Win XP + WOW cable modem + hub ?? sharing

[Phil Schuman]

I was over at fellow swim team member to review some software.
While I was there -
he mentioned that he can't get his 2 Windows XP computers
to see each other on his very basic local area network -

Ok - before you go thru the usual checklist points...
let me list them here - along with what I "observed" -

1) he has 2 computers running Win XP
2) both computers are connected to an Ethernet HUB (not router)
which in turn is ALSO connected to his cable modem
His service is - WideOpenWest in Naperville, IL
3) the computers use DHCP to get IP addresses from WOW
4) the firewalls and IP filtering in both is turned OFF (yeah, I know)
5) both computers have a folder or printer that is tagged for "sharing"
6) under net connections - properties - the MS file & print is
"checkmarked"
7) under TCP/IP / advanced / WINS / Netbios is enabled
8) under TCP/IP / advanced / Options / IP Filtering --> Permit ALL

Now for the interesting part -
Each computer works fine, and can get out to the Internet.
I can ping a remote site, but I can't ping the other computer ?
Here are the IP's :
#1 = 69.47.162.212 subnet = 255.255.240.0 GW = (not sure)
#2 = 69.47.138.168 subnet = 255.255.240.0 GW = 69.47.128.1

So - I'm wondering if WideOpenWest.com is blocking netbios over IP,
or doing something so that Pings and Netbios traffic don't go from one
user
to another user ?????

The interesting point is that each computer is on a different "subnet"
69.47.162.212 --> 69.47.160.1 thru 69.47.175.254
69.47.138.168 ---> 69.47.128.1 thru 69.47.143.254

I really need to go back and verify the Pings & Settings.

Any ideas what might be going on here -
or if WideOpenWest.com (WOW) is blocking or filtering traffic ?

 

[Steve Winograd [MVP]]

I was over at fellow swim team member to review some software.
While I was there -
he mentioned that he can't get his 2 Windows XP computers
to see each other on his very basic local area network -

Ok - before you go thru the usual checklist points...
let me list them here - along with what I "observed" -

1) he has 2 computers running Win XP
2) both computers are connected to an Ethernet HUB (not router)
which in turn is ALSO connected to his cable modem
His service is - WideOpenWest in Naperville, IL
3) the computers use DHCP to get IP addresses from WOW
4) the firewalls and IP filtering in both is turned OFF (yeah, I know)
5) both computers have a folder or printer that is tagged for "sharing"
6) under net connections - properties - the MS file & print is
"checkmarked"
7) under TCP/IP / advanced / WINS / Netbios is enabled
8) under TCP/IP / advanced / Options / IP Filtering --> Permit ALL

Now for the interesting part -
Each computer works fine, and can get out to the Internet.
I can ping a remote site, but I can't ping the other computer ?
Here are the IP's :
#1 = 69.47.162.212 subnet = 255.255.240.0 GW = (not sure)
#2 = 69.47.138.168 subnet = 255.255.240.0 GW = 69.47.128.1

So - I'm wondering if WideOpenWest.com is blocking netbios over IP,
or doing something so that Pings and Netbios traffic don't go from one
user
to another user ?????

The interesting point is that each computer is on a different "subnet"
69.47.162.212 --> 69.47.160.1 thru 69.47.175.254
69.47.138.168 ---> 69.47.128.1 thru 69.47.143.254

I really need to go back and verify the Pings & Settings.

Any ideas what might be going on here -
or if WideOpenWest.com (WOW) is blocking or filtering traffic ?

That's a very nice description of the setup and the problem, Phil.

If your friend is lucky, WOW is blocking traffic. Otherwise, everyone
on the Internet might be able to access his files and hack into his
computers.

Since his computers connect directly to the Internet and get public IP
addresses from WOW, it probably isn't safe to use TCP/IP for file and
printer sharing.

Your friend's network setup is described in the Windows XP Help and
Support program. Click Start | Help and Support, search for the topic
"Network configurations overview", and look at the section labeled
"Individual Internet connections".

The solution given there is to install the IPX/SPX protocol for file
sharing and to disable file sharing on TCP/IP. I've written a web
page showing how to do it:

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

Has he considered removing the hub and getting a broadband router? It
would have these advantages:

1. He'd only need to get one IP address from his cable modem provider,
which would save money if his ISP charges a monthly fee for more than
one IP address.

2. The broadband router would assign private IP addresses to his
computers. Private IP addresses aren't accessible by other Internet
users, so his network would be safe.

3. He could use TCP/IP as the only network protocol, with no need for
IPX/SPX.
--
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

 

[Phil Schuman]

I forgot how MS really messed up networking with XP -
I keep forgetting that XP's "IP filtering" only works on ports, etc,
and not on actually filtering IP addresses like with my Black Ice software.

Too bad - as XP forces you to have some external "firewall"
such as a NAT router or PC software firewall just to enable local networking
between home machines and do it all with TCP/IP -
Phil -

 

[Rev. Cyohtee - O'kôhome Ehohatse]

I forgot how MS really messed up networking with XP -
I keep forgetting that XP's "IP filtering" only works on ports, etc,
and not on actually filtering IP addresses like with my Black Ice software.

Too bad - as XP forces you to have some external "firewall"
such as a NAT router or PC software firewall just to enable local networking
between home machines and do it all with TCP/IP -
Phil -

Even then you can't see the other computers because TCP/IP is being
used for internet traffic. Unless you also enable NetBEUI you still
won't be able to see the other computers on your network.

 

[Steve Winograd [MVP]]

Even then you can't see the other computers because TCP/IP is being
used for internet traffic. Unless you also enable NetBEUI you still
won't be able to see the other computers on your network.

No, that's not right. Nothing in Windows networking requires NetBEUI.
NetBEUI is an un-supported protocol in Windows XP.

The vast majority of Windows networks can use TCP/IP as the only
network protocol, for both Internet access and file/printer sharing
with the other computers.

The unusual case that Phil described is an exception: when the
computers connect directly to the Internet (not through a broadband
router) and get public IP addresses. In that case, install IPX/SPX
and un-bind sharing from TCP/IP.

I've written a web page with full details:

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

 

[Phil Schuman]

Even then you can't see the other computers because TCP/IP is being
used for internet traffic. Unless you also enable NetBEUI you still
won't be able to see the other computers on your network.

hmm - not sure what you are referring to ???
Netbios is one computer sharing protocol,
and Netbeui was the MS transport protocol

TCP/IP is the transport protocol we are using,
and the Windows "sharing" protocol runs fine using ports 137, 138, 139 & 445
I'm sitting in my family room typing on my laptop with a wireless AP
upstairs, and I can see and access the other Windows computers around the
house.
I have blocked the MS ports on my router - nothing in or out -
but we can share files, and print to the printers upstairs just fine -
Phil -