Re: Trying to Get My Home Network Back Up

From: Steve Winograd [MVP] (winograd_at_pobox.com)
Date: 11/07/04 

Date: Sat, 06 Nov 2004 21:37:57 -0700

In article <FE3E926A-E7EF-4CDA-9222-8DC968B74254@microsoft.com>,
"Greg" <Greg@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote:
>Steve,
>Thanks for geting back to me. I changed the NetBIOS from Default to "Always
>Use for TCP/IP" for both PCs.
>
>The info for the upstairs PC:
>IP Address: 69.141.87.188
>Subnet Mask: 255.255.254.0
>Default Gateway: 69.141.86.1
>DNS Servers: 68.87.64.196, 68.39.224.5, 68.39.224.6
>
>The info for the downstairs PC is completely different. The only thing that
>comes close is the subnet mask.
>
>It's strange about the MAC bridge. I had never seen it before. However,
>yesterday when I ran the Wizard again and chose residential gateway, this is
>what popped up. So I have three network connections, Dial-up, LAN and MAC
>Bridge Miniport. There is no info associated with the LAN, like there is
>with the upstairs PC. But the info is shown under the properties of the MAC
>bridge. The LAN connection says it is enabled and bridged. It also looks
>like packets are being sent but none received (from both the upstairs and
>downstairs PCs).
>
>Where do I turn next?
>
>Thanks again for your help.
>
>Take care.
>
>Greg

Right-click and delete the Network Bridge that the Wizard created.

The IP address that you list is a public IP address assigned by
Comcast. It's not one that would be assigned by a router (residential
gateway).

If the device that connects to your cable modem is a router, it's not
set up correctly. Connect the cable modem to the router's WAN or
Internet port. Connect the computers to the router's LAN ports.
Don't connect the cable modem to a LAN port.

If the device that connects to your cable modem is a hub or switch,
you need a different Wizard option and a completely different network
setup.

What is the make and model of the device?

If it's a hub or switch, the simplest solution is to replace it with a
router.

I've written a web page showing how to have Internet access and file
sharing on all of your computers through a hub or switch:

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

The essential steps are:

1. Install the NWLink IPX/SPX protocol for file sharing.
2. Disable file sharing on TCP/IP.
3. Enable a firewall to block access by other Internet users.

There are two reasons to use NWLink IPX/SPX instead of TCP/IP for file
sharing with a hub or switch:

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

2. Your computers receive public IP addresses that are accessible by
everyone on the Internet. Using TCP/IP for file sharing could let
other people access your computers.

Are you paying an extra monthly fee to Comcast for more than one IP
address? That's necessary if your network uses a hub or switch. It
isn't necessary if it uses a router, and you could save money by
canceling the extra IP addresses. 

-- 
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

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