Two suggestions for newbee's

[AlwaysUp]

I have a couple suggestions for those new to networking that I just thought I'd offer up. Before I put these two suggestions out there, answer this for yourself. "Why do I want to network?"
There are many excellent reasons to do so, but IMHO many undertake setting up a network to end up not, a) realizing the costs or overhead to implement a network and b)evaluating weather the cost rises to the need. There are many method choices to make, ranging from adequate to ridiculeous overkill. That said, here are the two suggestions.
1) Do yourself a huge favor and do a little research first. There are many sites that will give you great guidance in determining your options, not least of which are articles within this site. One place that does an admirable job of explaining setting up a network AND explaining the importance of network security is GRC.com. This is Gibson Research. The following link if read, and reread in my case; does two things. Explains in down to earth language "How To" AND possibly more important, "Why" network configuration is key to network integrity and security. http://grc.com/su-bondage.htm
This article and instructions formed a working knowledge of the how's and why's for me and I am convinced it will and has for others.
2) Second suggestion is DON'T freak. Panicky people posting questions marked "Urgent" usually require allot of effort to get them to slow down and articulate exactly what problem they are experiencing. New posts should be thorough and filled with enough pertinent background info, so as to assist knowledgable experienced Forum members to get right to helping you resolve a problem.

I hope these suggestions are taken in the context that it was given in and in someway makes your venture into networking more satisfying.

[glc]

Excellent advice. I'm gonna stick this one up top.

[Floppyman]

Indeed, I agree. Here's a great site to check out for home networking:

http://www.homenethelp.com/

[DrZaius]

And another good one.

http://www.practicallynetworked.com/

[404]

Great! Love the info! Bookmarked them all!

I would like to get some opinions on which broadband routers ( I think that is what I need) and wireless notebook adapter are really the best performance.
I can't tell with all of them saying they are the best and so on. any sugestions would be appreciated!


I am setting up a home network to share broadband conection between 2 computers. 1 desk top 1 laptop.

[David_Jones]

Hi 404,

I can't help directly - don't have broadband at home, but I suggest you start a new thread to get responses - it is hidden away here and won't get much coverage.

HTH,

David.

[reboot]

One thing that most everyone forgets when networking, especially with XP.
Make sure that NetBIOS over TCP/IP is ENABLED!

[AlwaysUp]

Reboot, is that really necessary if you are behind a router, i.e. NAT?

[TysonTY1]

Should not be necessary if all your machines are NT or XP

[TysonTY1]

Sorry, should not be needed of your PC's are running XP or WIN 2k.
Windows 2000 uses NetBIOS over TCP/IP to communicate with earlier Windows platforms, such as Windows NT and Windows 9x.
You can auctually disable NetBIOS over TCP/IP and force the Windows 2000 client to use DNS to improve network performance if all the network computers to which the computer needs to connect are running Windows 2000 or later.

[piasabird]

With XP and a Linksys Router I just selected the netwrok wizard and it set it up correctly when I selected I get access from a LAN. XP basically figures out what you need. You still have to enter the workgroup name.

[kram 2.0]

Hey, I just got my Netgear wireless router that looks like this:

Netgear Model MR814 802.11b Cable/DSL Wireless Router
and thinking of making it able to share printer - a multifunctional printer. I got the software installed onto the computers. I installed the router without the software - I think manually/ XP automatic Wi-Fi 802.11b detection. I have four computers - an XPpro laptop, another XPpro laptop, 98SE laptop, 2000 laptop and maybe another XP Pro soon to come. Can you help me with this?

Thanks-
kram

[Garcher]

Hey 404,,
I use all Linksys products for my wireless network and have had no troubles at all. I have 3 computers hard wired to the router (BEFW11S4 V.2), 3 notebook coneccted with WPC11 v.3, and 3 desktops connected wireless with WPC11 V.3 and adapters. Also on the network I have 2 ReplayTV boxes using WET11, which are Ethernet Bridges. Everything works great and was easy to set up.

[cdnref]

SO uh...I got a really stupid question! All I want to do is have 2 computers hooked up to play games against each other. Can't I just connect them by a cat5 cable and that is my lan or do I have to screw around with the computers settings?

[bigandy]

Great thread here guys, has just helped me out a bunch! I don't visit this part of the Forums often and since I'm going to be setting up DSL for somebody in the next couple of days, I figured I'd check out this forum.

And what a coincidence that this thread was started on my birthday (Feb. 22).

[Carpedebass]

Hi everyone. I am new to this site, but am very impressed with the threads I see so far. I know just enough about this stuff to get myself in trouble, but am learning every day. One thing I might add to your list of suggestions, if I may...
I just set up my first home network. I am running 4 PCs with XP Pro through a Linksys wired router and DSL modem. It took me three weeks to finally get everything up and running when it should have only taken one day. The problem I had was that none of the machines would "see" each other. The culprit was one of my firewalls. I eventually had to uninstall one particular firewall and then reinstall after the network was configured. If you run into similar circumstances, be sure not to forget about any firewalls you may have installed.

[TANSY]

Originally posted by cdnref SO uh...I got a really stupid question! All I want to do is have 2 computers hooked up to play games against each other. Can't I just connect them by a cat5 cable and that is my lan or do I have to screw around with the computers settings?

Hi EVERYONE, I would also like to connect 2 PCs. I have just ordered a new machine because my old one is a little short on hard disc space,and only 400 proccesor and has no usb ports. windows 98. I was hoping to be able to just connect them both together and transfer information from one to the other and also connect both to my broadband modem. I have Win 98 on CD from my old machine can I instal this on my new one. Thank you in advance, you have a great forum here, most is over my head but I still pick up quite a lot of useful stuff Tansy (UK)

[AlwaysUp]

Tansy, Not legally, no. Not if you intend to leave the Win98 on the old box, too. You need to get a liscensed Full version OS to put on your new PC. Did your ordered PC not come with an Operating system? It should have, unless you purchased it specifically without an OS.

[TANSY]

Thank you AlwaysUp, I thought it was ok if you kept both pcs, any ideas about connecting them together? Tansy

[AlwaysUp]

There are several different ways to do this, but I guess the most simple form of network can be accomplished by having network interface cards, NIC's in each machine. Good 10/100 NIC's can be had pretty cheap. Brands to look for are Netgear, DLink or Linksys. 3Com is also a good brand but usually a little more expensive. Any will do. Once the two NIC's are installed you have to decide if you want to direct wire them or utilize a hub or even a router if you're not on a shoestring, good routers offer some unique advantages but a 4port hub should do you nicely. If you decide to just direct wire them you must be sure that instead of getting Cat5 network cable that most retail shops offer, you need to make sure that you get cross-over cable. Find a knowledgable clerk and explain what you are attempting to do and he should be familiar with cross-over cable. Then it is a matter of setting up your network and there are allot of us here willing to stepby-step you.

[AlwaysUp]

In increasing order of expense the three options I speak of are:
2 NIC's and Direct cross-over cabling least expense
2NICs+4port network hub+Cat5 cable (good compromise)
2 NIC's+4port router+Cat5 cable most expense
(but best and most flexible)

[cdnref]

Hey, AU. Tonight I was reading the article in the 'Mech on Networking. I have managed to get my laptop and the PC downstairs to share a printer and files. First Try may I add. My question for you and anyone else reading..is.
I have a DSL modem and I have asked for a 4 port ethernet router for Christmas. How do I go about keeping the two computers "seeing each other" and share a internet connection as well?

Thanks for your help!

Andy

[TANSY]

AlwaysUp, thanks once again will probably go for the direct cross-over option when I get the new pc sorted. Tansy

[AlwaysUp]

cdnref, When you get your 4port router it is not difficult at all to do this if you follow the installation guide that comes with your router. How are you presently connecting the desktop and laptop? What Operating systems are you running on each PC?

[cdnref]

I have a Cat5 cable running directly to each pc. I have Win XP Home on the laptop and win 98 on the PC. I have built a PC for my Dad for X-Mas which is running Win 2k Pro.

But for internet use we already have a DSL. We just take out the Cat 5 cable which correspondes with the computer.

[Wonderer]

Always Up
I hate to be a pest, especially in view of all the posts giving advice on setting up a home network, but I’ve now all but given up and considering forgetting the idea altogether or calling in someone to do the job for me – but I don’t really want to do this.
Anyway, my issue is that I wanted to network 2 PCs to share a Cable Broadband connection.
Both machines are running Windows 98SE.
Both machines have an Ethernet card.
I have purchased a, probably generic, Mentor SOHO size ADSL Router.
TCP/IP seems to be installed OK.
Router little instruction book describes how to connect the cables/PC/modem then how to reset then setup the router. However when the cables are connected no connection can be made with the internet even to the described url(http://192.168.1.1) so setup cannot be carried out.
When cables are connected lights seem ok?Power-solid green,System-blinking steadily green,Lan lights – steady green,LinkACT – faint flicker.
I have queried with the supplier that the correct cables have been given.
My connection is supplied via Cable Telewest Blueyonder(UK) and have registered the MAC address of the router with them(I thought – the one on the bottom of the router?) but the service support chaps suggested that there may be another MAC address with the router(‘course I can’t find this until I can connect???)
I have been told that for internet connection sharing little needs to be done other than what I thought I had and I’m am now totally baffled – also cheesed off having by now had to call the service lines to get back up from playing about too much with ICS etc when I didn’t really know what I was doing.
I don’t know if I given you enough information but can you help??
Thanks
Dan

[AlwaysUp]

Dan, there is no need to utilize Internet connection sharing feature at all when you use the router as an internet gateway for your network. Have you enabled ICS in NN? If not, DON'T!

[AlwaysUp]

Gotta gfot to work but I'll check back when I get home.AU

[AlwaysUp]

"gfot"? Replace with "go off"

[Wonderer]

Thanks just now AU. - No, ICS not enabled.(was playing about with it initially having been reading some other posts, thinking it had something to do with my problem)Look forward to your further advices. Have a nice work shift - I think it's time for me to 'gfot' to bed.
Dan