• We’re currently investigating an issue related to the forum theme and styling that is impacting page layout and visual formatting. The problem has been identified, and we are actively working on a resolution. There is no impact to user data or functionality, this is strictly a front-end display issue. We’ll post an update once the fix has been deployed. Thanks for your patience while we get this sorted.

Share folders across different subnets

wburris

Junior Member
I am trying to share folders in Windows XP across different subnets. I can ping all of the computers but if I search for the computers in Windows Explorer they are not found. I do not believe it has anyting to do with my routers because I am able to see Server 2000 computers on different subnets just not Windows XP Pro. I have tried the computer name and IP address with not luck.
 
Is the firewall enabled on the XP boxes? Its been along time since I've messed with the XP Firewall but I want to say that maybe its configured to allow share traffic from the local subnet but not for the remote subnet.
 
Probably name resolution. Try accessing the machines by IP address with \\<ip address>

^

Need DNS setup and all machines talking to it or... resisting the urge to mention it... WINS configured. Otherwise the machines will not know where to go to even connect to the share on the other subnet.

I search for the computers in Windows Explorer

Search uses netbios which is not a layer 3 protocol so you are correct that you would not see them via searches in Explorer.
 
Is the firewall enabled on the XP boxes? Its been along time since I've messed with the XP Firewall but I want to say that maybe its configured to allow share traffic from the local subnet but not for the remote subnet.


You were right, it was the firewall. Do you know how to configure the firewall to allow share traffic from a remote subnet? I don't want to just turn the firewall off.
 
I've never done this so I cant comment with certainty but:

Firewall properties -> Exceptions Tab -> Edit Button -> Change Scope -> Change it from "my network" to custom list and list the of subnets you want.
 
I've never done this so I cant comment with certainty but:

Firewall properties -> Exceptions Tab -> Edit Button -> Change Scope -> Change it from "my network" to custom list and list the of subnets you want.

I figurered it out. You have to add TCP port 135 and then you can narrow it down to your individual subnets.

Thanks for your help!!!

I spoke too soon. Apparently adding port 135 does work but not necessary. After your post I went back and did some testing. Changing the scope for File Sharing and port 445 worked as well.
 
Last edited:
Back
Top