NetBeui questions. (Use with Ethernet, HomePNA, and wireless LAN)

[Eug]

OK, I couldn't get my file shares working with a friend's laptop without installing NetBeui. I only did that because I didn't want to mess too much with his LAN settings and NetBeui seemed to work fine.

Some questions.

1) Since NetBeui broadcasts everywhere, does it essentially defeat much of the purpose of a my Linksys router's ports? (Not that it would make a huge difference, since I'd only have at most 3 computers.)

2) I know NetBeui doesn't like routers, but can it cross a simple bridge? I want to run HomePNA for my laptop. Both my serving PC and my laptop will be behind the router. However, between the laptop and the router will be my Ethernet-->HomePNA bridge.

3) If I map the desktop drives on the laptop, will I need to remap it when I switch to LAN mode from HomePNA mode? When I'm in my home office, I'd just plug my laptop directly into the router. If I'm anywhere else in my house then I'd just plug into a phone jack. Hopefully I will have to change no networking card settings, because the PCMCIA card I bought for the laptop is doing both the Ethernet and the HomePNA, and is supposed to auto sense which is which. (It's the Linksys HomePNA Ethernet combo PC card. It does seem to work, at least for sensing Ethernet on my friend's computer.)

4) Is it safe to assume NetBeui won't work over an Ethernet-->wireless bridge? I say this because the 802.11b bridges by design function as mini-routers.

5) Are there significant security issues with NetBeui? If I set the permissions properly with the shares should I be OK? I'll try to figure out how to set up the logins soon enough.

6) What does it mean to have both TCP/IP and NetBeui active in the settings? Which takes precidence or do they work together?

I don't get my laptop until this week but I want to set the thing up properly. I don't want to have to go through everything again when I buy the HomePNA bridge (in a couple of weeks), or if I get a wireless setup (perhaps in a few months).


EDIT:

Oh yeah, since I'm behind the router, do I still need to unbind TCP/IP from the Microsoft File/printer sharing Client? If so, how do I do that in Windows 2000? I only see tutorials for Windows 95/98.

 

[Norssak]

1)Yes, Since Netbeui always broadcasts you loose the advantage which a switch offers, and no you wouldn't know the difference just looking at it.

2)Yes Netbuie can cross a bridge, bridges propagate broadcasts.

3)Don't know, try it

4)If it is a bridgeing device as you said earlier, it should work

5)Netbeui is in a way more secure than TCP/IP, as there is no way for anyone to get anything past your router on that protocol, but unless you unbind TCP/IP, it still offers a slim vulnerability to exactly the same resources.

6) The binding order determins which protocol is attempted first, if the one on top fails, the next one in line is used.

7) unless you are paranoid, no (see 5) I can't find a tab to switch the binding order in 2000 either, was there is 4.0

 

[Shadow07]

To unbind protocols in Windows 2000, goto the properties of My Network Places. There will be an Advanced menu option. Then select Advanced Options. There you will be able to bind and unbind protocols.

But as far as the issues you are having with your friends laptop, were you using TCP/IP? Did you make sure that you and your friend were on the same subnet? Could you ping each other?

BTW, "I say this because the 802.11b bridges by design function as mini-routers"; the wireless bridge operates at Layer 2, not Layer 3. Since NetBEUI does not have any layer 3 addressing, the router cannot route NetBEUI traffic. The mini-router they are refering to is similar to switching. The packets get "switched" or "routed" between the different "ports" within the access point.

I hope this answered some of your questions. Please let me know if you have any further questions.

 

[Norssak]

Ah, found the BIND area, thanx.

A bit of non-intuative placement, but what do we expect?

 

[Eug]

Thanx guys.

I have ordered the Netgear HomePNA bridge.

I have also unbound TCP/IP from the Client for Microsoft Networks and from File and Printer Sharing.

 

[Shadow07]

Why did you unbind TCP/IP from those services? Without those enabled you will not be able to connect to each other via NetBIOS.

 

[Eug]

Eh? I haven't tried it yet because it was past my bedtime, but I'll try it tonite. I have unbound TCP/IP but I have added NetBeui to them.

I thought the whole point of using NetBeui was because it did not cross the router, but made file sharing a snap, and thus making your internal (small) network that much more secure.

Or should I only unbind it for File Sharing and not from the Client for Microsoft Networks? I'm just guessing here, but I had guessed it would be both.

Oh well, I'll find out tonite.

 

[Shadow07]

Yes, using NetBeui is easier to setup, but even if you do unbind TCP/IP from the services you still will leave port 137 open. Ports 138 and 139 will be closed, but not 137.

You can try using NetBeui, but I would still try TCP/IP as the only protocol installed.

 

[Eug]

Thanx guys but can you guys help me out with a new problem? And oh yeah, Happy Holidays!

See my new thread for a description of the problem. Essentially, it seems that with my Ethernet/HomePNA card I cannot see my other PC, but I see it fine in Ethernet mode. Both the HomePNA and the Ethernet are done by the same PCMCIA card, and with both I get great Internet access.

Help!