xp or any network with tcp/ip

simple question I hope. Can you set up a small tcp/ip network without a router if all of the computers are on the same subnet?
I would keep the gateway address blank. I know I have seen this work but would it work consistantly?

ps for file sharing - not internet access.

sam

 

on xp setting up a network no prob, you can use a hub if you have more than two pc's or just cross over cat 5 cable. then just run xp network wizard, share drives and or folders

 

samcoinc - as long as they are on the same network (IP addresses fall into the same subnet) it will work fine and should be very stable.

Probably easiest to use 192.168.0.x (where "x" is any number from 1 to 254) and a subnet mask of 255.255.255.0.

Same workgroup name for all and different PC names for each - best to use 15 or fewer character names and only alpha-numeric characters without spaces or strange symbols.

For 9X systems, as long as you load client for microsoft networking and share something, you are good to go.

With any NT systems (NT4/2K/XP) in the mix, you will have to make sure all PCs are logging on with username and password and that the NT system knows the username/password. You can either use the exact same logon for all or put each one in the local users section of each NT system.

 

Thanks

They will be all in the same subnet. (just 4 or so computers)
did not want to use netbeui. Just wasn't sure if a router needed to be present if they are all in the same subnet.
Will be trying it this weekend.

sam

 

A router is only needed if you need to "route" packets from one network to another.

 

ok I have been goofing around with it. I had 3 computers set up with the same workgroup and user names. I set up only tcpip with ip address of 192.168.0.100 - 102. mask of 255.255.255.0 no gateway address. Here is what was happening. I could share a directory on the "main server" computer. I then maped that directory on the two "workstations ". I have a database program that runs off the main server (wrote in ms-access). If I try to run the database off of one of the workstations it says "database cant be found" . I look in my computer and the mapped drive is got an x under it saying that is not connected. Here is the wierd thing. I click on the drive and it opens up. Now the database works. If I reboot the same thing happens. can't run the database until I open up the mapped drive on the computer. then it is connected again.

This all stopped when I added xp ipx/spx/netbuoi protocal. The drive is mapped and connected at bootup. the database program works the first time with out opening the mapped drive.

odd
thanks
sam

 

It still seems to do it (map a drive and It doen't connect until you open the mapped drive). It doesn't do it very often but still does. Could it be an xp thing?
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;330519
This kind of sounds like it. What do you guys think. (I do have a router hooked up now and both tcpip and ipx/spx/netboui installed and setup). Internet is working also now. Am I going to have to wait for the next sp?

sam

 

Have you tried creating a shortcut to the database using a UNC path instead of mapping a drive? For example, if you share the folder containing the database on computer1 as "mydata" go to Start > Run... and enter \\computer1\mydata OR \\192.168.0.100\mydata then create your shortcut.

The autodisconnect feature of mapped drives can be modified in the registry as described in 314498 138365

 

unixfan
When I first read your post I was thinking that it wouldn't work for my aplication. Now that I think about it I think it could work. If they keep having problems with it I will try that.

thanks

sam

 

Sam - a few apps refuse to work with a UNC shortcut. Has to do with the way the code is written and mostly older stuff.

But most apps are perfectly happy with it. And if the start~run thing works, you can just set up shortcuts on the desktop with the UNC path to the app.