Setting Up Basic Network

[f1br0pt1kl]

Ok, I just got a switch and want to set a network up!

I have two computer, and a cable modem.

The first computer is an Intel Pentium 3 650, 128MB RAM, 40GB.

The second computer is an Intel Pentium 3 600, 128MB RAM, 30GB.

I have a Com21 Cable Modem, from Charter.

Where do I start? I plug my cable modem into the Port 1, and the First Computer into Port 2, and the Second Computer into Port 3.

Though what do I need to setup? I want to have internet access, file, and printer sharing.

It's a Netgear FS-105 5 Port Switch.....

 

[TBP]

This way you can do file, printer sharing but never be able to connect to the internet. Depends on OS, setup a LAN can be trivial (or headache).

You need a router for cable internet, or connect one of your PIIIs to the cable modem.

 

[Shukla]

Is one of the ports listed as "Uplink"? This should be connected to the cable modem.

Pick any of the other 2 ports for the individual machines.

Assuming you have Win98? (If you have Win95; upgrade to 98SE, or install up to Dial Up Networking 1.3):

Go into the Network properties (right mouse click Network Neighborhood). Make sure "File and Print Sharing" is listed. If not, select add, dialog box should open. Select Microsoft, then you should see File & print.... on the right. Select this and hit ok. Let the installation occur. Repeat on other computer.

In the Network properties window, select the "identification tab". Assign each computer a different name. Assign each the SAME workgroup.

Now, reboot both. Once you've rebooted. Go to the "My computer", RIGHT mouse click "C drive". You should see "Sharing" select this. Now, you can set it for full share, read only etc...

BTW: This will share your entire Hard Drive. You can do the same for an individual folder instead of "C drive" above.

To test the network, run winipcfg( start->run->"winipcfg.exe&quot on both machines. Get the ip address for one of the machines. On the other machine, get a dos prompt. Type "ping" ip address for the first machine. Like "Ping 192.174.222.01". If you get a no response, than the network is not correct and you have to manually assign an ip address for each computer (Network properties).

In TCP/IP settings in Network properties for the network card, setup one machine as a specific IP address, rather than obtain automatically. The address for one machine should be like: 192.168.0.1, 192.168.0.2 for the second. Both should be setup to the same gateway: 255.255.255.0.

Where's the printer going to be? Assuming it's attached to one of the machines.....
Printer share: go to Start->Settings->Printers (on the remote computer)
Add Printer select Network, there's a browse feature. If the network setup went ok, you should see the other machine and just select it. It should autofind the type of printer.

 

[f1br0pt1kl]

Yes, there is an uplink port. I thought it was for connecting hubs to other hubs...or so forth...

Ok, thanks. I just need to get my OTHER computer up first until it becomes of any use.

 

[f1br0pt1kl]

It is different in W2K....

Any help?

 

[ncogngro]

With win2k, the setup will be automatic. I have the same setup, just make sure that the nic has the right driver and that the protocals are correct.

 

[Rio Rebel]

You missed the most important piece of info so far, by TBP:

You need a router for cable internet.

You either need a router, or you'll need to install two network cards into one of the computers (difficult and often slows down the computer, but cheap). I recommend the router, since they can be had for under $100.

The only other option is to pay for multiple IP addresses from the cable company...one for each computer you want to connect.

Here's the problem - you are trying to operate a small network but also have the ability to connect to a different network (your cable modem connection, which gives you net access). You have to remember that the cable modem provides you access to a network so that you can access the internet. That being so, you have a problem - something has to be able to act as a member of BOTH networks at the same time (your local network, AND the network that the cable modem accesses). One computer with one network card cannot do this. Each network card can only handle the settings for one network at a time...it can't act as a member of multiple networks at the same time.

SO...you need something to act as a "double agent" - a member of your local network, yet at the same time a member of a different network (the cable access). Hence either two NIC's in the same computer, or a router.

Good luck.