The below tutorial is for setting up a LAN without sharing a internet connection.Other purposes could be well served by selecting properly through the Network Setup Wizard.
Network Setup Wizard:
You can use the Network Setup Wizard to make things easier.To access it
1.Start>Control Panel>Network Connections>Network Setup Wizard
Click Next.
2.Under the "Select the connection method", choose "other" & click next.
Also under "Other internet connection methods" choose "This computer belongs to a network that does not have a network connection" & click next.
3.Under "Your computer has multiple connections" select "let me choose the connections to my network" & click next.
Uncheck any connection if present under "Select the connections to bridge" & click next.
4.Assigning a computer & workgroups names:Give a description if you want & give a unique computer name.
Ex.Computer Description: My Network
Computer Name: YOUR_COMPUTER_NAME
Note:Make sure both computers have unique computer names.
The workgroup name has to be the same on both pc's.By default it will be MSHOME.Keep it as it is or
change it if you want.
5.Next apply the network settings by clicking next.It should now tell you "You're almost done".
Since you have XP SP2 under each pc,choose the last option.
It will ask you to restart,kindly do so.Perform the same operations for the second pc.
The LAN connectiong should be listed under network connections after you restart.Configure the properties of both & carry out the below tasks.
6.Instalingl the necessary protocols if not installed.You will be needing:
1.Internet Protocol [TCP/IP]
2.File & Printer Sharing
3.Client for Microsoft Networks
Note:You can also install NetbEUI instead of TCP/IP.But infuture if you want to have internet
connectivity you will need TCP/IP just because NetBEUI isnt a routable protocol
If any of the above are not listed then install them from install button.
7.Configuring the TCP/IP Properties: Under the TCP/IP properties,check "Use the following IP address" & issue a static IP along with the
respective subnet mask.
You can choose from the following range of private addresses.
10.0.0.0-10.255.255.255
172.16.0.0-172.31.255.255.255
192.168.0.0-192.168.255.255
Though the valid range technically starts from 1,as 10.0.0.1 & ends at 10.255.255.254
You can choose any but commonly 192.168.0.x range is pretty much used.
IP Address: 192.168.0.1
Subnet mask: 255.255.255.0
For the second pc give
IP Address:192.168.0.2
Subnet mask:255.255.255.0
Disable Firewall:Also under the connection properties,under the advanced tab make sure the check box beneath "Internet Connection Firewall" is unchecked.Make sure you've also disabled any other firewall residing on the two systems.
Sharing resources: Share approapriate folders by right clicking them & choosing "Sharing & security"
Access computers through "My Network Places".I hope this helps you in configuring & implementing a network,if you have any problems shoot in this very thread.
*www.thinkdigit.com/forum/archive/index.php/t-6254.html
