Beginner to Networking

  • Thread starter Thread starter Dick T.
  • Start date Start date
D

Dick T.

I'm retiring from my company and in the process of setting up a 3 computer
network in my home. I have a college student (son of a friend) who knows
networking and is willing to help me set up the network for a fee. The
Internet connection (cable) is already set up and shared between the 3
computers. My wife and I will be the only 2 people using the network.

He wants me to tell him how I want him to set up the files and folders, map
the network drives, etc. I also have 2 printers, a scanner and a DVD writer
I want to share among the 3 computers. I know the whole point of having a
network is to share files, folders and peripherals. Can someone tell me what
traditional method is used to share files and folders?

I want to get started on the right foot but the only thing I know for sure
is that I want to share the My Pictures folder and that one computer will be
set up as a combined file and print server. Thanks a lot for any
suggestions. If I left anything out, please let me know and I will reply
promptly. Thanks again, I can't wait to get started!
 
quoted from http://www25.brinkster.com/ChicagoTech
How to Setup A Windows Peer to Peer Network
Concept and Requirement
Win9x Setup
Win2k/XP Setup
Test

Concept and Requirement

Hardware

1. NIC - each networking computer needs a network adapter to communicate
with others.
2. Hub or router - if you want to connect more than two machines and access
the Internet, it is better to have a router to offer DHCP feature, easy
setup and manage, and protect your computers.
3. Cable or crossover cable - if you have only computers and save some
money, you can have a crossover cable to connect those machines directly.

Configuration

1. Workgroup - it is better to setup a same workgroup on all computers
2. Client for MS Network - must be enabled to access the network
3. File and Printer Sharing - accessed computer should enable the File and
Printer Sharing for other computers accessing
4. User Accounts - for users logon and setup permission
5. Permission - setup necessary permission for users to access network
resources
6. Protocol - TCP/IP is we want

We assume you have all computers physically connected to a router which is
connecting to the Internet. The router is also a DHCP server.

Win9x Setup

To check or setup your network, open Control Panel>Network. Under
Configuration tab, you should have Client for MS Networks, NIC, TCP/IP and
perhaps File and Printer sharing for MS Networks. If you do not have click
Add and then follow the instruction to install them. Also make sure you
select Client for MS Networks as Primary Logon Network.

Now, double-click TCP/IP to check the TCP/IP settings. Normally, you should
keep the default settings: Obtain a IP Address Automatically, no WINS,
Gateway and DNS setting. This means all computers will get IP, DNS and
Gateway from the router as the DHCP server.

Click Identification tab, type a unique name for each computer and the same
group name for all computers.

If you want other machines access data or/and printer on this win9x, enable
file and printer sharing, and right-click the folders you want to share.
Following the instruction to finish the sharing.

Win2k/XP Setup

You will do the same network settings on win2k/XP by going to My Network
Places. The differences are 1) you may want to check NetBIOS over TCP/IP by
going to Properties of TCP/IP>Advanced. 2) If you have a laptop using at
home and work, and you also want to have same peer-to-peer workgroup name as
the same your company's domain, you should install the domain name as the
workgroup name at home, then join the laptop to the domain (have your
company administrator do that for you). 3) you need to create user accounts
for each user logging on the network and access the resources. To do that,
right-click My Computer>Manager>Local users and groups. This is very
important step. 4) after creating all user accounts, you need to assign
necessary permission for each user to access the computer. 4) if you this
machine access both home and domain network, you are better to create one
local logon matching the domain logon and also the password should be the
same.

Test

Now, it is the time to test your network settings. After reboot all
computers, logon the user name you created in win2k (it is easy for sharing
if you use just the same logon name on both win98 and win2k). Open My
Neighborhood and My Network Places to check the sharing folders and
printers.

--
For more and other information, go to
http://www25.brinkster.com/ChicagoTech

Don't send e-mail or reply to me except you need consulting services.
Posting on MS newsgroup will benefit all readers and you may get more help.

Robert Lin, MS-MVP, MCSE & CNE
Windows & Network Support, Tips and FAQs on
http://www25.brinkster.com/ChicagoTech
This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties.
 
1. sharing the scanner and DVD-burner will cause many headaches and I dont
recommend it.
2. Yes you can share any folder and/or files.
a. sharing a folder is as simple as right clicking on it 'sharing and
security' and setting the permissions you want. Since you have
someone to help you out I'm sure he can show you and explain it so it makes
more sense then just reading it from us.
 
"Dick T." said:
I'm retiring from my company and in the process of setting up a 3 computer
network in my home. I have a college student (son of a friend) who knows
networking and is willing to help me set up the network for a fee. The
Internet connection (cable) is already set up and shared between the 3
computers. My wife and I will be the only 2 people using the network.

He wants me to tell him how I want him to set up the files and folders, map
the network drives, etc. I also have 2 printers, a scanner and a DVD writer
I want to share among the 3 computers. I know the whole point of having a
network is to share files, folders and peripherals. Can someone tell me what
traditional method is used to share files and folders?

I want to get started on the right foot but the only thing I know for sure
is that I want to share the My Pictures folder and that one computer will be
set up as a combined file and print server. Thanks a lot for any
suggestions. If I left anything out, please let me know and I will reply
promptly. Thanks again, I can't wait to get started!
Click to expand...

Run XP's Network Setup Wizard on each computer. It will automatically
make the necessary network settings and configure the printers to be
shared.

Scanner sharing is only possible if the scanner manufacturer provides
software for that purpose. Windows itself doesn't have a scanner
sharing capability. Scan images into a shared folder on that computer
so that you can access them from the other computers.

DVD writing is probably only possible from the local hard disk of the
computer that has the DVD writer. A network connection to another
computer can't provide data fast enough to keep the DVD writer happy.

You don't need mapped network drives on a small home network. Share
the desired disks and folders (e.g. My Pictures) and access them
through My Network Places on the other computers.

Disable XP's Internet Connection Firewall on each computer's local
area network connection. If one of the computers connects directly to
the cable modem and uses Internet Connection Sharing to share it with
the others, enable the Internet Connection Firewall on that computer's
cable modem connection.
--
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
 
Thanks for the tips. I wouldn't have thought of sharing a Scanned Pictures
folder. You mentioned that I "don't need mapped network drives on a small
home network".
Right now one of my programs is opening directly to my C: Drive. Is there a
way to get it to open to My Documents? I thought to do that the network
drive had to be mapped.
 
"Dick T." said:
Thanks for the tips. I wouldn't have thought of sharing a Scanned Pictures
folder. You mentioned that I "don't need mapped network drives on a small
home network".
Right now one of my programs is opening directly to my C: Drive. Is there a
way to get it to open to My Documents? I thought to do that the network
drive had to be mapped.
Click to expand...

I'm sorry, but I don't understand the question.
--
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
 
Back
Top