Networking Problems

[ChrisMG187]

Well, I tried to set up a LAN today. I'm on @Home for my internet access and they wont help me with my LAN, so here it goes.

I'm networking two computers, A and B. Computer A plugs into the 5 port switch (Linksys model EZXS55W), as does Computer B. My cable modem is connected to the uplink port on the switch. Both computers can access the internet. Computer A can see Computer B in Network Neighborhood. Computer B however, cannot see Computer A in Network Neighborhood. When I type in the name for Computer A on Computer B (C850301-A as assigned by @home) it doesnt work. I'm typing in the correct thing (\\C850301-A), and i know this because if I type in \\C850301-B (the name of the other comp as assigned by @home) into comp a, it works. The error i get when trying to access A from B is "C850301-A is not accessible. No other error information is available."

Any ideas how to get it to work?

[Loki]

What I would suggest is make sure you have file and print sharing ENABLED. Sometime that works if you are using windows 98. Also make sure you have installed all the necessary protocols like NetBeui and the like. Might as well put them all in since you might need them sooner or later. Hope that helps :D

[fakesurfers]

Did you buy another IP address from @home? If not, clone the host name with your router. Can you ping from one machine to another?

[verve247]

can both computers run on the net at the same time? If not then you'll need to put a router inbetween the switch and modem. You also want to make sure that the settings are identical and are running DHCP.

[ChrisMG187]

yeah, they both run the net @ the same time. I bought an extra IP from @home. I managed to get it so that B can access A's files through typing in the address of it, and B can print to A's printer, but I just can't get B to see A in the Network Neighborhood. BTW, B can see A under Start>Find>Computer, just not in Network Neighborhood.

[hapoo]

What OS are you running??
Did you remember to install the NetBEUI Protocal?? It tends to fix many file sharing problems.

[verve247]

have you set any files to be shared?(right click the folder, go to preferences i think) You may not be ableto see anything because no files are currently being shared.

[ChrisMG187]

Originally posted by hapoo
What OS are you running??
Did you remember to install the NetBEUI Protocal?? It tends to fix many file sharing problems.
Yes, I have NetBEUI installed on both computers.

Originally posted by verve247
have you set any files to be shared?(right click the folder, go to preferences i think) You may not be ableto see anything because no files are currently being shared.
Yeah, i have files shared on both comps. This is really weird.

[hapoo]

what OS?????

[ChrisMG187]

jeez, that was fast. Sorry, both computers are on Win98SE.

[BADFlSH]

When you get your second IP address from @home they dont always give you one that is on the same subnet. It could be something to do with that, although I think you said one comp can see the other so I dont know.

You might want to make sure both have the same workgroup. That shouldnt fix anything but once in awhile I have trouble with some workgroups not always showing up.

[ChrisMG187]

BADFISH,

I don't think it's the subnet thing, because A can see B, but they do have different subnets. Is it possible to ask them to make them on the same net? If so I'll try that.

[BADFlSH]

Last I time I tried to get IPs on the same subnet they told me they couldn't do anything about it. You could always try but I wouldn't get your hopes up. Like you said though, since A can see B the subnets shouldn't be a problem. I will let you know if I can think of anything else though.

[Grimm]

Get a Cable router. Keep the 6 or seven bucks they take from you for the extra IP.
buy.com has a 4 port Linksys Cable/DSL router for under $100. It's worth it. Then you can have access for both of your computers without the headaches of putting up with @Homes BS.

[brainsmile]

you'll need a router... maybe you should just go wireless with the smc 7004wbr

[Memo]

I would not reccommend installing NetBEUI. That DOES slow down the network. Make sure you do install TCP/IP and IPX tho. For two computers, I wouldn't recommend a wireless solution. Too damn expensive. I like the SMC Barricade Router a lot. Has a built in 4 port switch and a printer server.

[Jeffbx]

Point of information here - NetBEUI does NOT slow down a network - in fact, it's the fastest protocol you can run on a small Windows network. However, multiple protocols (NetBEUI, TCP/IP and IPX all running) WILL slow down a network due to the additional overhead.

If your problem is that you have the machines in different subnets, you have 2 choices. Run TCP/IP only and:

1) Expand your subnet mask to include both IP addresses. If your two addresses are close together, this may be a good choice. However, if they're far apart, you're cutting off your access to all other machines on the Internet in those subnets.

2) Modify your routing table. A bit more difficult, but will give you only the connection you want without cutting off access to any machines on the Internet. What you do is add a route that says if you're trying to access your 2nd machine, rather than going out the default gateway it should go directly to your second computer. Go to a command prompt and type 'route /?' for info on modifying.

Well, I guess you really have a third choice - run IP as well as NetBEUI OR IPX. Let NetBEUI handle the local connection, and IP handle the Internet. Make sure the workgroup names are the same and the computer names are different.

Sorry that these are pretty simplistic instructions here - if you're really interested in persuing one of these options, shoot me an e-mail and I can go into more detail.