Networking 3 computers

ssimlai · 05-02-2008, 05:31 PM

For my home studio, I need to network three PCs with three operating systems running on them, one with Windows XP Pro, the second with Windows XP Home and the third with Windows 98. I do not need to use Internet Connection Sharing as I have separate wireless adaptors for each one and only when needed for driver updates. Therefore I do not want to use the general purpose router that I have at home for this network.

Like one can network 2 PCs in a crossover network, is there a way to do a simple network of three PCs?

**johnwill** · 05-03-2008, 08:25 AM

Sure, connect all three to a simple network switch. Manually configure the wired connection IP addresses as follows.

PC #1
IP Address: 192.168.4.1
Subnet Address: 255.255.255.0
Leave the Default Gateway and DNS Addresses blank.

PC #2
IP Address: 192.168.4.2
Subnet Address: 255.255.255.0
Leave the Default Gateway and DNS Addresses blank.

PC #3
IP Address: 192.168.4.3
Subnet Address: 255.255.255.0
Leave the Default Gateway and DNS Addresses blank.

Make sure that NETBIOS over TCP/IP is enabled on all machines.

This will allow file/print sharing between the machines, and Internet requests will be routed through the wireless cards.

ssimlai · 05-03-2008, 10:20 AM

Thanks for your reply. However for the wireless network for three other general PCs/laptops the available IP addresses that I have been allotted by my services provider are in the range 192.168.1.50 to 192.168.1.99. Currently I am already using IP addresses from this range, manually configured.

But you suggested another range of IP addresses above. Is it because these addresses should be different from the wireless network addresses?

**johnwill** · 05-03-2008, 12:39 PM

Yes, I picked them out of a hat, I just wanted to have a private IP address subnet, and not have it conflict with the wireless network.

You don't need to use IP addresses in the 192.168.1.x range for the private network, and it's probably better not to. Did you try my suggestion?

ssimlai · 05-03-2008, 07:58 PM

Thanks. After you replied I went to purchase a switch. Got one from Linksys 8 port as I have the NAS drive etc. I saw in the photo on the box that it is possible to even plug the wireless router into the switch. What would that be for?

Will keep you posted.

**johnwill** · 05-04-2008, 01:51 PM

Hard to say, it depends on how things are configured.

05-02-2008, 05:31 PM	#1 (permalink)
ssimlai Registered User Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Singapore Posts: 10 OS: WIN XP PRO SP2	Networking 3 computers For my home studio, I need to network three PCs with three operating systems running on them, one with Windows XP Pro, the second with Windows XP Home and the third with Windows 98. I do not need to use Internet Connection Sharing as I have separate wireless adaptors for each one and only when needed for driver updates. Therefore I do not want to use the general purpose router that I have at home for this network. Like one can network 2 PCs in a crossover network, is there a way to do a simple network of three PCs?

05-03-2008, 08:25 AM	#2 (permalink)
johnwill Manager, Networking Forums Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: S.E. Pennsylvania, US Posts: 41,720 OS: Windows 7, XP-Pro, Vista, Linux Blog Entries: 1	Re: Networking 3 computers Sure, connect all three to a simple network switch. Manually configure the wired connection IP addresses as follows. PC #1 IP Address: 192.168.4.1 Subnet Address: 255.255.255.0 Leave the Default Gateway and DNS Addresses blank. PC #2 IP Address: 192.168.4.2 Subnet Address: 255.255.255.0 Leave the Default Gateway and DNS Addresses blank. PC #3 IP Address: 192.168.4.3 Subnet Address: 255.255.255.0 Leave the Default Gateway and DNS Addresses blank. Make sure that NETBIOS over TCP/IP is enabled on all machines. This will allow file/print sharing between the machines, and Internet requests will be routed through the wireless cards. __________________ If TSF has helped you, Tell us about it! or Donate to help keep the site up! Microsoft MVP - Windows Desktop Experience

05-03-2008, 10:20 AM	#3 (permalink)
ssimlai Registered User Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Singapore Posts: 10 OS: WIN XP PRO SP2	Re: Networking 3 computers Thanks for your reply. However for the wireless network for three other general PCs/laptops the available IP addresses that I have been allotted by my services provider are in the range 192.168.1.50 to 192.168.1.99. Currently I am already using IP addresses from this range, manually configured. But you suggested another range of IP addresses above. Is it because these addresses should be different from the wireless network addresses? Last edited by ssimlai; 05-03-2008 at 10:24 AM. Reason: Incomplete

05-03-2008, 12:39 PM	#4 (permalink)
johnwill Manager, Networking Forums Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: S.E. Pennsylvania, US Posts: 41,720 OS: Windows 7, XP-Pro, Vista, Linux Blog Entries: 1	Re: Networking 3 computers Yes, I picked them out of a hat, I just wanted to have a private IP address subnet, and not have it conflict with the wireless network. You don't need to use IP addresses in the 192.168.1.x range for the private network, and it's probably better not to. Did you try my suggestion? __________________ If TSF has helped you, Tell us about it! or Donate to help keep the site up! Microsoft MVP - Windows Desktop Experience

05-03-2008, 07:58 PM	#5 (permalink)
ssimlai Registered User Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Singapore Posts: 10 OS: WIN XP PRO SP2	Re: Networking 3 computers Thanks. After you replied I went to purchase a switch. Got one from Linksys 8 port as I have the NAS drive etc. I saw in the photo on the box that it is possible to even plug the wireless router into the switch. What would that be for? Will keep you posted.

05-04-2008, 01:51 PM	#6 (permalink)
johnwill Manager, Networking Forums Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: S.E. Pennsylvania, US Posts: 41,720 OS: Windows 7, XP-Pro, Vista, Linux Blog Entries: 1	Re: Networking 3 computers Hard to say, it depends on how things are configured. __________________ If TSF has helped you, Tell us about it! or Donate to help keep the site up! Microsoft MVP - Windows Desktop Experience