Does this Networking Schematic work?

Question

Hey everybody, I just need your take on this. I have 2 comps.  One laptop(wireless, XP HOME) and one PC(ethernet, XP PRO).  I have already set up internet sharing and it works flawlessly.  Now I want to setup a network which enables me to share files and share printers. The configuration of the laptop for the TCP/IP settings is manual, I entered the IPs manually.  The PC on the other hand, is obtain IP automatically.  If I were to change that setting, the internet connection would no longer work for the PC.  As you probably know, most of the guides out there tell you to enter in a specific IP address.  But for me, that makes me lose my internet connection (for the PC only).  Am I doing something wrong?  Also they say that XP Home only has Simple Sharing and XP Pro doesnt, does that mean I have to use Simple Sharing for both comps in order for it to work? If I go to 'My Network Places' on my laptop, I see my laptop's hard drive, which means its shared.  However, if I go to 'My Network Places' on my PC, nothing is there except for MSN.  Groupnames and comp names are all meeting the requirements. When I enter the same IP for both computers, then I get the error message saying that there's  a conflict of IPs, from that I can say the comps are hooked up onto a network, just not fully functional. Both of these computers are hooked onto a Netgear 54G wireless router. Any suggestions?   I need help!! Thanks!

_Paladin · Answer

kentl901, '...most of the guides out there tell you to enter in a specific IP address.' - On the contrary, most router setup guides tell the user to configure the PCs to 'Obtain an IP Address Automatically.'  That way, each PC will get a unique IP address assigned by the DHCP server in the router.  If you are assigning a static IP address to one of the PCs, make sure it is in the same range as the router and in the same subnet.  For example, if the router's LAN address is 192.168.0.1, then PC addresses must be 192.168.0.x where X can be any number from 2-255.  The subnet mask is normally 255.255.255.0.  Each PC on the LAN MUST have a unique IP address.  But, Obtain an IP Address Automatically should work on both PCs, and is preferred. Simple file sharing: WinXP Pro supports both and is usually configured for Simple File Sharing (vs. it's 'big brother' Classic File Sharing) out of the box.  WinXP Home supports only Simple file sharing.  Either way, the two operating systems can share files when properly configured.  To configure Simple File Sharing in WinXP Pro, open Windows Explorer amd navigate to Tools - Folder Options - View tab.  In the Advanced settings the very last setting in the list allows you to select or deselect it. Use this tutorial to help you configure File and Printer Sharing.  Start at 'Configure Computers with NetBIOS over TCP/IP' and work down through the tutorial to 'Share a Folder on Each Computer.'  And make sure the Built in WinXP firewall is disabled on both PCs.  If there is a software firewall installed, either uninstall it or configure its 'Trusted Zone' to allow the IP address range of the LAN. Message Edited by _Paladin on 11-28-2003 05:45 AM

jmwills · Answer

Just to add to what Paladin said, there is no reason to use iCS if you have a router.  The router does that process for you with DHCP.  Don't complicate things.

kentl901 · Answer

thanks guys   works like a charm!

Networking, Internet, & Bluetooth

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