First time setting up a LAN

Nichololas

Trying to connect my desktop to my laptop over LAN. Both have onboard LAN and I have a LAN cable. Do I need anything else or can I just connect them directly seeing as theres only two to connect? Also if that IS all I need to connect the two what do I use to transfer files from one to the other?

Optikus

For two computers over LAN a crossover cable is fine.. once the network is set up you can share folders (right click and share) then in My network places you should be able to see these shared folders and transfer files fron there.

StRiKeR

also if you have problem seeing the laptop from your PC or the other way round, or have problem sharing files, go into the network device properties and make sure you have NetBios installed for the network cards you are using and assign ip to both system if needed! like 192.168.1.21 n 192.168.1.22 for the other!

Nichololas

So they have to be in Shared Folder. Is there not a simpler way because i'd rather not have to move things around everytime i want to switch something. Also i'm not sure if I set up the LAN right. It's enabled and running on both computers - does this mean they can see each other?

Optikus

No i said you can share any folder from any location by right clicking on it and selecting share.

StRiKeR

Enlil_Nick wrote:

Also i'm not sure if I set up the LAN right. It's enabled and running on both computers - does this mean they can see each other?

just go in to My Network Places on your desktop, if you cant see or you see the other system but cannot access, then just do what I told you above, it should work then, if not just post here whats happening and one of us will sort you out!

Nichololas

Bah.

After trying unsuccessfully and taking a break for dinner I still haven't gotten it up proper. Can someone explain step by step from about the point where you connect the two with the lan cable, without changing configurations.

Ciaran500

Are you using a standard lan cable or a crossover cable?

You never said you were using one.

Optikus

set ip on one to 192.168.1.1 default gate way to 192.168.1.2

on the other reverse these settings so ip 192.168.1.2 default gatway to 192.168.1.1

Subnet mask should set its self to 225.225.225.0 on both

Nichololas

Er, not sure which type it is. Borrowed it from a friend today who was using it to connect two gamecubes.

How do I set the ip and default gateway?

Optikus

start, right click on my network places/properties/ select the lan card your using from the list right click /properties/internet protocol TCP/IP and enter the setting s in there.

StRiKeR

dont set your PC to 192.168.1.1, if you are using broadband, that could be a chance your dsl modem is using 192.168.1.1, which will mess up everything altogether!

Optikus

StRiKeR wrote:

dont set your PC to 192.168.1.1, if you are using broadband, that could be a chance your dsl modem is using 192.168.1.1, which will mess up everything altogether!

Oh yeah ok just set the last number to 3 and 2, or any thing apart from 1 and remember to reverse on the other system.

Nichololas

Bah I can't figure out whats wrong. I put in the IP/gateway protocol. They're obviously connected because I can see on on iTunes, but nothing comes up in My Network Places when I set something to shared. I'll try again in the morning

Mac daddy

Damm - read a book or something - Networking for Dummies :rolleyes: :rolleyes:

Blub2k4

If you're running XP then you could use the network setup wizard and that does it pretty idiot proof.

Optikus

Try with DNS server the same as the default gateway on each machine, not sure if this as the same when just using a crossover cable, but its worth a try.

MrPinK

Enlil_Nick wrote:

Bah I can't figure out whats wrong. I put in the IP/gateway protocol. They're obviously connected because I can see on on iTunes, but nothing comes up in My Network Places when I set something to shared.

Make sure they are in the same workgroup and if you have any firewalls running turn them off for the moment.

set ip on one to 192.168.1.1 default gate way to 192.168.1.2

on the other reverse these settings so ip 192.168.1.2 default gatway to 192.168.1.1

By reversing it on the other machine all you are really doing is messing up any other connections. Any packets that are supposed to be sent to an external host will be passed back and forth between the two hosts on the LAN.

The default gateway only needs to be set if one host has an internet connection that you want to share with the other host. The second host then makes the first host it's default gateway. This sets up a default route that sends all it's external traffic through the first host.

Mac daddy

Optikus wrote:

Try with DNS server the same as the default gateway on each machine, not sure if this as the same when just using a crossover cable, but its worth a try.

He barely knows what to do let alone trying with a Dns server -

Best thing just use like Blub2k4 said -use the netwrok wizard you can't go wrong with that.

Optikus

Mac daddy wrote:

He barely knows what to do let alone trying with a Dns server -

Best thing just use like Blub2k4 said -use the netwrok wizard you can't go wrong with that.

I told him how to get into the tcp/ip properties, he managed that ok, why can't he change the DNS its on the same friggin screen!

Random

Make sure you are using a crossover cable. It looks the same as normal RJ-45, but it's for connecting 2 NICs together.

User the Windows XP Networking Setup Wizard on one pc and set it up. When prompted at the end, insert a floppy and make a disk for use on the other pc. Then load the floppy on the other pc. It couldn't be simpler.