Using netbeui for Home LAN

[Ezhik]

I have a small home network, 3 pcs all XP Pro SP2. Connected via a 4 port
wired router/modem and all is well, file and printer sharing and access to
WAN all working as expected.

I'm thinking of using NetBEUI instead of TCIP for the LAN, if I did so will
this mean I can disable NetBIOS for TCIP under the WINS setting? If so will
I also be able to completely block ports 137, 138, and 139 and still have
fully usable file and printer sharing?

If anyone else uses NetBEUI are there any othjer problems to look out for?
I know how to install the protocol in XP, and have read some theory, just
wondering how it works in practice.

Thanks for any comments.

 

[phoenix]

I have a small home network, 3 pcs all XP Pro SP2. Connected via a 4 port
wired router/modem and all is well, file and printer sharing and access to
WAN all working as expected.

I'm thinking of using NetBEUI instead of TCIP for the LAN, if I did so will
this mean I can disable NetBIOS for TCIP under the WINS setting? If so will
I also be able to completely block ports 137, 138, and 139 and still have
fully usable file and printer sharing?

If anyone else uses NetBEUI are there any othjer problems to look out for?
I know how to install the protocol in XP, and have read some theory, just
wondering how it works in practice.

Thanks for any comments.

IMO, it's a waste of time adding an extra protocol and as you're behind a
router you don't need the illusory protection of NetBEUI - it's also not
supported on XP although it does work. You can do all you need with TCP/IP,
why add the complication of NetBEUI?

Regards

Bill

 

[csull]

yes it works just fine...very simple to use....you can use a firewall such
as zone alarm and set your adapter to the internet zone on high security and
still have shares with netbeui.....definitely disable NetBIOS for TCIP....

 

[Greg R]

yes it works just fine...very simple to use....you can use a firewall such
as zone alarm and set your adapter to the internet zone on high security and
still have shares with netbeui.....definitely disable NetBIOS for TCIP....

How do you set the netbeui for networking two computers?

Greg R

 

[Steve Winograd [MVP]]

I have a small home network, 3 pcs all XP Pro SP2. Connected via a 4 port
wired router/modem and all is well, file and printer sharing and access to
WAN all working as expected.

I'm thinking of using NetBEUI instead of TCIP for the LAN, if I did so will
this mean I can disable NetBIOS for TCIP under the WINS setting? If so will
I also be able to completely block ports 137, 138, and 139 and still have
fully usable file and printer sharing?

If anyone else uses NetBEUI are there any othjer problems to look out for?
I know how to install the protocol in XP, and have read some theory, just
wondering how it works in practice.

Thanks for any comments.

Does your wired router/modem act as a firewall and assign private IP
addresses (such as 192.168.0.x) to your computers? If so, I see no
reason to use NetBEUI -- your computers are protected from Internet
hackers and their NetBIOS ports are inaccessible.

If you do use NetBEUI, follow the steps shown here to install NetBEUI
and to un-bind sharing from TCP/IP:

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

 

[John R Weiss]

I have a small home network, 3 pcs all XP Pro SP2. Connected via a 4 port
wired router/modem and all is well, file and printer sharing and access to
WAN all working as expected.

I'm thinking of using NetBEUI instead of TCIP for the LAN, if I did so will
this mean I can disable NetBIOS for TCIP under the WINS setting? If so will
I also be able to completely block ports 137, 138, and 139 and still have
fully usable file and printer sharing?

In practice NetBEUI is seamless, and may help resolve any number of
connection/configuration/access problems. I have put NetBEUI on my home LAN
ever since NT4 in 1997, since it was recommended to me by a professional network
guru as a "universal antidote" even with WFWG 3.11 nets.

OTOH, if "all is well," don't mess with success! The router will insulate you
from casual intrusions, and a software firewall on each computer will strengthen
your defenses.

However, you will probably need to use TCP/IP if you want Internet access via
the router.

 

[John R Weiss]

How do you set the netbeui for networking two computers?

Just install it on both computers. There are no configuration settings.

 

[Ezhik]

Thanks very much to everyone for all your comments, noted. I think I must
have too much time on my hands to look for an alternative way of doing
things. I thought it would be a more 'elegant' way to file share on LAN.
You are right that NAT and firewalls on each PC protect us from NetBIOS
harm...

I will give it ago and see what results I get, if it fails for some weird
reason, I can go back to where I was with not much reconfigeration.

So thanks again for the input and the links......time to to do a small
test.

Cheers!