Support NeoGAF

[Ecrofirt]

We've got four PCs here, and we want to have them all networked together. I'm wondering a thing or two:

1) I know I can easily put them all on the same workgroup, but I'm not sure this is what I want. How does a domain work, and would it be better to use a domain? If that's a silly question, it's because I'm a silly guy.

2) We'd like to set it up so that all the PCs can use the one printer. Is this as easy as setting it to be the default printer in all PCs?

3) What's the best way to cut off the internet access on two PCs? Well, not cut it off entirely, but put it on sort of a switch system where you'd have to physically turn on internet access for the PC via a password or something.

4) As this is work, I'm trying not to tinker with the Network ID wizard too much. When I open it, however, it asks if I'm on a business network, or a home network. Which route do I go in?

Thanks for any help you can provide!

 

[DarienA]

1. A Domain has a dedicated machine functioning as a server generally holds shared resources such as files, print queues, logons, etc. For 4 machines... it's overkill, go with a workgroup.

2. Assuming the printer is installed(cabled) to one PC, then you simply share the machine, and you can install the drivers on all the other machines. And yes it can be the default printer on all machines.

3. The easiest way I can think of doing this is(if your internet connection is through a router), configure the router so that it only accepts connections from specific mac address... and then hard code the mac addresses in of the machines you want to have an inet connection... there are other ways to do it, but that's the one that pops in my head immediately.

4. Hmm I've never seen the Wizard ask that... it differentiates home vs business network? Does it give a description? It sounds like it's asking the workgroup vs. domain question(i.e. it sounds like it's asking are you on a network with a server, or simply workgrouped together)

 

[Ecrofirt]

Thanks for the help.

As for #4, Right click My Computer>Properties>Network Identification>Network ID button

 

[blahness]

3) What's the best way to cut off the internet access on two PCs? Well, not cut it off entirely, but put it on sort of a switch system where you'd have to physically turn on internet access for the PC via a password or something.

depends on how you have the internet access set up. my guess is that your 4 computers are automatically getting their addresses from your router. on the two that you do not want to have on the internet you could give them a static ip address, what ever subnet mask you are using, but not supply a default gateway.

 

[Ecrofirt]

I think the internet solutions are providing are a bit too complex for some of the people that work here.

All the PCs are on a hub, not a router. Is there some kind of solution where someone who doesn't know much about PCs would be able to enter a password when opening IE to get on the internet? Something that might establish the broadband connection upon a correct password entry, and when you close the browser, the brodband connection is closed?

 

[DarienA]

I think the internet solutions are providing are a bit too complex for some of the people that work here.

All the PCs are on a hub, not a router. Is there some kind of solution where someone who doesn't know much about PCs would be able to enter a password when opening IE to get on the internet? Something that might establish the broadband connection upon a correct password entry, and when you close the browser, the brodband connection is closed?

Well what is the hub connected to that they are getting internet access?

 

[Ecrofirt]

I'd imagine it's connected to the DSL modem, although I haven't actually seen the modem anywhere around here.

 

[Phoenix]

Accept nothing less than a token ring network. Anyone recommending any other solution wants you to fail!

 

[Ecrofirt]

This whole thing is screwed up here. I don't know who tried setting these PCs up before I did, but I know two local PC shops worked on it. Between four PCs there's two workgroups now, and one of the workgroups has screwed up internet access.

One of the PCs in that workgroup always, always, asks for a username and password. The other, no matter what I try, won't connect to the internet.

 

[HokieJoe]

Ecro, I would recommend that they buy a cheap little DLink or Linksys router. Either will have a four port hub, so you can just connect each PC individually to one of the router's four ports. Since you said that you need printer access for each PC, see #2 below.

We've got four PCs here, and we want to have them all networked together. I'm wondering a thing or two:

1) I know I can easily put them all on the same workgroup, but I'm not sure this is what I want. How does a domain work, and would it be better to use a domain? If that's a silly question, it's because I'm a silly guy.

I agree with DarienA- a domain is overkill at this point. Once you get to around 8-10 PC's then you can start thinking about that. BTW, I recently installed a W2K3 domain server. It wasn't as easy as I thought it would be. I was domain server virgin though.

2) We'd like to set it up so that all the PCs can use the one printer. Is this as easy as setting it to be the default printer in all PCs?

There are a couple of options here. If the printer has a print server built in to it you can just connect it straight to the router or the hub that they already have. If the printer doesn't have a print server, then you can buy a router with a print server built-in. For instance, this DLink DI-707P Broadband Router has a built-in server and parallel port.

3) What's the best way to cut off the internet access on two PCs? Well, not cut it off entirely, but put it on sort of a switch system where you'd have to physically turn on internet access for the PC via a password or something.

I'm not as familiar with workgroup config's, but I did find this little program:
Internet Lock

4) As this is work, I'm trying not to tinker with the Network ID wizard too much. When I open it, however, it asks if I'm on a business network, or a home network. Which route do I go in?

Not sure here. Give us some more details about each PC and how they're configured. For instance, what OS are you using on these PC's? Are you currently using (ICS) internet connection sharing?

 

[Swordian]

I have a network question myself, so I'll just put it in this thread.

I'm trying to set up a network between my two computers with a crossover cable in order to transfer some files. On my primary computer (XP) I set up a new network and then used the XP CD on the secondary computer (98 SE) to set up the network there. Both computers now have a network with the same name, but they only recognize thier own shared files and not each other's. Any suggestions?

 

[blahness]

I have a network question myself, so I'll just put it in this thread.

I'm trying to set up a network between my two computers with a crossover cable in order to transfer some files. On my primary computer (XP) I set up a new network and then used the XP CD on the secondary computer (98 SE) to set up the network there. Both computers now have a network with the same name, but they only recognize thier own shared files and not each other's. Any suggestions?

can you at least see the other computer when they are connected?

 

[bionic77]

I also have a question.

I have a laptop with wireless internet and a desktop computer with no net access. Would it somehow be possible to use the laptop to give internet access to the desktop?

 

[alejob]

4) That Network ID wizard is nothing more than a way to name your workgroup or domain. Its easier to use the button below it(I think it's computer name button, I'm on XP Home and it doesn't have it) to setup you workgroup name.

I have a network question myself, so I'll just put it in this thread.

I'm trying to set up a network between my two computers with a crossover cable in order to transfer some files. On my primary computer (XP) I set up a new network and then used the XP CD on the secondary computer (98 SE) to set up the network there. Both computers now have a network with the same name, but they only recognize thier own shared files and not each other's. Any suggestions?

This problem is way to common and yet I never know what to do 'cause its never happened to me.
This a random guide had to say:

nable file and print sharing, disable firewall, from Start\Run type \\IP address of target computer, Type Domain or workgroup\ username for the username when it pops up and then password of target computer for an existing account, one with Admin rights. and the share will open.

 

[alejob]

I also have a question.

I have a laptop with wireless internet and a desktop computer with no net access. Would it somehow be possible to use the laptop to give internet access to the desktop?

Yes, if the laptop has an extra network card. Use a crossover cable from the laptop to the PC and enable Internet Connection Sharing on the wireless connection(Control pannel/Network connections/Right click the wireless connection and select properties/Go to advanced tab and check the check boxes for ICS)

 

[Swordian]

can you at least see the other computer when they are connected?

No, they don't show up in the listing under the network. They show the same network name, but only list themselves.



Alejob, the other computer isn't connected to the internet. Does it have an IP address?

 

[alejob]

No, they don't show up in the listing under the network. They show the same network name, but only list themselves.



Alejob, the other computer isn't connected to the internet. Does it have an IP address?

Ok, thats probably the problem. Unless you gave it a IP address it won't have a "valid" one(or it will have an APIPA address 169.something). So give the computer with no internet a static IP address(Use 192.168.0.1) and give the other computer with internet a static IP of 192.168.0.2. You probably need to unplug from the internet right? If you don't know how to change IPs just ask.

Edit: You'll have to set the PC with internet access back to accepting IPs automatically when you are done.

 

[Swordian]

That did the trick. Thanks!