Networking questions? Please help.

[taltos1]

Hello,
I have been doing a lot of reading to learn about networking (mainly on ezlan.net) over the past week. But I still have a few questions I was hoping you folks could help me with:

1. Is there a way to view the IP address of all devices on my network? Ie. Printers, other computers, NAS etc.

2. There are currently 2 computers attached to the network, 1 with XP Pro and 1 with XP home, we are sharing files on a workgroup with simple file sharing. Is there a way to secure the network so ONLY the other computer can access my files, and vice versa?

3. I use a DSL/router all-in-1 to connect network everything together. Does that provide protection the the 2 computers on the network?

Thank you.

 

[jlazzaro]

Originally posted by: taltos1
1. Is there a way to view the IP address of all devices on my network? Ie. Printers, other computers, NAS etc.

this is accomplished by a network scan, or software that maps and manages all devices on your network. nagios is a popular, free package, but there is A LOT out there. intermapper, ipswitch whatsup, openview...

Originally posted by: taltos1
2. There are currently 2 computers attached to the network, 1 with XP Pro and 1 with XP home, we are sharing files on a workgroup with simple file sharing. Is there a way to secure the network so ONLY the other computer can access my files, and vice versa?

if you have secure passwords and this is for a home network, its not worth the trouble. this would require segregating them in seperate vlans / acls, usually beyond the scope of your gear.

Originally posted by: taltos1
3. I use a DSL/router all-in-1 to connect network everything together. Does that provide protection the the 2 computers on the network?

from the outside, yes (nat, filterting, etc). internally, no.

 

[taltos1]

Thank you for your advice, very helpful.

"this is accomplished by a network scan" is this built into Win XP? If so how do I
access/use it?

 

[skreet]

Network scanning is rather advanced. Do you have any wireless devices? If not, disable the wireless access point.

Another way to see most devices on your network is to use the routers 'View DHCP table' features. It's in different locations on different routers. This will only show devices that are not STATIC devices.

Best of luck!

 

[nweaver]

Originally posted by: jlazzaro

Originally posted by: taltos1
1. Is there a way to view the IP address of all devices on my network? Ie. Printers, other computers, NAS etc.

this is accomplished by a network scan, or software that maps and manages all devices on your network. nagios is a popular, free package, but there is A LOT out there. intermapper, ipswitch whatsup, openview...

Originally posted by: taltos1
2. There are currently 2 computers attached to the network, 1 with XP Pro and 1 with XP home, we are sharing files on a workgroup with simple file sharing. Is there a way to secure the network so ONLY the other computer can access my files, and vice versa?

if you have secure passwords and this is for a home network, its not worth the trouble. this would require segregating them in seperate vlans / acls, usually beyond the scope of your gear.

Originally posted by: taltos1
3. I use a DSL/router all-in-1 to connect network everything together. Does that provide protection the the 2 computers on the network?

from the outside, yes (nat, filterting, etc). internally, no.

nagios is NOT a network scanner...

I would use angry IP or IP Scanner...however, realize that a firewall will block pings, so if it has a firewall...

 

[jlazzaro]

didnt say it was a scanner...i was referring more to the auto discovery features.

 

[taltos1]

Thank you all, It seems like most of the suggestions (nagios, intermapper, ipswitch whatsup, openview...) only run on linux? Is that true any suggestions for Win XP? Thx.

 

[jlazzaro]

only nagios runs on *nix...all the others can run windows.

if you're just trying to get the quick and dirty, use an ip scanner like weaver mentioned. if you're trying to get a topology map / big picture / map of all devices, something like I mentioned would do good.

 

[taltos1]

Excellent advice. Now another thing, are network cables hot-pluggable? For example can I switch a cable from port 1 to 3 on a switch/hub/router with no problem, or would I have to reboot my computer and switch etc..
thanks!

 

[Smilin]

Originally posted by: taltos1
Excellent advice. Now another thing, are network cables hot-pluggable? For example can I switch a cable from port 1 to 3 on a switch/hub/router with no problem, or would I have to reboot my computer and switch etc..
thanks!

hot plug, no issue.