Peer-to-Peer Networking
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Requirements:
The Software Aspect
In configuring a network, there are four basic components which you need to take into consideration. They are as
follows:
Picking up where we left off above, we now have the hardware aspects of the network set up. The NIC's are installed,
the cabling connected. We must now configure the software components of the "clients" or stations on the network.
Plug-N-Play NIC's - This is done under Start, Settings, Control Panel, Network icon. If your card is Plug-N-Play compliant, then you
should already see the Client for Microsoft Networks, Client for Netware Networks, an adapter specific to your NIC,
the IPX/SPX-Compatible Protocol, and NetBEUI. If you do not see these components or your NIC adapter is not Plug-N-Play
compliant, proceed to HERE. You may also see the Dial-Up adapter and the TCP-IP protocol in here
if that is your means of connecting to the Internet. The first thing you will want to do is to remove any unnecessary
components. Of course you can remove the Client for Netware Networks as we are setting up a Microsoft Network. In
addition, if you have the Dial-Up Adapter installed, IPX/SPX-Compatible Protocol and TCP/IP will be bound to both the
NIC adapter and Dial-Up Adapter. You can remove the TCP/IP bound to the NIC adapter and the IPX/SPX-Compatible
Protocol bound to the Dial-Up Adapter. The essential components which must remain are the Client for Microsoft Networks,
NIC adapter, and NetBEUI. You can retain the IPX/SPX-Compatible Protocol which is bound to the NIC adapter and run
this as a secondary protocol to NetBEUI. You are now ready to proceed to File and Printer Sharing.
Non-Plug-N-Play NIC's - If you do not see the correct components already installed, then you will need to add them manually. Click on
the Add button. You will be prompted for which component you wish to add. Depending on which components you are
lacking, this may be different for everyone. Highlight the necessary component from the list and choose Add. You
must then choose a Manufacturer. For all components except for the NIC adapter, you will choose Microsoft as the
Manufacturer. You should then see the missing item on the list. Highlight it and then choose OK. You will then
most likely be prompted for the Windows95 CD. If your adapter is not listed, you will need to add the adapter
manually and set the IRQ/Address manually. If after adding the non-PNP adapter you are not prompted for the resource
settings, highlight the adapter on the list of components and click the Properties button and then the Resources tab.
Here you should be able to manually change the configuration settings on the network card. If the card is hard-set by
the use of jumpers, then you will need to set it to that setting. If not, then you will need to run the software
configuration program which accompanied your network card and then select the proper IRQ underneath the Resources tab.
File and Printer Sharing - You should now have the Client, Adapter and Protocol configured for use of your network. The next logical step is
to install File and Printer Sharing for your network. After all, that is why you are setting up a network right? So
you can share files and printers between the stations on the network? At the Network Configuration screen, choose Add
from the buttons below. From the list presented, choose Service and then highlight Microsoft as the Manufacturer.
In the right-hand windows, select File and Printer Sharing for Microsoft Networks and then click on OK. You should
then have this Service added to the list of installed components. Now click on the File and Print Sharing button.
Make sure both of the boxes are checked here and then click OK. Now is a good time to make sure that you have the
Primary Network Login set to Client for Microsoft Network and not Windows Logon. Lastly, click on the
Identification tab at the top of the screen. Here you need to set a Computer Name you wish the computer to appear as
on the network. Also note that you need to set the Workgroup here also. It is important that you set both
computers to the same Workgroup or they will never be able to see each other. The Computer Description can be set at
whatever you wish. Now click OK and provided you had to add a component or two, it may prompt you for the CD from which
to copy files. After copying files, you will be prompted to restart the computer.
After restarting, you should now come up to a screen asking you to "Enter Your Network Password for Microsoft
Networking". Here you may enter a password or if you do not want one, just click OK. Keep in mind that this is not real security.
Do not choose Cancel here or you will not actually be logging into the network. After choosing OK, you will be
prompted to confirm your password. Re-enter your password if you entered one, if not just click OK again. Provided both
computers are in the same Workgroup, you should now be able to see each other.
Now that your network is up and running, you must share files or printers on the stations in order to connect to
them from the other computers. Follow the links below for the desired effects you wish to receive.
Author: Yimmy -- ©1997 |