how to share a machine without the need of the network?

CyberGhost

I want to set up a room so there will be one computer with hard drives inside and other computers to be able to access it and to read/write files to it

to make long story short, is it possible to share files between 3-4 computers without the need of network and hub?

I don't trust networks and stuff

Rabies

if you want to just share between two PCs you can use a cross over cable (i think thats the one). Any more than that and a hub is needed.

CyberGhost

k! Thanks man!

KinSlayer

You could have 3 network cards in the comp with different network IP's
192.168.0.1
192.168.1.1
192.168.2.1

Cross over cables to the other machines and set them up with one ip each
192.168.0.2
192.168.1.2
192.168.2.2

each computer can access the server but not each other.

BloodBath

Or just buy a 5 port switch. They are cheap enough and will handle traffic better.

This and a few patch cables and your sorted.


BloodBath

Stephen

Originally posted by CyberGhost
I don't trust networks and stuff

:rolleyes:

What's not to trust on your own small LAN, you haven't mentioned connecting it to the internet so I don't see where the threat is, unless the users you are giving write access to are morons who like deleting important stuff.

CyberGhost

you haven't mentioned connecting it to the internet

sorry! I mention it now, I will probably he connected to the net

Stephen

Get a decent firewall and you should be ok. You could block access to all traffic to/from the internet to the fileserver.

ressem

:dunno: connecting PC's is networking.
For your purposes, file transfer, you're looking for a high speed connection 100 Mbits+.
You could use daisychained firewire cards, but standard networking is the cheapest and the best understood. We can certainly try to advise on any security issues. However we assume that you're running a tiny lan that doesn't require high security.

For high security, you'd have one machine/network for internet access and the other machines would have network access/no internet access. You'd have an air gap or a very strict firewall between them. That's probably not the league we're in here.

In short you need a firewall to block incoming and selected outgoing traffic on your internet connection. That's true for everyone these days (people already are starting to need firewalls on their overcomplicated bluetooth phones ffs)

Are you using dialup over analogue line or ISDN/DSL/other?

Have you got a PC with XP amongst your collection?

Windows XP can deal with having a network connection and modem connected. You just need to maintain this PC with antivirus, windows patches and a good software firewall which can be cheap. (hopefully MS won't chicken out wrt strict firewall in XP service pack 2).

If you've a digital internet connection then a cheap router/switch/firewall combination would be adaquate, for less than euro100.
http://www.dabs.com/uk/templates/Channels/ProductResults/ProductResults1.aspx?NRMODE=Published&NRORIGINALURL=%2fuk%2fchannels%2fhardware%2fnetworking%2fproducts%2ehtm%3fcatid%3d136&NRNODEGUID=%7bAA817FBD-25E7-4096-9D99-75214B1FFDAC%7d&NRCACHEHINT=Guest&catid=136
You can get the same for analog, but it costs more.

At home I've got an SMC wireless router that lets me connect a dialup modem to it's serial port and dial out by pressing a button on it's built in web page from any PC on the internal network.
(And protects against dialler trojans that have been in the news)

Built-in Firewall blocks traffic in and allows traffic out only on ports specified by me. Then it's easy for me to keep antivirus updates/windows update up to date on all machines, and service packs can be transferred from pc to pc.
Allow none incoming traffic (i.e. traffic originating outside)
Allow outgoing to ports (web 80, 443, 8080, 21), DNS 53, (nonweb Mail 110/143/25 ideally only to your chosen ISP ip allocation). MSN IM 1863, NNTP news if you require.

and you'll be more secure than your internet connected PC's presumably are currently. Set auto update on Windows, and update/replace office, set Antivirus to autoupdate.

If your data isn't sensitive then this should be enough security. If it is, it shouldn't be connected to any network without a lot of thought.