bridging wireless and wired networks

[sarcasticone]

From searching around the internet I believe the title best describes what I'm trying to do.

First, I'd like to say I'm new to all this. This is my only my 3rd and 4th build and my first time working with a wireless network. So please bear with me for any question I may ask that may be a simple fix.

ok, onto my question.

I just built two new computers for my home. I put a Netgear wireless adapter (WG311T) into one of the computers and then hooked up a Netgear wireless router (WGT624) to my cable modem. I wired in my other computer to the WGT624.

I got the wireless computer setup on the internet and everything is running great with that. I have the security settings all changed to help protect my signal.

Now I'm trying to get the computers to communicate so I can do file/printer sharing. That and I've been thinking of maybe connecting an external networked harddrive to use to backup the files on both computers.

My problem is I have no clue on how to do this. I've been searching all over the internet for some info on how to do this but everything I find is just basic descriptions on the different ways of connecting computers.

Is this a simple setup with the equipment I already have or do I need to purchase some other hardware or software to achive this setup?

Are there any instructions on how to set this type of a network up? Links or any info would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

 

[evilspoons]

As long as both computers are connected to the same router (eventually, even... your wired computers could be on a switch or whatnot) you should be able to communicate with one another. Enable file and print sharing on both computers and make sure the firewalls set up on them are set up to allow the file and print sharing system access to the network (i.e. are not blocked).

However, be aware that this is a security risk due to the wireless connection, so do not share anything with write-access that someone may be able to damage, etc etc.

 

[JackMDS]

Welcome to AT Network Forum.

Log to this page it has a lot of links to instructions to Windows Network Settings, and Sharing, Windows Network - Installing & Sharing.

:sun:

 

[sarcasticone]

Originally posted by: evilspoons
However, be aware that this is a security risk due to the wireless connection, so do not share anything with write-access that someone may be able to damage, etc etc.

so even if I'm not broadcasting my signal and I have my security settings all changed I'm still at risk?

When you say not to share anything with write-access, is this a setting I can change? Like the file has write-access as a default and I can change it to something else? Sorry, just don't want to do something that can hurt me.

I have already allowed file sharing on both, I'll have to check the firewall to make sure it's not blocked.

Thanks for the reply.

edit:
ok, I think I asnwered one of my questions. I was looking around the Micrsoft website and found an article describing the different levels of file sharing and how to change the settings.

Also, I'm using McAfee virus scan and firewall. When you mentioned to make sure the firewalls are allowing file sharing. I was looking through my firewall settings and didn't see anything about file sharing being blocked but I found an option that allows me to open certain System Service ports. Should I have the Windows File Sharing (NETBIOS) option checked? If it's not, does that mean it's not allowing files to be shared?

 

[sarcasticone]

Originally posted by: JackMDS
Welcome to AT Network Forum.

Log to this page it has a lot of links to instructions to Windows Network Settings, and Sharing, Windows Network - Installing & Sharing.

:sun:

Thank you, someone recommended I check this site out. I've been on here reading things for about a months or so. A lot of good info. But I couldn't find the answer to my question so I decided to sign up.

I found that site in my Google searches but couldn't find much. I'll try again, I'm sure I just didn't search for the right thing or I just plain missed it.

Thanks

 

[sarcasticone]

ok, I've been looking on that site with little luck. It does have some general descriptions and guides but since I'm new to this it's just to vague. A couple articles say to disable this and enable that, but I have no clue on how to get to where I can disable/enable most options.

I know some of these terms are second nature to some of you but I don't know them yet, so please bear with me.

I went onto the Netgear site and found this article.
Using WGT624 Router as an Access Point
Is this the only way of doing this? I know I read something on that other site about "hooking up the second router to the access point" but I didn't understand what they were talking about until I saw this article, now I can't find where I read it on the other site.

Sorry for all the questions but your replies are appreciated.

Thanks

 

[JackMDS]

May be you would consider one or two short specific questions that define the current problem.

If it is File Sharing, the link in my post above contains almost every thing that can be said about Fie Sharing with Windows peer-to-peer Network.

If your Sharing Setting is working and you would like a Network Connected Backup Hard Drive this might help, http://www.ezlan.net/nas.html]Network Attached Storage (NAS) for Home/SOHO Networks.[/URL]

:sun:

 

[Zap]

Originally posted by: sarcasticone
Now I'm trying to get the computers to communicate so I can do file/printer sharing. That and I've been thinking of maybe connecting an external networked harddrive to use to backup the files on both computers.

I'm assuming that both computers are using WinXP and both can browse web pages just fine...

1) If using the Windows SP2 firewall, set up an "exception" to allow file/print sharing. Click on Start, click on Settings, click on Control Panel, click on Network Connections. You need the Properties page for the Local Area Connection or Wireless Connection (depending on which computer you are at). Typical way to get Properties is to right-click on the icon for the menu, and click Properties (last menu item). When the Properties window comes up, click on the Advanced tab. You should have a Settings button to click on. Once in the Windows Firewall screen, click on the Exceptions tab and make sure there is a check in the box next to File and Printer Sharing.

2) Share something. To do that, browse to whatever it is you want to share. If it is a folder, find it in My Computer, right click on it, click on the Sharing menu item and read the resulting page for directions (I usually just go "just enable..."). If a printer, go to Control Panel, Printers, then right-click, Sharing, etc.

3) You'll need to know your computer's network name (and perhaps change it to a simpler one). Go to System Properties (hold down the "windows" key, press the Pause/Break key). Click on the Computer Name tab. Note down the "Full computer name." You can ignore the period at the end of it. Typically it is the name you entered in when you set up Windows, followed by a dash and a bunch of numbers - for instance if you used "sarcasticone" as your "registered to" name in Windows, your computer network name would be something like "sarcasticone-271538." That's really irritating to remember, so you can change it by clicking on the Change button. The Workgroup doesn't matter much, perhaps just making sure the two computers have the same thing typed in. The Computer name should be changed to something simpler, such as "sarcasticone" and "sarcastictwo" for the two computers.

4) Find the shared resource from other computer. I have an EASY way to do that after you know your computer network name. Click on Start and click on Run (alternately, hold down the "Windows" key and press the letter "R"). Type in two backslashes followed by the computer name without any spaces, and press Enter. For instance, if you were on sarcasticone, type in \\sarcastictwo and after a moment you will get a window showing everything shared on two. Just double click on something to access it. The first time you access a printer, you'll be asked if you want to copy over required files - just answer yes, then the printer will become available to any software on your system (as long as other computer and printer is on).

 

[sarcasticone]

Originally posted by: JackMDS
May be you would consider one or two short specific questions that define the current problem.

your right, I'm sorry for any confusion I may have caused. I kinda threw a lot out there at one time without being real specific.

Here's what I'm looking for...
I would like simple (as much as possible) instructions on what I need to do to share files/printers between a wired computer and a wireless computer. Both computers are using XP Pro and can connect to the internet just fine. I'm also using a Netgear WG311T wireless card and a Netgear WGT624 wireless router.

I went back to that site again and did find an article that I'll try when I get home from work.

Also, thank you for that link on NAS. I'm sure that come in handy a little later down the road.

 

[sarcasticone]

Zap

Thanks you for the write-up. Thats exactly what I'm looking for.

I am running XP Pro on both computers and they can both access and browse the internet just fine.

I understand what your saying, just one small problem... I'm not using Windows Firewall, I'm using McAfee Firewall.

What would need to be done different with McAfee Firewall to do the same thing you described with Windows Firewall?

I was looking through the options in the McAfee Firewall and I found a section called "System Services". In there, there were options like....
-File Transfer Protocol (FTP) Ports 20-21
-Web Server (HTTP) Port 80
-Windows File Sharing (NETBOIS) Ports 137-139
just to name a few.

All the options have boxes next to them where I can check, is this where I need to allow the file/printer sharing by selecting the "Windows File Sharing (NETBIOS) Ports 137-139? Or am I in the wrong area?

Thanks for the replies.

 

[Zap]

Originally posted by: sarcasticone
What would need to be done different with McAfee Firewall to do the same thing you described with Windows Firewall?

All the options have boxes next to them where I can check, is this where I need to allow the file/printer sharing by selecting the "Windows File Sharing (NETBIOS) Ports 137-139?

That sounds about right. I do not use McAfee Firewall so I can't check. I also never use the Windows Firewall, but it's kinda already on the system so I could double check what I wrote.

 

[sarcasticone]

ok, great, thanks.

I just got home from work so I can go ahead and try to get this working.

 

[sarcasticone]

Thanks for everyones help.

Once I clicked on the "Windows File Sharing" option in McAfee Firewall everything was up and running. I knew it would be something simple like this, makes me sorta stupid. But oh well, I learned something.

I also went into the "Sharing and Security" options of the shared folders and disabled the option to "Allow network users to change my files". It is to my understanding that this will take away write-access from people on the network. Will this protect my shared files or is there something I should do?

Thanks again for everyones help.