two comp. one switch: I want to network

[clif]

I have two pcs and one switch (netgear). I want to network both. I have tried several approaches such as assigning IP addresses but I guess I am doing something incorrect.

The setup is: One switch with an Internet diretly connected and two computers.

I want to be able to see each computer and transfer files.

Help please.

 

[Turbo_VE_Max]

I have two pcs and one switch (netgear). I want to network both. I have tried several approaches such as assigning IP addresses but I guess I am doing something incorrect.

The setup is: One switch with an Internet diretly connected and two computers.

I want to be able to see each computer and transfer files.

Help please.

Okay for one, I'm guessing that your switch may not be a true switch but a router+switch combo since you say you have the internet plugged directly into the "switch"

If this is the case then you router may be trying to assign you computers a DHCP address and then you are trying to set a static one. Not good.

Tell us what model of "switch" you have, best yet a link to where you bought it would be best.

Are both computers XP? Tested the cables?

To just get two computers to see each other, just connect both to a plain switch, then assign one an IP 192.168.0.20 and the other 192.168.0.21 and make sure they are both on the same domain just to make things easy. Then reboot both, and try to ping each other.

 

[clif]

Ok, are you ready for this? I am in Dhaka, Bangladesh as a US Foreign Service officer. They setup the internet weird here. They have a neighborhood POP Station which then goes to a switch which then feeds several homes which then users such as myself add their own switch for multiple computers. They use PPPOE connections in which I have two accounts--one for each computer. The internet connection comes directly into the switch. Now, put that aside.

I want to network both computers using the switch. The switch is a Netgear GS605. I go into the network connections in control panel. Click and I have Local Area Connection (marvell gigabit adaptor), 1394 connection (i dont use) and Agni Internet Connection (the ISP).

What config do I use? The Local Area Connection and set the IP in the TCP/IP-properties-use the following IP? What do I set on both. I am running XP SP2.

 

[Turbo_VE_Max]

Wow, thanks for the info. I may have bitten off more than I can chew.
Hum I am not an expert on this setup, but I am assuming that they are distributing the internet through a gateway that then goes to a switch that then goes to the house you are in, that then goes to your switch. Its messed up but no more than some lan parties,

However there are other possibilities.
Answer as many of these questions as you can.
When you connect your computers to your Netgear do you have to logon to a PPoE account using some software on the computers?
Do they get IP address? If so what are they? Also go to www.whatismyip.com and tell me if both computers have the same internet IP.
Are you able to ping computer 2 from computer 1 and visa versa?


If you can ping each others local IP, then they are technically on the same network.
If however each computer is getting a different internet IP address then this will take much more work.

Also there are easy tools out there to help people share files: http://www.hamachi.cc/
Take a look at it; it’s hard enough to get stuff to work in the US god help derka countries.

BTW What branch of the military are you apart of?

 

[blue68f100]

A switch can not work as a router. You need a router to share a single ip connection. A router allow you to share a single connection. No matter how many pc are connected behind it, to a point.

A lot of user and bussiness use swithes to expand their existing networks.

 

[Turbo_VE_Max]

A switch can not work as a router. You need a router to share a single ip connection. A router allow you to share a single connection. No matter how many pc are connected behind it, to a point.

A lot of user and business use switches to expand their existing networks.

Dude it’s a different country, who knows how their ISP's work lol. They may have the router sitting on some pole in a ditch with laundry hanging on the cat5e cable. I don’t really know.
We need to know what each local ip is and if the internet ip is the same for both computers. If he is already getting an ip address from some router higher up then he should be at least able to ping between the computers.

 

[clif]

1) I have two PPPOE accounts. Yes, I must log on to the internet connection. The software is just dialing sofware when setting up the connection in XP.
2)The IP appear to be coming from the internet connection. PC 1 is 174.53.1.19 and pc 2 is 174.53.1.20. I can ping only if the internet is active. If inactive, then no ping. Additionally, I can not see each PC via workgroup or file sharing setting even though file sharing is set.

DHCP is disabled on the internet connection. Question, there is the internet PPPOE connection adaptor and the Lan connection adaptor. I want to be able to network the computers through the switch without the internet connection on.

One more thing, when I execute ipconfig, PC1 shows a different IP address on the LAN connection but nothing else. PC2 is blank i=on the LAN adaptor.

C

 

[Turbo_VE_Max]

Thanks for the extra info. It looks like your two computers are not on a local intranet (subnet) so you will not be able to see each other with the internet ‘on’ so to speak. Duh you already know this.
So to more answer your question, if you want to share files using just your local switch then first disconnect the cable that you use for your internet. No go to My Network Places -> right click on your NIC, click properties -> click Internet Protocol (TCP/IP), properties -> please take note of the next screen, depending on how everything is setup you may have to revert back to the IP information you see here to get the internet to work again. Select Use the following IP address:-> Give the first computer an address like 192.168.0.20 and a subnet mask of 255.255.255.0, next give the other computer an address like 192.168.0.21 with the same subnet mask. Give them both a reboot.
Now let’s test your network. When they boot up, take the first computer and ping the second computer’s new local IP address 192.168.0.21 if it replies, then they are both on the same subnet and you should be able to swap files like a normal network.
Reverse the steps to get you have on the internet.

 

[Nlaenu]

Woow, those aren't solutions, it will make things complicated.
Couple things you can do.
The easiest way, depending if both pc's have the dual port giga nic's.
If not, install a second nic. Make a cross-over cable and configure a local network. pc1 = 192.168.1.1/24 pc2 = 192.168.1.2/24

The fancy and safest way, not a good thing having your computer directly connected to the net. Replace the switch with a router and configure the pppoe account there, turn the dhcp-server of the router on and your set.

 

[blue68f100]

Setting up static ip info will allow you to share your files. I'm not to sure you would want to share your fiels with the world. Having 2 PPPoE accounts complicates the the setup.

I have a question.

You have 2 accounts do you have 2 lines or just 1?

If you have 2 line (2 connections) you can still share files but it is risky. Once both pc are online. You can use add a network place wizard and add your other pc in using the IP address of it. But this type of sharing exposes your pc's to all of the bad stuff on the internet.

Do you have 2 nic ports on each pc?

 

[blue68f100]

Dude it’s a different country, who knows how their ISP's work lol. They may have the router sitting on some pole in a ditch with laundry hanging on the cat5e cable. I don’t really know.

As for networking it doesn't matter where he is. Yes the interstrructure may be different, the power to power it up may be different but they all work the same way.

I'm convinced he doesn't have all the hardware he needs to share file and be connected with out openeng his self up to the world.

 

[Turbo_VE_Max]

I'm convinced he doesn't have all the hardware he needs to share file and be connected with out opening his self up to the world.

I'll Give you that, that's why I told him to disconnect the cable coming from their POP station router, where-ever that is.

Now if speed is not a big deal, then he can use hamachi to share files. Its safe enough, and he doesn’t have to f^ck with IP settings.
Or use a USB cable to connect the two computers.
Doesn’t matter. Their are many ways of doing this without going through the internet.

BTW My point was that with it being a different country, we can't make all of our normal assumptions. Just as you said "Having 2 PPPoE accounts complicates the setup." We would have never assumed that is how their network is arranged because it doesn’t make much sense, but that is how they do it over there. I worked the phones at Lexmark for a period of time, and I have heard some crazy ways people got their printers on the network so I learned to only make my assumptions very clear so that the user could correct me if I was incorrect.

 

[Turbo_VE_Max]

Woow, those aren't solutions, it will make things complicated.
Couple things you can do.
The easiest way, depending if both pc's have the dual port giga nic's.
If not, install a second nic. Make a cross-over cable and configure a local network. pc1 = 192.168.1.1/24 pc2 = 192.168.1.2/24

The fancy and safest way, not a good thing having your computer directly connected to the net. Replace the switch with a router and configure the pppoe account there, turn the dhcp-server of the router on and your set.

How is this going to be easier? He still has to mess with his IP settings, then he has to buy a NIC, a router, then he has to MAKE a crossover cable.....
Look if he is asking us for help with this then he does not know what a crossover cable is or what a router does, besides a cable from a computer to a switch then another cable to the other computer is the SAME thing as a crossover cable.

Also if you read my post I told him to disconnect the cable from their ISP. They will not be on the internet at that point.
He does not NEED a router. He is already getting an IP from his ISP, although they do have a nice firewall built-in.

He already has all the tools needed to share files safely. We may not like how his ISP has setup his house to accept the internet, but it is how it is.

 

[Nlaenu]

Guess your missing the point of his post, he is asking for help, I just gave him 2 solutions, he can make up his own mind if they are good or not.
Besides, looks to me he knows alot more then your granting him.
And I'm a bit confused, you find it easier to disconnect his isp, "mess" his ip-settings everytime when he wants to transfer a file,
a temporary solution, instead of making a steady solution ? *puzzled*
Oh, I forgot about turning on and off the sharing.
How to mess with his ip ? you already told it to him.
He doesn't know how to make a crossover cable ?
Big deal, there plenty of guides on the net for it. Or he can purchase it from a shop. Or he can ask here.
He already got one dual port giga nic.

I'm convinced he doesn't have all the hardware he needs to share file and be connected with out opening his self up to the world.

The file sharing doesn't matter, he is directly connected to the net, its open already enough.

 

[Turbo_VE_Max]

Guess your missing the point of his post, he is asking for help, I just gave him 2 solutions, he can make up his own mind if they are good or not.

Caveat Emptor

Besides, looks to me he knows alot more then your granting him.

Prolly, but you and I could do this in < 5 minutes. So I don’t know where his skill level sits if he is asking us how to do this, it’s networking 101.

And I'm a bit confused, you find it easier to disconnect his isp, "mess" his ip-settings everytime when he wants to transfer a file,
a temporary solution, instead of making a steady solution ? *puzzled*

Cheaper then buying all that crap. Plus you are not sure how that will affect their respective internet connections. Both have separate internet IP’s maybe they like it that way. If that is the case then no local router will let them transfer files like they were on a LAN. Cause they are not on a LAN right now.

Oh, I forgot about turning on and off the sharing.
How to mess with his ip ? you already told it to him.

Sigh.

He doesn't know how to make a crossover cable ?
Big deal, there plenty of guides on the net for it. Or he can purchase it from a shop. Or he can ask here.

Again, more stuff to buy extra work required.

He already got one dual port giga nic.

Good. What about the other computer? I guess he could share the net via the first computer, but then it would always need to be on if the other computer needs the net.

I'm convinced he doesn't have all the hardware he needs to share file and be connected with out opening his self up to the world.

The file sharing doesn't matter, he is directly connected to the net, its open already enough.

You are assuming that he doesn’t have a firewall already. I personally don’t know if he does or not. Maybe his ISP has one running at that POP station router. We don’t know. You do have a point though. If not he needs to get XP SP2 or some hardware based firewall be it a router or whatever.

And what about hamachi? This is the third time I have mentioned it and no one seems to look at it. It’s free, easy, and transparent to his current setup. If he can setup teamspeak and can run hamachi.

Look clif. Buy all that if you want. Post up here for another week as you try to get all your settings and connections figured out, or just install hamachi, read some guides and go that route. I don’t care anymore.

Nlaenu, I respect what you are trying to say, but I disagree with most of what you recommend in this case.

 

[clif]

I want to thank all of you for your assistance. I didn't mean for anyone to get their feeling hurt. I was just looking for ideas for the experts out there in cyberland. As for me, I build computers as a hobby but I am not a network guy. I know what a cross-over cable is and I have considered it. In fact, I have ordered from Newegg a turbo network cable for USB that allows two computers to connect via USB. The cable has a small chip to make it possible.

As for the router, I have attempted it. The problem is that when I connect to the wan port the connection drops and I can't get access to the router config. I am somewhat certain that because a router already exists somewhere on this god forsaken internet connection that is almost impossible to think like an American and network. Just to give you an idea, the top speed here in Dhaka for residential is 128 download and 64 upload. SUCKS tit.

I have tried the IP settings and there are some issues. I will disconnect the internet and do some more tests to see if there is a work-around. As for the dual NICs, no I have a singl giga on each computer. I am running an ASUS K8 SE Deluxe, AMD 3400, ASUS 6600LE cards, 19 inch flat screens, and 600 watts power supplies. I have a netgear switch but I also have a new swithc on the way: SWITCH DLINK|DGS-2208 8P GIGABIT .

Guys, the setup here is weird. I will test some more using all your suggestions. I hope it OK for me to send more question should I have a need to do so.

Thanks

 

[Nlaenu]

Hurted feelings ? Nah don't be silly, this was just an argument, ppl don't have always the same ideas, and talk about it makes it most of the time fun, and you can learn from it
You even came up with a good idea, should have thought about the usb, darn. Or for more speed, you could do it with your firewire, the 1394 connection

You can always place a router behind a router. The net is basically a huuuge collection of routers. Just more advanced,powerfull and complex.
you should connect your isp to the wan and your 2 pc's to the lan of the router. Check the manual for the url of the config site, and set your pc's on automatic IP's.

The vpn software sounds indeed nice, but kinda useless, vpn isn't about sharing files, its about transporting data secure.
vpn is a tunnel, a secure tunnel of data from one point to another point. Mostly in cooperation with a firewall/router. How will the data transfer go ? Will it stay on his switch or go thro the slow connection of his isp ?

 

[clif]

Here's the solution. I set the internet connection to automatic IP. This PPPOE connection goes to my switch then to the ISP switch then to their POP station in somewhere land. I didn't change a thing on this from what was already configured.

Second, I configured the LAN connection adaptor with unique IP addresses for each PC: for example, 202.53.174.25 and 26. I made both sub masks the same. I made the default gateway the same as the IP address on each PC.

Here's the catch, the only way to see the computers as a workgroup is to ensure the internet connection is OFF. If the connnection is OFF then the LAN is available. If it is not OFF then there is a conflict with IP addresses because the ISP is serving IPs.

Thanks for everyones help.

Clif

 

[jjw]

Second, I configured the LAN connection adaptor with unique IP addresses for each PC: for example, 202.53.174.25 and 26. I made both sub masks the same. I made the default gateway the same as the IP address on each PC.
Clif

Try manually assigning a Private IP address That is in a different range than what your ISP assigns.

202.53.174.25/26 is a public IP address.

 

[clif]

What advantage will it give by changing to a private IP address? The config appears to work. But, I am open to new ideas.

C

 

[jjw]

The reason for using a private IP address is mainly to avoid conflicts with public addresses.

Example:

If you set one of your IP addresses to the public address of 64.233.167.99 you may have a problem when you try to access google.com

Your computer will go to the DNS server to lookup the address for google, the IP address returned for Google will be 64.233.167.99 (or another of their many addresses). Your PC will then look for that IP address on YOUR network since your subnetwork and mask would match. IF you had a webserver on your local network (inTRA-Net), then you might see your own homepage!


Private IP addresses avoid these issues.