Networking - a whole lot more than just plugging in a network card.

In this issue, OVERVIEW, and NETBEUI, for windows PCs only.
Special notes regarding Win XP and NetBEUI

This forum is intended for WIRED networking only.

I'm setting up a basic home network, I have found lots of info on the internet, however it seems that they basically give you info in detail about specific things, but not a proper overview. It would certainly be difficult to use the info I have found so far as a guide. I would like this forum however to become that guide for others.

When this is forum has enough info for me to consider it complete, I will edit it into a document and upload it to Driverguide.

This forum is intended to help people who already have good skills at hardware installation, but have never set up a network before.

It would be great if people who have just set up their home or small office network would share what they have learned by posting on this forum.

My intended network:
*one laptop computer running win 98
*one desktop running win XP and having the modem, to be configured for internet connection sharing. This also has the printer.

I installed my network adapters and crossover cables, but could not get the two PC's to "talk" to each other, I found that the first thing to do was to set up NetBEUI protocol, then share the drives, then "map" the drives.

NOTE: If you have only 2 PCS connected to each other use a "crossover cable",
If you have more than 2 PCS you will need a hub, for this you will need regular "patch" cables.
There is an alternative to using a hub for more than 2 pcs, this is called network bridging. I Do not recommend it, and we will not cover it here.

What I have discovered so-far.
On windows there are 2 main network communications protocols, they are
1)NETBEUI (netbios extended user interface) easiest to set-up, and navigates by computer names and workgroup names, it will allow you to file/printer share, but not connect to the internet
2)TCP/IP (the most common protocol, which is used also by the internet, it uses IP addresses) it is more difficult to set up. This protocol is necessary if you want to use "internet connection sharing".


NETBEUI STEP 1
after you have this set up as a protocol on both computers (under control panel >network> add> etc), in order to get it operational you must select the files drives on your computer that you wish to share with the local network (these will not be shared to the internet) , right click (example) on C drive, click sharing, then set it as a shared drive named C.

NOTE: Regarding computer name,
the 2 (or more) computers must have different (computer)names, but must have thesame WORKGROUP name eg "Ms Home" etc, you can set this under control panel, network, identification.

Back to "map network drive"
NETBEUI STEP 2
You will need to "map" the network drive of the other pc(s) on your home network. This will enable a drive letter (example G) to appear on you windows explorer, this will infact be drive C of another computer on your network.

On the other computer select windows explorer,> tools, >map network drive.
and you will have a letter here, (refer above) most likely G.
Below this enter \\Other computers name\C , tick the box for re-connect at logon, then click ok.

You will need to do thesame on the other computer.
If you have more than 2 computers (well.....you can work it out)

after this is all complete you should be in business, you can now swap files between computers.

Note: If you only want to share one folder on a drive this is possible also, follow the instructions as per above, but navigate to just share that folder, then on the other PC, you will need to just map that folder
example \\Other computers name\C\folder

NOTE: If any of the PCS have windows XP these do not have NETBEUI as a selectable protocol, HOWEVER, you can install it manually
refer to :
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;301041

Well...thats as far as I got.... will keep you posted when I make more progress.



NEXT ISSUES
How to set up printer sharing
How to set up internet connection sharing using TCP/IP
How to remotely "wake up" another PC on your network if its in "sleep" mode.

The sponsored links are not from me, honest ;)

network internet computer modem cable pc's communications laptop printer business . haha

See !!

1. I installed my network adapters and crossover cables, but could not get the two PC's to "talk" to each other, I found that the first thing to do was to set up NetBEUI protocol, then share the drives, then "map" the drives.

NetNEUI should NOT be used for various reasions. while a simple no settings needed protocall it has varoius issues with todays operating systems

when connecting 2 (or more) systems using TCP/IP and no DHCP device you must MANUALLY enter the nessary settings in the TCP/IP stack

either use 10.10.1.x or 192.168.1.x and select a subnet of 255.255.255.0

Example PC#1 is set to 192.168.1.10 subnet as 255.255.255.0

PC#2 is set for 192.168.1.11 subnet as 255.255.255.0

DNS and gateway can be left blank as we are only connecting 2 computers with no internet and these values are only needed if conecting to the internet


to set the values click on START (lower Left) , settings, network connections. then networking and select your network card and right click on it which is usually in XP called "Local area networking"
now select TCP/IP and click on "properties" from the menu
click on Internet protocall (TCP/IP) and then the "properties" tab
check the "Use the following address" box and note that the greyed boxes are now available to enter in the computer's IP address (192.168.1.10 for one and 192.168.11 for the second system) both systems get 255.255.255.0

now both systems will talk to each other or as many as you want if using a HUB or Switch to add more systems.
common ones available from most computer sellers are in the 4/8 port range meaning you can connect up to as many systems as ports on the HUB/SWITCH

Note: direct connections between 2 systems require what is known as a CROSSOVER cable. if you do not have or can not buy such a cable then use two normal straight through cat-5 cables and a HUB or switch which will take care of the nessary wiring issues for you.

NetBEGUI is really only good for up to 5 systems or so due to it being quite bandwith intensive. in other words this protocall is like 10 people talking at once on a party phone line. (quite noisy and allways having to repeat yourself to be heard over everyone else) whereas TCP/IP will address it's requests directly to the intended recepiant instead of shouting to all who can hear. due to this it creats much less traffic and needs much less bandwith.


How to set up printer sharing with the printer on a XP system.

we will assume you have installed and "shared" the printer corectly.
(note: keep the printer share name at 8 chars or less)

XP unlike w9x is security aware and will not allow just anyone to use resources such as shared folders/drives/printers to unknown people.

a quick solution is to simply create on the XP system all user accounts who will be using the printer or create a "General" account and perhaps give it a password.

this usually works better than just using the predefined GUEST account
(read below)

now then a user tries to connect to the printer the Supply user name/password box will appear.

enter the user name/password (or the general username/password) and make sure the remember password box is ticked. now you have access to the printer and this "access password" will be remembered for future connections to the printer.

Last: when setting up the user accounts on XP for printing users you can select a Limited access right(s) setting that ONLY allows Printing rights instead of a general limited account such as the predefined GUEST account.

Nice post damien and nice thread....

I just wanted to explain the sponsored links to the thread starter.....

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