Re: Home Networking Confusion...

From: Steve Winograd [MVP] (winograd_at_pobox.com)
Date: 02/05/05 

Date: Fri, 04 Feb 2005 22:07:40 -0700

In article <#1PyP5zCFHA.3416@TK2MSFTNGP09.phx.gbl>, "Phoenix"
<anonymus@webmail.com> wrote:
>I am slightly confused about home networking...I don't know much about it in
>general - so I was hoping someone here can help me out with this...
>Here's the situation:
>
>2 PC's - Both have Windows XP Home (XPSP2).
>
>Broadband Connection.
>
>1 Netgear Fast Ethernet Switch / Model FS105
>
>1 PC has a Realtek RTL8139 Family PCI Fast Ethernet NIC.
>1 PC has a ADMtek AN986 USB To Fast Ethernet Converter.
>
>We both have connection to the net, but I have been trying to network our
>computers together for a while now, and I just can't get it to work.
>I have also been trying to setup the printers so that we can both print on
>the one printer -to no avail either.
>
>I have gone throught the Network Setup Wizard about a hundred different
>times...
>I am getting rather frustrated here...and am MORE than open to
>suggestions...
>
>Somebody - please help me out here!
>
>Thank You!

This answer applies to a setup, like yours, where the computers
connect to a cable modem or DSL modem through a hub or switch. It
doesn't apply if they connect through a broadband router.

Your network setup is described in the Windows XP Help and Support
program. Click Start | Help and Support, search for the topic
"Network configurations overview", and look at the section labeled
"Individual Internet connections".

The solution given there 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 with this setup:

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

2. Since your computers connect directly to the Internet through the
cable or DSL 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.

Be sure to enable XP's built-in firewall on both computers to protect
them from access by Internet hackers.

A much simpler setup would be possible if you removed the switch and
replaced it with a broadband router. You'd connect the cable modem or
DSL 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 two IP addresses.

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.
Microsoft Most Valuable Professional Program
http://mvp.support.microsoft.com

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