Help me network w2Kpro pls

[Fern]

Have 3 older PCs in the home network. They are currently networked, with internet access under win98se.

I put another HDD with w2kpro (sp4) in all 3 PCs.

w2kpro is a lot different from 98se (plus I'm a HW enthusiest, not a SW guy), but by blundering around am having some success getting them to see each other and share files. Am having some trouble getting all to be able access the internet.

Been googling and reading for a couple of days but mostly just finding info for students to get on the University network etc, so I think some basic pointers from you guys w/b helpful.

For example, THIS MS support seems to talk about putiing 2 ethernet cards on the one PC? I don't get it?

TIA for any help, links etc,

Fern

 

[Markbnj]

You'd probably get more expert support on this in the networking forum, but I will take a shot.

Basic home network = two or more PCs connected by ethernet to a switch or hub, or alternatively two or more PCs connected to a wireless router. In this configuration you use Control Panel -> System -> Computer Name and assign all the computers to the same workgroup name. Just pick one, doesn't matter. You then set up shares and printers and whatnot.

Basic home network + Internet = the above plus a router/gateway that is connected to a cable modem, DSL modem, satellite link, whatever. Typically people buy a combined switch/router/gateway/wireless access point/firewall. They can be had for < $50. Our configuration here is probably typical. I have five PCs and a DLink wireless router. My PC is wired into the switch on the router with cat-5 ethernet. The other clients connect wirelessly. The router is connected to the cable modem. As far as Comcast is concerned the router is the connected PC in our home. It provides switching between machines on the local network, and routes packets to/from the Internet, as well as providing firewall capabilities for incoming/outgoing connections.

The bit about having two NICs in a PC has to do with what is called Internet Connection Sharing. Basically turn the PC into a router for those who don't want to buy a hardware router, or who are using dialup from one machine and want to connect others through it. Unless you are on dial-up don't bother with it; get a hardware router. Even if you are on dialup many of the inexpensive hardware routers have modems and can be configured to use a dial-up provider where there is no ethernet connection.

 

[Fern]

HI Mark,

Thanks for the response, and for clearing up that MS tech bulletin.

I've got all the HW, and am sure it is working properly. These are dual-boot PCs and all works great on the much simpler 98se.

I'm am having problems getting all the PC's to access the internet under w2kpro.

Under 98se each pc has an IP address, and the DNS server adresses, assigned to it. I tried doing the same under w2kpro and think that may be the problem. I'm wondering if I should elect that those be found automatically?

Also, does "Host" vs "Guest" have any effect?

TIA,

Fern

 

[Markbnj]

Yes, you should elect "Obtain an IP address for me automatically." This is english for "use DHCP", Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol, which is the mechanism by which the machines on your network ask the router (which is a DHCP server) for an IP address at startup.

Not sure what exactly "Host" vs. "guest" means, but I wouldn't worry about it for the moment. My advice in situations like this is to debug from the wall back. You have a good signal at the connection, cable modem connects and stabilizes, router connects and stabilizes, machines come up and get assigned a valid IP, you can ping the router (usually 192.168.0.1, or 192.168.1.1). Once all that is true then whatever else might be going wrong is almost certain to be a Windows configuration issue.

So to put it more diagnostically:

1. After power-up and self-test the cable modem's Cable light comes on and stays on.

2. After power-up and self-test the router's WAN light is on, and the Data light on the cable modem is blinking as the two converse.

3. After power-up and self-test the ipconfig command shows that your computer has been assigned an IP address in the 192.168.0.xxx range. Typing ping 192.168.0.1 at the command prompt results in four good replies. If this step fails type ipconfig /release, and then follow that with ipconfig /renew. See what happens and report the message you get back here in a reply. If you get a message about the DHCP server not responding follow the router mfg procedures to reset it to factory defaults and try again.

4. From the same window ping a well-known host outside your network. You should get four good replies. www.networksolutions.com returns pings, so you can try them.

5. If all that succeeds you should be able to open a browser window and load a page. Beyond that you'll need to mess around in Windows setting up shared folders and printers, and whatever.

 

[Fern]

Thanks Mark,

I can confirm the hardware is all functioning properly. I'll work on the other stuff this weekend. Hopefully I'll git r dun. If not I'll post back.

Thanks again,

Fern