Setting up an LAN

ganonbanned · Post by **ganonbanned** » Tue Dec 19, 2006 4:44 pm

Hey,
Does anyone have instructions on how to set up and LAN

Post by **bicostp** » Tue Dec 19, 2006 5:36 pm

It's not that hard...

Here's a very basic way to set up a workgroup LAN. You don't have thousands of machines to deal with, so you don't need to worry about IP address allocation, domains, or any of that other stuff.

Before you begin, make sure all your computers have a unique network name (Right-click My Computer -> Properties). This will make it easier for you to recognize the computers. You could just work with IP addresses, but it's harder to remember which computer has what address.

1. Buy an ethernet switch or router (10/100 ethernet is the consumer standard, though you can find gigabit.). Get one thta has enough ports to fit all of the computers you want to hook up, and your DSL or cable modem.

2. Decide where the router / hub will go. (Usually in a cabinet, a broom closet, or the main computer's desk.)

3. Buy premade Category 5 ethernet patch cables, or an ethernet wiring kit. Just make sure you wire it correctly (Search "ethernet connector wiring" on Google) and the cables are long enough.

4. Run the wires from the main router/switch to each PC. If it's temporary (<1 week's use), you can run the wires across the floor, taping them down with masking tape. If it's semi-permanent (2 weeks to a month or so), route the wires along baseboards whenever possible. If it's a permanent installation, run the wires inside the walls. (You can avoid drilling holes by using the space around heat registers.)

5. If you have a DSL or cable modem that has ethernet connectivity, wire it up to the router.

Now all your machines are connected to each other, and the internet. You can share files, printers, and resources.

If you want to go a step further you could assign the computers static IP addresses, set port restrictions, or anything else. However, you don't need to do any of that to have a functional workgroup up and running.

madc0w · Post by **madc0w** » Tue Dec 19, 2006 6:10 pm

I also have a question. How do you set up network file sharing in windows? I always try to and screw up.

gamemasterAS · Post by **gamemasterAS** » Thu Dec 21, 2006 1:25 am

madc0w wrote:I also have a question. How do you set up network file sharing in windows? I always try to and screw up.

I spent like a hour last weekend on it and failed.

Post by **Sparkfist** » Thu Dec 21, 2006 8:19 am

This is a bit along the line. I need a way to check the IP address of a computer on my LAN. I usually don't have to but I'm using an ssh program and I have to know the exact IP to connect to the computer in question. Any suggestions?

vb_master · Post by **vb_master** » Thu Dec 21, 2006 8:35 am

Sparkfist wrote:This is a bit along the line. I need a way to check the IP address of a computer on my LAN. I usually don't have to but I'm using an ssh program and I have to know the exact IP to connect to the computer in question. Any suggestions?

Check the DHCP clients table?

Post by **bicostp** » Thu Dec 21, 2006 9:47 am

Set the machine in question to a static IP, or go onto it and use ipconfig /all . (or ifconfig, or whatever Linux uses...)

lifeisbetterwithketchup · Thu Dec 21, 2006 1:17 pm

madc0w wrote:I also have a question. How do you set up network file sharing in windows? I always try to and screw up.

\

In XP, you right click on the folder and click on "Sharing and Security". Then check "Share this folder on the Network" and give it a name.

dudex77 · Post by **dudex77** » Thu Dec 21, 2006 1:41 pm

how are people so confused by this i set one up when i was 12

Post by **Sparkfist** » Thu Dec 21, 2006 2:09 pm

dudex77 wrote:how are people so confused by this i set one up when i was 12

Yeah the basics of connecting computers via ethernet cabling to a switch/router is easy. There are other things that are more complected like setting up sharing, and communication through just Windows or any other OS.

gamemasterAS · Post by **gamemasterAS** » Thu Dec 21, 2006 2:22 pm

Sparkfist wrote:
dudex77 wrote:how are people so confused by this i set one up when i was 12
Yeah the basics of connecting computers via ethernet cabling to a switch/router is easy. There are other things that are more complected like setting up sharing, and communication through just Windows or any other OS.

I have printer sharing and I play lan from pc to pc but I just cant get file sharing from those PC's to run. Some of it gets tricky.

dudex77 · Post by **dudex77** » Thu Dec 21, 2006 2:32 pm

gamemasterAS wrote:
Sparkfist wrote:
dudex77 wrote:how are people so confused by this i set one up when i was 12
Yeah the basics of connecting computers via ethernet cabling to a switch/router is easy. There are other things that are more complected like setting up sharing, and communication through just Windows or any other OS.
I have printer sharing and I play lan from pc to pc but I just cant get file sharing from those PC's to run. Some of it gets tricky.

meh understandable i guess. plus i dont think i set up the file sharing thing but i did set up the printer to be on the network

ArtemisGoldfish · Post by **ArtemisGoldfish** » Thu Dec 21, 2006 9:44 pm

A quick reminder if you use a hub (god forbid) or a switch: You have to manually set the network IP addresses, or (if you have WinXP SP2) it'll say that there's "Limited Connectivity". You can set the IP addresses in the network adaptor's properties, in TCP/IP Protocol's settings.

ANNND a quick tip: To view a computer's resources, go into Explorer and type \\ip-address, where ip-address is...Well, the IP address. Must be two forward-slashes. EX: \\192.168.0.2