Win98SE and Win-XP in same network?

I have two computers on W98SE coupled in a 'Peer' network set-up with NetBEUI - it works great and I'm very pleased with the network set-up.
I am planning to replace one of the computers with a new model which will probably come with Win-XP.
Question: Will I be able to continue to operate my network with one computer on W98SE and the other on Win-XP ???
I really do not want to give up W98SE because I still have some DOS applications and I have heard/read that Win-XP does not operate under DOS.

 

You'll be fine. Networks don't care about OS's since they make every member use the same protocol. Generally tcp/ip.

 

Keep in mind that NetBEUI in XP is unsupported and Microsoft won't give you support if you have problems with it. NetBEUI isn't listed with the default protocols when you install Windows XP but it's available from the XP CD installation media if you really need it.

All networking functions are available using TCP/IP as the only network protocol. I encourge you to move away with NetBEUI and use TCP/IP which is the preferred protocol. The key to Windows networking is to use the same protocol on all machines.

 

SurferDude2 and ECross: Many thanks for your replies - much appreciated.

The reason that I set-up my network on NetBEUI is an article that I read by 'PracticallyNetworked' titled 'Should I use NetBEUI'. What they had to say about Internet/Network security was certainly borne out when I ran 'Shields Up!' by Gibson Research Corp.:

Report from 'Shields Up' at www.grc.com:
1. Preliminary Internet Connection refused.
'This is extremely favorable for your system's overall Windows File and Printer sharing security. Most Windows systems with the Network Neighborhood installed hold the NetBIOS port 139 wide open to passing traffic. Your system has firmly closed the dangerous port 139 to all passersby - Congratulations.'

By the way, I do not have a firewall/router per se but start-up with AVG and TeaTimer resident and twice-a-week I run Ad-Aware (full scan), AVG, SpyBot, SpywareBlaster and RegClean. Once a week - Disk Cleanup, Scan Disk, Disk Defragmenter. Every week - regardless.

2. Unable to connect with NetBIOS to your computer.
'All attempts to get any information from your computer have failed (very uncommon for a Windows net-working PC). This computer is very secure and not exposing any of it's internal NetBIOS networking protocol over the internet.'

I am not knowledgeable enough to know if the above attributes to NetBEUI or whether I would get the same results with TCP-IP.

 

I do not know a Dial-UP Internet but with DSL or Cable I think a better way to set up a LAN ( Local Area Network ) is to use a Router.

Set it up as a DHCP server. Set the NIC in each machine to AUTO address and let it take care of addressing. Just need to NAME the PCs.

I have a Router with a Printer, Win98FE machine. a 98SE machine and an XP Pro machine hooked to it and works very well.

Also works great for playing games etc. especially when I can beat my Wife

The Printer ( HP 5850 ) is left on at all times so others can use it,

Having a Network Printer saves A LOT of problems connected with SHARING. And no one machine has to be left on for the others to use the Printer.

I am now thinking about getting a Networkable Scanner.

BillyBob

 

I forgot the rest of the deal.

The Router is connected to the Modem. And ANY Machine can get to the Internet at any time with out any other machine being on.

Shraring is nice. But the Router is better I believe. Because no machine depends on anybody for anything. Each machine is a Stand Alone just as if the others did not exist.

But also. It is possible to have all machines on the Internet at the same time ( using the Router )

Again. I do not know if this setup will work with Dial-UP.

BillyBob

 

TCP/IP is unsafe only when the following are true:

1. The computers are connected to a hub or switch, and a DSL or cable modem is connected to the uplink port.
2. Each computer receives its own public IP address from your Internet service provider.
3. There's no hardware or software firewall blocking outside access.
In that case, use NWLink IPX/SPX or NetBEUI for file sharing and un-bind file sharing from TCP/IP.

Another possibility is to use IPX/SPX on both computers. It is a supported protocol in all versions of Windows. All three protocols supports file and printer sharing. It's just as simple to install. In addition, it's a good idea to have a software firewall installed on the machines.

 

I may be learning here too.

I agree. Even with a Router with a Hardware Firewall it is still better to have a Software Firewall also. As the Router only blocks incoming.

That does not happen with a Router. The DHCP server assigns each machine and address which IS NOT public. I believe the public address stops at the Router.

With just a switch I believe each machine would then be assigned a public address. I am not sure about that.

Also with just a switch ( I am NOT sure here either as I have a switch plugged into the Router ) but I do not think you could have more than one machine online at the same time.

BillyBob

 

As to SHARING I stay out of that because I have NOTHING shared.

That is nothing permanently anyway. But I can set things up to be shared if I wish to. But I have no need to.

BillyBob

 

That goes for both the Printer AND the Internet..

BB

 

Very true. A router will only blocking incoming traffic from the Internet. What if a malicious program makes it passed your router and onto your internal network? A software firewall can also protect your computers from unauthorized traffic both from the Internet and your internal network. If a malicious program makes it on to one of your networked computers, it could potentially spread to the other computers on your network.

In addition, if a malicious program gets onto your computer in the first place, you've already lost the battle. Layer your defenses. Don't let it get as far as attempting make an outgoing connection.

 

This is one reason that I shy away from permanenet SHARING. No one PC can get to the other without being connected by IP address which is provided by the DHCP of the Router. And again IS NOT a public address.

On ocassion I do set a Drive on Nancys' machine to transfer some backup or downloaded. But then disable it again.

When we play games we have to connect to each other just like We do when we play Golf with the Friend in Canada. It uses IP address. This address is I believe a public address.

One starts the game ( makes the IP available I guess ) and the other connects.

And believe me the WRONG one does not work. A , instead of A . will frustrate me every time.

HOLY MACKERAL. I am running LATE. Gotta go.

BillyBob