comcast uses a subnet mask of 19 bits (255.255.224.0).

2. Even if they were in the same subnet now, that could change at any
time when their DHCP leases are renewed.

3. There's no way to configure a software firewall to allow sharing
between his computers when their IP addresses can change at any time.

Therefore, they can't share files and printers with each other using
TCP/IP. With this setup, he must install a second protocol.

I agree that a router is better. And if he keeps the present setup,
he absolutely must firewall the Internet connection on both computers
to block Internet hackers.
--
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

 

[Dark Phoenix]

Steve -

You said that:

"...can't share files and printers with each other using
TCP/IP. With this setup, he must install a second protocol..."

Well - what is the protocol and how do I set it up? Remember - I am totally
new to this...
So if you can either walk me through it step-by-step, or send me some info
on how to do it with the IPX/SPX as you suggested earlier?

Thanks

 

[Steve Winograd [MVP]]

Steve -

You said that:

"...can't share files and printers with each other using
TCP/IP. With this setup, he must install a second protocol..."

Well - what is the protocol and how do I set it up? Remember - I am totally
new to this...
So if you can either walk me through it step-by-step, or send me some info
on how to do it with the IPX/SPX as you suggested earlier?

Thanks

You're welcome, Phoenix.

The best solution, as both Carey Holzman and I have said, would be to
replace your Netgear FS105 switch with a broadband router, such as the
Netgear RP614 (http://www.netgear.com/products/details/RP614.php).
Your cable modem would connect to the router's WAN or Internet port,
and the computers would connect to the router's LAN ports.

Using a router instead of a switch has several advantages, including:

1. It acts as a firewall, protecting your computers from hackers on
the Internet and removing the need for a software firewall.

2. You would only need to get one IP address from your Internet
provider. If you're paying an extra monthly fee for a second IP
address, it would save money every month, and the router would quickly
pay for itself and more.

3. You could use TCP/IP as the only protocol on your network, for both
Internet access and File and Printer Sharing. There would be no need
for IPX/SPX.

4. It's much easier to set up than an Internet-connected network with
a switch.

There are many manufacturers and models of broadband routers, and
they're commonly available for less than $30 (sometimes much less) at
computer and office supply stores.

If you really, really want to keep your setup with the Netgear switch,
my web page on Windows XP Network Protocols shows how to do it:

http://www.practicallynetworked.com/sharing/xp/network_protocols.htm

See the section "IPX/SPX" for how to install the NWLink IPX/SPX
protocol. See the section "Un-Binding a Protocol" for how to un-bind
sharing from TCP/IP.

If you keep the switch you MUST use a software firewall on each
computer to keep Internet hackers out.
--
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