networking configuration?

[star_get1]

hi, i'm a newbie in networking stuff...

as far as i know, if I want to do networking with only two computers together,each computer needs
an Ethernet network card inside, and then, I can run a crossover cable between them.
Let say, I have done those cables thing, the question is,

how do I configure the IP address so that both computers can "communicate" with each other?

besides configuring the network, what are the things that I need to do to make sure my two computers will be able to "communicate" well with each other?
I'm using Windows XP pro..

can someone please guide me steps by steps..?

thank you..

[richard.s]

Well you would find the wizard to be more easier, im guesing both systems are running on windows xp pro, so heres what you do with the mouse ofcourse:

Start > All Programs > Accessories > Communications > Network Setup Wizard

Do it on both systems, if not you could go the manual way, im not a expert at this thing, but by reading alot of articles on this forum has give me a bright idea.

Ok

Start > Control Panel > Network and Internet Connections > Network Connections > Then right click your Network Card go to Properties in the white box click on "Internet Protocols (TCP/IP)" Click on the properties button, Click on the second radio button which says "Use the following IP Address"

Fill in this:
IP Address: 192.168.1.1
Subnet Mask: 255.255.255.0
Default Gateway: 192.168.1.0

Thats for computer A or 1 if u wish. On the second computer go into the same settings but do the following fill ins:
IP Address: 192.168.1.2
Subnet Mask :255.255.255.0
Default Gateway: 192.168.1.0

I am only fifteen years old, but i should be corrrect, as i am really studying into networking, as i want to become a Network Administrator i hope one of the techies will correct me or tell me if i was correct.

Thanks Richard

[Chevy]

Just one error that I see:

192.168.1.0/24 (255.255.255.0) is the network address, so it could not be assigned to a host.

But, that doesn't matter in this case, as you do not need to assign a gateway at all, as there is no physical path off of this type of network.

So, leave the gateway entry blank.

[star_get1]

alright, thank you very much for the guidance.. I still have something to ask..

you mentioned

IP Address: 192.168.1.1
Subnet Mask: 255.255.255.0

why must it be 192.168.1.1 and subnet mask 255.255.255.0?

is it fixed that the numbers are set to be like that? or can I just use any number in between 0 to 255?

btw, what is subnet mask and the purpose of configuring it?
must the numbers for subnet mask be 255 for all of the three?

thank you..your advice is very much appreciated.

[johnwill]

You can use most any IP address, but the subnet masks must match. The reason for using 192.168.x.x is that these addresses are reserved for private networks, and are not routable. The two IP addresses must be in the same subnet, and be different. For the subnet mask of 255.255.255.0, your IP address can be anything from 192.168.0.1 through 192.168.0.254 for each machine. The "0" in this address could be any number, but must be the same for all machines on the subnet.

A subnet mask of 255.255.255.0 indicates a class C network, with a maximum of 254 machines, plenty for your two machine configuration.

[crazijoe]

This should help you with IP addresses and subnetting.

http://www.cisco.com/warp/public/701/3.html

[bakedbeans]

if you still reading this

just hook the computers together and run the networking wizard thats all you ever have to do
oh and there is one more thing you have to install if it isnt already in network conections but i will get back on that later

[johnwill]

Originally Posted by bakedbeans

if you still reading this

just hook the computers together and run the networking wizard thats all you ever have to do

That's really funny, too bad it's total BS. More times than not, the networking wizard behaves more like the Devil.

[ramasesuk]

never a truer word said

[ramasesuk]

Originally Posted by johnwill

That's really funny, too bad it's total BS. More times than not, the networking wizard behaves more like the Devil.

never a truer word said. i have tried the wizard hundreds of times and the host pc has no or little connectivity(something about not getting the ip address) although earlier it connected for about an hour untill i restarted the pc,but the other pc on the network lost all files in the network folders although i could send files to that pc a soon as i lost connectivity the files reappeard. would the settings mentioned by richard s work for mine which connects to the internet coz the other pc couldn't connect through this one