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TCP/IP Home Networking
and File Sharing
Tutorial
First,
Check Your Internet
Connection
Ensure all of your computers can connect to the Internet. This is
the best way to ensure that your computers have good
connectivity between them and have TCP/IP loaded. If all of
your computers can connect to the Internet, the rest of this tutorial
will be a breeze.
 Next, Update Windows
All versions of Microsoft Windows have
networking bugs - Windows 98, 98SE, ME, NT, 2000, XP all need
important updates to work correctly. It is VERY IMPORTANT that you
update Microsoft Windows with the latest patches to get your home
network running correctly. Do this with the ' Windows
Update' selection on your Start Menu Or
see How to Update
Windows for a step by step tutorial
for each Microsoft operating system.
THEN
For each computer
on your network, select a page and follow the instructions.
If your computer has
ONE network card and does NOT have a broadband modem
directly
connected
to it:
OR
My computer is an
Internet Connection 'Server Computer'
. It has a broadband
modem attached to it and at least one other network card for my
LAN. It runs Microsoft ICS, WinGate or other connection sharing
software
 Windows
98/98SE/ME with sharing software running(soon) Windows
2000 with sharing software running(soon)
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Internet Connection Sharing
Computers
*** Temp Notes till I get
more pages up ***
You must make sure that the network card
for your broadband connection does NOT have 'Client for
Microsoft Networks' and 'File and Print Sharing' bound to
it. This is to ensure your shares are not exposed to the
internet. The LAN network adapter should be configured
normally - just like the links
above. |
THEN
Make sure
each computer is
in the same workgroup
A 'workgroup'
is simply a logical grouping of computers. On a home
network, only a single workgroup is needed. If all of your
computers are not in the same workgroup, they may not be able to see
each other correctly. Just make one up and stick to it. Keep
it simple and easy to remember.
Each computer should get
the SAME WORKGROUP name and a DIFFERENT computer name. Again, keep
all names simple and easy to remember.
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Fun Network Naming
Examples
Workgroup:
Atom
Computers:
Neutrino, Quark, Electron, Proton, Neutron, etc...
Workgroup:
Sol
Computers: Earth, Mars, Venus,
Jupiter, Saturn, etc...
Workgroup:
Milkeyway
Computers:
Sirus, Centauri, Vega, Deneb, Canopus, Proxima, Rigil,
etc... |
Rename your computers and put them on
the same workgroup!
THEN
(All
computers are configured)
A folder or printer must
be shared on each computer for them to show up in your network
neighborhood. The next set of pages will show you
how to share a folder. Windows 2000 NOTE: You need to
create a NEW SHARE. The default drive shares are not 'network
shares'.
The computer I
want to create a share on is running:
THEN
Mapping Drives, Browsing the network
First of all, reboot your computers! We
just made a load of configuration changes! When your computers
start up, give them a minute or so to become 'aware' of each
other. Sometimes you will get error messages if you try to
access your network neighborhood too soon.
Tell me more about Network Browsing, Searching
and Mapping network drives
Troubleshooting
Use the Forums for now. I will compile a
list of problems into some troubleshooting pages
Personal
Help
Too much to handle by
yourself? Use our network installer
database to find someone in your home town
that can install your network for you. -- Or
get yourself registererd as an installer! Windows Network help - installers | 
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