How to configure peer to peer workgroup network step by step GuideWorkgroup networking is the most essentials part of computer networking. From our tutorials on workgroup networking in this article we would set up a practice workgroup network in lab environment. For this practice you need 4 computers, internet connection, printer and installation media of XP professional and Vista. You could use Vmware or any other virtual pc software to simulate the computers if you are doing this practice on a single pc. I personally prefer Vmware. If you are setting up this network in real life environment like cyber café or any small office consider the following approach before taking any final decision on workgroup network Determine your requirements Choose between wired and wireless media Map your physical network Map your logical network Create a utilization plan I assume that you have gone through these steps and come up with a plan to use 4 computers with star topology for this network. Computers 4 With any descriptive Name Operating system windows XP professional and vista Topology Printer Modem Star One One Workgroup Name SOFTWARE Now it's time to implement our workgroup network Install XP professional on three systems and Vista on one system. During the installation process computer and workgroup name are automatically generated. You could use these names but it would be better to have a good and descriptive name. To change computer and workgroup name Right-click on My Computer and select Properties, or open the System applet from Control Panel. Select the Computer Name tab ==> click Change to open the Computer Name Changes dialog box. Follow this guideline while choosing name for computer and workgroup Computer name should be unique in a workgroup. Workgroup name should be same for all computer. Workgroup name may be up to 15 characters long and may contain any alphanumeric (a-z and 0-9) characters, as well as special characters except for ; : " < > * + = \ | ?. Computer name can be up to 15 characters long and have the same naming restrictions as workgroup. In addition, the computer name cannot be the same as the workgroup name. Enter a new computer name in the Computer Name field and new workgroup name in Workgroup field and click OK. You will be prompted to restart your computer to complete the name change. Click yes to restart your computer. We have completed our first necessary step. Now its time to configure LAN card. Configure LAN card First check LAN card driver Right Click on My Computer ==> properties ==> Hardware ==> Device manager ==> Network Adaptor ==> Check here (also check under the other devices tag) Situation:- Showing Showing with Red Cross Description:.Description:.LAN card driver is corrupted Solution:. Situation:.Install lan card driver.Either cable is unplugged or LAN card is disabled Solution:.My network places ==> properties ==> local area connection ==> right click ==> Enable (Follow only if Lan card is disable ) Check whether network cable is plugged or not .Installed and working properly Situation:-Showing with Yellow sign Description:. Situation:-Not Showing Description:.Installed and working properly .LAN card is not detected yet (Check for physical installation) Solution:.Showing Description:.Open the cabinet and check for physical detection Check Bios ==> On bord Lan Option should be enable Checking LAN card in Network place How to show my network place on Desktop? Right click on the free space of desktop ==>Customize desktop ==>check mark on My network places ==> Apply ==> Ok My network place ==> properties ==>local area connection Situation:. Situation:-Showing with Red Cross Description:-cable is unplugged Solution:-Check whether network cable is plugged or not Situation:-Showing with Yellow sign Description:-LAN is working on Automatic private IP.assign manually IP address Situation:-Showing with disable Description:-LAN is disabled Solution:-My network places ==> Local area connection ==> Right click ==> Enable (Follow only if Lan card is disable ) Situation:-Showing with firewall . Solution:. To turn off firewall My network place ==> properties ==>local area connection ==> properties ==>Aadvanced ==>Settings Genral==> Off Next step is to check 4 necessary configuration in LAN card properties LAN cards drives Client for Microsoft network File and printer sharing services Internet protocols (TCP/IP) .Description:-LAN is firewall protected Solution:-There is no need to on firewall unless you are connecting with internet. In this article we would configure IP address and Run Set up a home or small office Network Wizard.If you don't found any of these here and than install that by using install button before going further Once you have completed these steps than go to our next article How to configure peer to peer workgroup network step by step Guide PartII In our previous article we have completed the perquisite of peer to peer workgroup network. Configure IP address Select the Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) and click Properties. You will be presented with the following dialog box: . 56.168.Use the following IP address or choose the IP address you have been assigned by your company PC1-LAN1 IP address Subnet mask Default Gateway 192.168.3 192.56.56.3 ----------192.1.168.0 192.255.1.6 202.255.1.1.255.168.168.1.1.255.0 255.168.168.255.1.255.1.168.1.5 PC4 192.1. In this article we would configure IP address and Run Set up a home or small office Network Wizard.3 ----------- Preferred DNS server 202. Configure IP address Select the Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) and click Properties.3 192.1. You will be presented with the following dialog box: .2 255.230.3 192.3 255.255.1.255.255.153 192.0 192.4 PC3 192.56.224.0 255.168.3 Alternate DNS server 202.168.168.168.1 PC1-LAN2 192.1.6 255.224.230.0 192.6 ----------- In our previous article we have completed the perquisite of peer to peer workgroup network.168.1 PC2 192.255.153 202. 1 PC2 192.1.224.1 PC1-LAN2 192. Share printer.1.0 192.56.255.168.0 192.1.3 192.1.3 Alternate DNS server 202.6 255.255. To Run this wizard My Network Place ==> Properties ==> Set up a home or small office network wizard ==> Click on Next .168.2 255.153 202.1.255.Use the following IP address or choose the IP address you have been assigned by your company PC1-LAN1 IP address Subnet mask Default Gateway 192. By This wizard you can share internet connection.3 192.1.1.255.5 PC4 192.168.255.3 ----------- Preferred DNS server 202.1.168.1.230.56.255. share file and folder.56.168. set up widows firewall.255.255.168.3 255.168.0 255.0 255.168.Run Set up a home or small office Network Wizard XP have a nice feature to make your tasks much easier called set up a home or small office network wizard.168.230.168.56.4 PC3 192.168.1.0 192.255.1.3 ----------192.224.3 192.153 192.6 202.1.168.6 ----------- Next Step:.168.1.255. Here your are asked to check all necessary components In this step select the statement that meet your internet requirement . You should choose first option when your computer is directly connected to internet as shown in figure You should choose second option when your computer is connected to internet via other computer as shown in figure . for this use my computer’s properties ) .In this step you can change computer name ( Not recommended. Now set correct workgroup name (Default will be MSHOME) This is the summary of options you have selected if you have made any mistake go back and correct Wizard is setting up your workgroup . Choose last option to finish this wizard Click on finish . You need to make these setting in vista manually. Vista does not have any inbuilt wizard to configure workgroup networking automatically. In this article we would configure Vista to join our workgroup network.As the system setting has changed you should be prompt for restart Click on yes How to configure peer to peer workgroup network step by step Guide part-III In our previous articles we have configured workgroup networking for XP. On Vista Follow these Steps . On Desktop ==> Select My Computer ==> Right Click ==> Select properties Select Change Setting ( administrative permission will be require ) . Save the change ( Reboot will require) .Click on Change Change Computer name and workgroup name as per guideline given in previous article . After Reboot ==> Right Click on My Network Place ==> Properties Now trun on Network discovery. Printer Sharing . File sharing. Click on Manage network connections Select Local Area Connection ==> Properties ( all possible sitution of LAN card will be same as XP ) . By Default vista will include More options used for IPv6 ( Just uncheck these options ) select Internet Protocol version 4 (TCP/IPv4) ==> properties . now give the IP address ==> ok ==> ok Now open My network place ==> Click to change Select Turn on network discovery and file sharing If you could see all computers in my network place than its times to cheers you have successfully configured workgroup Share files folder devices printers in peer to peer workgroup network We have configured workgroup network. Now in this article we would share file, folder and printer in workgroup network. In Window XP home edition we only have Simple File Sharing option which does not allow us to password protect the shared resources. In Window XP professional we could use advance file sharing to password protect the shared resources. Enable Simple File Sharing on Windows XP Professional Simple file sharing is the only available option in XP home edition and its also selected as default option in professional edition. So we would use simple file sharing in our example. On Xp professional you could check simple file sharing status by going to the Tools menu in Windows Explorer and selecting Folder Options. Select the View tab and scroll to the bottom of the options. Check the box next to Use Simple File Sharing Recommended. how can we use special file sharing permission in workgroup ? Ans. Just uncheck this option Share file and folder in workgroup network Right click on the folder which you want to share and select Sharing and Security .Trick :. Click on "If you understand the security risks but want to share files without running the wizard.You may get following window if file sharing is not enabled yet. A hand would appear just under the folder once it is shared. Click on the check box next to Allow Network Users To Change My Files. and click on ok. Select Just Enable File Sharing Default sharing mode is read only. . In read only mode users can see the shared files and folders but they would not allow to modify them. See our previous article if you would like to use Network Setup Wizard." For security reason it would prompt you to use Network Setup Wizard to enable file and sharing. click here. And check it in printer and fax. In my network place you would see all computers of workgroup network. To install local printer connect it with system. How to share printer in workgroup network Local printer is the printer that is attached with system directly.To view this shared folder on other workgroup computer open my network. Open the computer from which you have just shared the folder . Start ==> Setting ==> printer and faxes . Network printer is the printer that is attached with other system and use local printer via network. Installing Local printer Local printer is required before you share it on network. You need to install it manually.If you did not see any printer here it means system has not detected the printer yet. Click on add a printer This will launch add printer wizard . Select Local printer attached to this computer Select the port on which you have attached the printer . if you have printer driver CD then use have disk options give any name to your printer for example OfficePrinter. any thing that is close to your specification .Select the manufacturer and model of your printer. LabPrinter. If you want to print test page then choose Yes otherwise select No Click on Finish to complete the Wizard . Before sharing on network it's best practice to test the printer. . Right-click on the printer and select Sharing. Do some printing. Share Printer in workgroup network Sharing a printer is similar to sharing the folder. ....... Select Share This Printer.. Provide a name for the shared printer and Click OK . Click on If you understand the security risks....You will see the following dialog box...... sharing hand will appear under your printer Installing Network printer Network printer will be installed on all other computers. To install a network printer Start ==> Setting ==> printer and faxes ==> Add a printer ==> Select Network printer . If you know the exact path of printer than type it otherwise Select Browse for a printer Select the printer . If you want to print test page than choose Yes otherwise select No Click on Finish to complete the Wizard . It is not available in XP home edition. RDP allow you to share the desktop. Right click on printer and select make it default. With RDP you could access desktop from any computers. You could make it default printer.Click on finish. Now you have installed the network printer. Click Start ==> Select All Programs ==> Select Microsoft Update ==>Select Scan For Updates ==> Install all critical updates on the host system. . To enable it follow these steps: Start ==> Control Panel ==> Select Add Or Remove Programs ==> Select Add/Remove Windows Components ==> Select Internet Information Services ==> Click the Details button ==> Select World Wide Web Service ==> Click the Details button ==> Check the Remote Desktop Web Connection checkbox ==> Click OK ==>Click Next ==> Click Finish to complete the wizard To make this update either restart the computer or follow these steps Click Start ==> Select Run ==> Enter Net Stop w3svc ==> click the OK button or press Enter. Click Start ==> Select Run ==> Enter Net Start w3svc ==> click the OK button. How to configure Remote Desktop RDP Step By Step Guide RDP remote desktop protocol is a nice feature of XP professional. You need to enable it before use. Once RDP is install you could access it by clicking Start ==> Programs ==> Accessories ==> Communications ==> Remote Desktop Connection or by opening a command prompt and typing mstsc. Click Start. Access the Windows Firewall menu (by clicking Windows Firewall using Control Panel's Category View or by clickingSecurity Center and selecting Windows Firewall using the Classic Vew). To configure windows firewall follow these steps : Click Start. Click Finish.Installing Remote Desktop connection on non-XP systems As I previously said RDP is a feature of XP Professional. Click Control Panel. it's usually best that port 3389 (and port 80) be opened to enable Terminal Services traffic (and the connection to the Remote Desktop application). Confirm the Remote Desktop checkbox is checked and isn't overridden by a group policy. When working with other firewalls. If you are using RDP only in local network with trusted computers than you could turn off the window firewall. On other system you need to install it separately form the CD of XP Professional . Read and accept the license agreement and click Next. Enter the customer name and organization. The InstallShield Wizard will open. click Next on the Welcome To The InstallShield Wizard for Remote Desktop Connection. But good thing about it is you could install it on other platform also. click Perform Additional Tasks. Click Setup Remote Desktop Connection from the What Do You Want To Do Screen. This is especially true when attempting to connect to Small Business Server 2003 desktops. Enabling user access Create an user account with administrative privilege. Firewall settings Window firewall must be open for RDP before you start working with RDP. Click Install. Click Control Panel. Click the Exceptions tab. Click User accounts . To install the RDP follow these steps: Insert Windows XP Professional CD in CD or DVD drive. and specify whether the desktop connection is to be available to all users or only the logged in user and click Next. But if you are using RDP over the un-trusted network its better to use firewall. On Welcome To Microsoft Windows XP screen. You could either turn off the firewall or configure it to allow the RDP. Click on Create a new account Enter the name for new account Now create password for this account . .By default remote access is disabled. We need to enable it from my computer properties Right click on My Computer and select properties Click the Remote tab. Click the Select Remote Users button Click the Add button. Checked the Allow Users To Connect Remotely To This Computer. .Now click on advance Now we need to add our user in Remote desktop users group which by default have permission to access system remotely. Click Remote Desktop Connection. Alternatively. . any members of the Administrators group can connect to the system. Click All Programs. Select Run. Click Accessories. Click OK to close the Select Users window. one can: Click Start. Click OK to close the Remote Desktop Users window By default. Typing mstsc and click OK. Now go on other computer and follow these steps to access that computer remotely Click on Start. Connecting with Remote Desktop from other computer We have successfully configured RDP. Click Communications. even if they're not specifically authorized using the Remote Desktop Users window. Type the ip address of the computer where we have configured RDP Give the user name and password Now you can access computer . when you have finished you can disconnects the session. start ==> Disconnects . How to configure Share My Dial Up Internet Connection step by step Guides In this article we would share dial up internet connection. In this article we would use window xp as internet gateway. If you have installed an Internet gateway. How to make dial up connection in XP? To connect with internet via dial-up follow these steps:Physically attach the modem and install driver My network place ==> properties Click on Create a new connection Click on Next . We have configured workgroup and shared folder and printer in our previous article. Sharing internet connection is the next logical step in getting everybody online. chances are that you are already online. Windows XP Internet Connection Sharing allows your computer to function as an Internet gateway. Choose Connect to the internet Now choose Connect using a dial-up modem . Select Set up my connection manually Fill your ISP's name . Now fill the number provided by your ISP Check mark the Add a shortcut to this connection to my desktop . Now you can dial from your desktop directly Double click on short-cut Give your user name and password ( will be provided by your ISP's) . Now you can see dialing process In few seconds you would be connected with internet . How to share the dial up connections? My network places ==> properties ==> Right-click your Internet connection and select Properties. . Click “Allow other network users to connect through this computer’s Internet connection.Click the Advanced tab and you will see the following dialog box. . Suppose the server IP in the LAN is 192.1.youngzsoft. How to configure ccproxy proxey server step by step Guides In our previous article we have shared dial up connection.1.168.2 is the proxy server address. and then 192.Internet connection sharing will change ip address to 192. Make sure that all clients within LAN are able to access the Server.0.exe . We would use CCProxy server in this article. Run ccproxysetup. On all other computers of workgroup network you only need to set ip address to obtain ip address automatically.1 and enable a simple DHCP server. The special point is CCProxy provides 3-user free version of proxy server software. http://www.169.net/ccproxy/ The server is the computer that can access the Internet directly in our Example it is PC1 . You could download it form here.3. In this article we would share internet connection trough proxy server.168. Click on Next Select the destination path and Click on Next this will install CCProxy . Click on finish to lanch CCProxy Add client's IP into CCProxy . click "Account" button. Select "Permit Only" in "Permit Category" and select "IP Address" in "Auth Type".168. CCProxy has many useful functions. As proxy server software.168. It's not only Internet connection sharing software. click "Save" and "OK" button CCProxy Server Configuration We will explain the functions of CCProxy in this section.4" in the "IP Address/IP Range". but also Internet access control software. Click "New" button. .Choose one computer in the LAN that needs to access the Internet. fill"192.4 Open CCProxy main window. Below we will introduce all functions of CCProxy.1. Suppose the IP address of the computer is 192.1. then popup "Account Manager" dialog box. 0/0: To display the number of online connections and accounts. Hide: To hide the interface. Register: To enter registration code. U: Double click this option to check for upgrade information. Help: Get help document. Product Logo Zone Display the product logo. The right number is the number of online accounts. If there is a new version. it will open the upgrade dialog box. The left number is the amount of online connections. System Information Zone . Options: To open the options dialog box. Green curve: the current number of connections. Account: To open the account dialog box. Monitor: To open the online logging monitor . Online Information Zone Yellow curve: the current amount of bandwidth.Toolbar Zone Start: To start CCProxy. Stop: To stop CCProxy. Time: To display the server time. DNS: To start DNS proxy service. . Auto Startup: If checked. you need to uncheck "Auto Detect" and choose the correct local IP address from the list. HTTP/RTSP: To start HTTP and RTSP proxy service and set proxy port. News: To start News and NNTP proxy service and set proxy port. You can select multiple IP addresses as the local IP address. IE access FTP site via FTP (Web) proxy service. If you check "Auto Detect". When you choose one local IP address.Options Dialog Box Mail: To start mail proxy service. Notes: FTP (Web) proxy service is different from FTP proxy service. FTP: To start FTP proxy service and set proxy port. Telnet: To start Telnet proxy service and set proxy port. FTP (Web) is used in IE browser. and FTP proxy service is used on FTP client software such as CuteFTP. CCProxy will auto detect which IP is the local IP address and display it in the combox list. Web Cached: If checked. Gopher: To start gopher proxy service and set proxy port. Port Map: To start port map service. CCProxy interface will start automatically when Windows starts up. Local IP Address: To display and set local IP address. you need to check the checkbox beside it. WS-FTP and etc. FTP (Web): To start web ftp proxy service and set proxy port. the HTTP proxy will load and store web pages to the proxy cache. NT Service: If this is checked. Remote Dial-up: To enable remote dial-up from clients. SSL) proxy service and set proxy port. SOCKS/MMS: To start SOCKS and MMS proxy service and set proxy port. Advanced: To open the advanced options dialog box. Secure: To start secure (HTTPS. You can click the "E" button to add or edit the port map rules. CCProxy will be run as Windows service. If you find that the result is incorrect. Network: To configure the proxy network settings such as server IP address binding. service. etc. Mail: To configure the mail proxy service.e. etc. log size. Others: To configure the other proxy settings such as interface language. Configure IE at client Go to client computer and Right Click on Internet Explorer select properties. Dial-up: To configure the dial-up service. i. Cascading: To configure the cascading proxy. You can change the mail proxy ports here. etc. log type. cache update time. i. also called parent proxy. cache size. .e. Log: To configure the proxy logging service. Cache: To configure the web-cached function. remote admin. socket idle timeout. 3" in "Address" and "808" in "Port". Click "OK" button in"Local Area Network (LAN) Settings" and "Internet Options" dialog boxes. Fill "192.Select "Connections".1. click "LAN Settings" button and open the "Local Area Network(LAN) Settings" dialog box. Check "Use a proxy server for your LAN". How to configure web proxy settings in Firefox? Open Firefox Click on Tools and Select Options .168. SOCKS Host:192. Port:1080 and select "SOCKS v5".168.1.Advanced==> General ==> Connections Settings: Select "Manual proxy configuration". .3. The other editboxes leave blank.
Comments
Report "How to Configure Peer to Peer Workgroup Network Step by Step Guide"