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Sharing files with a router?
Posted: Mon Aug 25, 2003 2:51 pm
by Executioner
I'm wondering if it's possible to list other pc's in my house on network neighborhood. Currently the way my DSL connections is setup as follows:
1. Both the DSL modem and router are located in my garage next to the box were the phone line comes in. From there, the main line is running to the DSL modem and then to the router right next to it. The extra phone lines in the house have been split for both data and voice. These lines come from the router to each room phone wall plug. I'm then able to plug in my phone line and my pc into these plugs.
2. In networkneighborhood, I only have TCP/IP for my internet connection tied to my network card, and I have dialup adapter also bound to TCP/IP.
TCP/IP-> 3Com Etherlink PCI TPC NIC (3c900b-TPC)
TCP/IP -> Dial-Up Adapter
Client for Microsoft Networks
File and printer sharing for Microsoft networks
Would I need to add another protocal, TCP/IP bound to my network card for LAN using the 192.168.0.xxx range?
Will my router be the gateway? If so, how do I determine the router's gateway? The router is a Siemens 4-port DSL/Cable router with built in print server.
DNS?
Sorry for all the questions, but before I got DSL in April, I was sharing my modem connection via my pc's on network neighborhood. All of us were able to share files and printers. Now with my current setup, there are zero pc's in network neighborhood.
I'm running Win98 (not se). The other pc's in my house are running Win98, Win2k, and XP.
Posted: Mon Aug 25, 2003 3:09 pm
by MegaVectra
Configure the router to forward the proper port to the internal LAN address of the server.
Posted: Mon Aug 25, 2003 8:20 pm
by FlyingPenguin
I'm not sure I follow.
You're just trying to share files and printers over an existing network right?
You have the DSL modem connected to the WAN jack on the router, and then all the computers connected to the switch side of the router, right?
I assume you're using DHCP on the router (the computers are all set to obtain the IP address and DNS automatically from the router) correct? This sets up the IP, DN and gateway automatically (the gateway is your router's IP).
And Internet access works fine on all computers, right?
No problem.
Client for Microsoft Networks & File and printer sharing for Microsoft networks must be installed on all the 98 systems. On 2K and XP systems you just need File and Printer sharing. All computers must have TCP/IP installed (which they should already have if they all currently have internet access).
All computers should also use the same Workgroup name.
That's it. You SHOULD see all computers in Network Neighborhood (or My Network Places on a Win2K or XP system).
Fair warning - the first release of Win98 was kind of buggy and it often would not show the other computers in network neighborhood (however it won't prevent them from appearing on the other computers).
If you still can't see any computers on the old 98 system then try doing a computer search (Start -> Search - > Search for other Computers) and do a search for the name of one of the other computers. Often 98 will find a computer that way but won't list it in network neighborhood.
If that doesn't work then I don't know what's wrong. Old 98 does handle networking poorly compared to 98SE and later versions. One workaroudn is to install the NetBEUI protocall on all your computers. 98 works very well sharing files via NetBEUI (you also leave TCP/Ip installed - you still need that for Internet access).
XP doesn't not include NetBEUI by default but you can still install it. Instructions here:
http://support.microsoft.com/default.as ... US;q301041
Posted: Mon Aug 25, 2003 11:28 pm
by Executioner
I assume you're using DHCP on the router (the computers are all set to obtain the IP address and DNS automatically from the router) correct? This sets up the IP, DN and gateway automatically (the gateway is your router's IP).
Yes, it's automatic for each pc. When I click on networkneighborhood, there is nothing there including my pc. Nada! I would expect at least my pc would show up.
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EDIT:
OK I got that fixed. I now have my pc showing up, but nothing else. My wife's pc which is right next to mine, has file and print sharing installed, but from her pc running Win2k, it does not see anything. I've keep the name of the network WORKGROUP.
I was thinking that I needed to assign it an internal IP address, but I guess I don't have to since the router is doing that automatically.
Posted: Tue Aug 26, 2003 7:40 am
by FlyingPenguin
Yup, with DHCP it's all automatic.
Are you sharing any printers or folders? You won't show up in Network Neighborhood unless you do.
Posted: Tue Aug 26, 2003 9:29 am
by MegaVectra
Man I need to read a liitle slower before answering. All I read was "Sharing files with a router?"

Posted: Tue Aug 26, 2003 1:24 pm
by Executioner
Originally posted by FlyingPenguin
Yup, with DHCP it's all automatic.
Are you sharing any printers or folders? You won't show up in Network Neighborhood unless you do.
Yep, sharing both printers and folders.
Originally posted byMegaVectra Man I need to read a liitle slower before answering. All I read was "Sharing files with a router?"
You know how to read? (j/k) hehe. I could not figure out a better way to title the subject matter.
I think why it does not work is the way the pc's receive their internet access. As I stated in my first post, the modem and router are in the garage. From there, the output from the router goes through the existing phone line to each jack in the house. I'm pretty sure that is why it does not work. Makes a real nice install because I don't have to cut up walls and such, as I'm using the existing phone line and each wall outlet for phone service in each room.
Me No Thinky It Gonna Worky..
Posted: Tue Aug 26, 2003 1:42 pm
by eGoCeNTRoNiX
I think I figured out what he's trying to say guys. Correct me if I'm wrong exec, but he's not using ANY Cat5 therefor no NICs, therefore no "true" network. So you'd have to connect all the PCs via Cat5 or wireless, I'd assume, to set them up on a network. I don't think they can communicate the appropriate info via the phone lines via the modems. But, I could be wrong. eGo
Re: Me No Thinky It Gonna Worky..
Posted: Tue Aug 26, 2003 5:04 pm
by Executioner
Originally posted by eGoCeNTRoNiX
I think I figured out what he's trying to say guys. Correct me if I'm wrong exec, but he's not using ANY Cat5 therefor no NICs, therefore no "true" network. So you'd have to connect all the PCs via Cat5 or wireless, I'd assume, to set them up on a network. I don't think they can communicate the appropriate info via the phone lines via the modems. But, I could be wrong. eGo
Correct! Thanks for clarifying this eGoCeNTRoNiX.
The only cat5 are the cables that go from the nic to the phone jack in the wall. So I'm correct in saying this type of setup will not work as a network environment. I have to go wireless, install another nic, or run cat5 to each pc. I guess I'll live without the internal network as I don't want to rip out walls to wire cat5 cable in a 2 story house.
eGo got one right? he he..
Posted: Tue Aug 26, 2003 5:51 pm
by eGoCeNTRoNiX
Yah, that is always a pain to do that kind of stuff.. Just some ideas, are the closets in these rooms right above each other by chance? If they are, you can drill holes in the floor of the closet to run your cables maybe and go into the closet from an outside wall or the attic? Dunno, just some thoughts.. eGo
Posted: Tue Aug 26, 2003 8:25 pm
by FlyingPenguin
No, I think it's even more bizarre than that Ego.
I'm totally lost.
EXEC: You're USING nics but instead of CAT5 you're using phone wires between the NICs and the network switch?!!! You're lucky it works at all.
CAT5 has twisted pairs - you can't just run it over any 2 pairs of wire - certainly not regular phone wire. The twisted pairs shield the cable. You're probably getting MAJOR packet loss. You won't notice it too badly for Internet access (although I bet your effective internet speed is pathetic with all the packet loss, and I'd hate to play a multiplayer game on it) but it's totally hopeless for file and printer sharing.
You have to run Cat5 from the network switch to each individual computer. Failing that you can go wireless. Wireless gets pricey, even as cheap as it's gotten. $70 - $90 for the Router/Access point and $50 - $60 for a wireless NIC for each computer.
Moreover, the range on these things is not so hot. The access point needs to be centrally located in the house (and if it's a multi-story it should be on the top floor). Bandwidth drops with signal strength, and a poor signal means intermittent connectivity.
You can use repeaters to carry the signal across the house but that's another $60 for each repeater (and you may need a couple).
Posted: Wed Aug 27, 2003 12:36 am
by Executioner
Hehe, but it works and I don't have packet loss. I play on line every day while downloading files with no problem from newsgroups. My ping with TFC would normally be 40-50, but if I download, the ping is now 100. Even my son who is sharing the connection is able to play on line as well with no problem. I have a typical DSL line of 80k/s down and 15k/s up. While downloading files from newsgroups, the connection speed is 80k/s.
The reason it was wired this way was to eliminate the need to cut holes in walls and such. I copied this setup from a guy at work. He's been running his for 2 years plus with no problem. He works in our Telecommunication Department at my place of employment, and does this for a living. He came over and wired it like this. The only computer that is not connected like this is the one in the garage. It has a 50 foot cat5 cable directly to the router, but all the other connections are using the existing phone line cable.
I'm not complaining since it works, but with the way it's wired, I can't have a true network.
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EDIT:
I talked with the guy at work that wired it, and he said the cable they used in my house was cat3 cable twisted pair. He said that is why it works. It's not as good as cat5, but it will work.