Small Network Problems

[nate83]

Friend and I working on setting up small business network at doctor's office. As they might want DSL in the future, we purchased Linksys 4-port switch DSL Router, which I already have at home and have enjoyed using for some time. The network consists of two ancient win95 boxes that were originally connected directly and one new HP WinME box that was to go in the new office. All computers were set up, CAT5 cables were run and RJ45 ends connected correctly (I'm almost absolutely sure of this). All the lights in the cooresponding 3 ports on the Linksys router were lit up = good connection. Yet, all the machines would not recognize each other, would only say that they were the only member of the workgroup, whose name was 'WORKGROUP'. All were set for same workgroup name, different computer names, and was tried with DHCP on and off. Yet sometimes, one of the computers, named SERVER, would recognize one of the other two machines, place it in the WORKGROUP, but when it was clicked on, it would say it was unreachable and then dissapear. Temporarily changed one of the ends to make cable a cross-over and directly connected first two PCs again, but need to go back and fix the problem. Any ideas or suggestions would be more than welcome. Thanks.

 

[JackMDS]

Sharing in Win98 Network.

One of the ways to increase security, and allow full local network sharing is to install NetBEUI as the default Network Protocol. NetBEUI is not routable to the Internet, so nothing gets out.

My experience (on variety of network settings) shows that Surfing the Internet is smoother if the main network traffic is done via NetBEUI, and TCP/IP is reserved to Internet activities only.


Win98 Sharing

Assuming that your hardware is functioning, and you are using the correct type of CAT5 cables.

Sharing setting in Win98!!!

You will not see a Computer in the Network Neighborhood, unless it shares something.

All computers can have one, two, or three, of the following Network Protocols:

1. TCP/IP - must be installed for Internet
2. NetBEUI ? simple, no IP scheme, Internet safe (recommended as Default Protocol).
3. IPX/PX ? needed for some LAN games.

The three can reside together BUT - All computers must have the same Default Protocol..

All used Protocols are bound to the Ethernet Card.

All computers have the same Workgroup name.

Each computer has it own unique name.

Make sure that you Logon as Client for Microsoft Network.

There are three places to be checked for sharing:

The first two are in Control Panel, Network.

1. The Protocol that you are using for sharing, has to be bound to Client for Microsoft Network, and Sharing is Checked in the protocol's properties menu.

2. The general File and Print Sharing has to be installed, and checked.

The third in "My Computer" folder.

3. Individual Drive or/and printer has to be checked for sharing.
Right click on the device to share, choose properties, click on the sharing Tab, check Shared As, and give it a name.

For printer:

Click My Computer, click on Printers, right click on the printer that you want to share, click on Properties, choose the Sharing tab, checked share, give it a name.


Important: The Shared Printer Drivers has to be installed on all computers that use this printer.