networking 2 xp computers

  • Thread starter Thread starter jera
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jera

I have a cable connection that gives me two ip addresses.
I have no problems getting onto the internet however, I
do have problems accessing and seeing each computer in
the network. Each computer has a unique name and they are
both in the same workgroup. I believe the problem is that
they have different ip addresses. For example one is
69.68.220.184 with a subnet of 255.255.254.0 and the
other is 69.169.108.56 with a subnet of 255.255.255.0.
Now if this is the problem, which I think it is, how
would I go about fixing this?


Thanks,

Jera
 
"jera" said:
I have a cable connection that gives me two ip addresses.
I have no problems getting onto the internet however, I
do have problems accessing and seeing each computer in
the network. Each computer has a unique name and they are
both in the same workgroup. I believe the problem is that
they have different ip addresses. For example one is
69.68.220.184 with a subnet of 255.255.254.0 and the
other is 69.169.108.56 with a subnet of 255.255.255.0.
Now if this is the problem, which I think it is, how
would I go about fixing this?

Thanks,

Jera
Click to expand...

Two computers will always have different IP addresses. Your computers
can't see each other because the IP addresses that your cable ISP
assigned to them are in different subnets.

The solution 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

There are two reasons to use IPX/SPX instead of TCP/IP for file
sharing:

1. Since their IP addresses in different subnets, it isn't possible
for your computers to communicate with each other using TCP/IP.

2. Since your computers connect directly to the Internet through the
cable modem, they receive public IP addresses that are accessible by
everyone on the Internet. Using TCP/IP for file sharing could let
other people access your shared files.

Another alternative would be to get a broadband router, connect the
cable modem to its WAN port, and connect the computers to its LAN
ports. In that case:

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

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

3. You 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.

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