Networking with an Ethernet Switch?

littlerowboat · 01-14-2009, 07:46 AM

hi all,

I'm new here, and rather unfamiliar with computers; would really appreciate any help-- rather than get someone to come in and have to pay an arm and a leg for it. So yes- this place is great! any help would be gladly received.

I am trying to enable file sharing between my computer (HP pavilion with Windows XP) and a laptop (Fujitsu with Windows XP).

They are currently sharing an ADSL internet connection via a D-link DES-1005D Ethernet switch.

When we set up the computers, I tried to network them via the network setup wizard- running it on both computers. But whenever I tried to do this, the two computers begin sharing the same IP address. The result is an IP address conflict. Neither computer has internet access, and they didn't file share at all either.

To enable internet access, the HP has a static IP address, whilst the Fujitsu has an ordinary one (not static. o_o-- not sure of the term)

Can you network two computers with differing IP addresses?

Do I have the right product-- this switch is also called an unmanaged or 'dumb' switch---? We were told that this product would enable file sharing.

Before, our network functioned beautifully with a router-- internet access and file sharing.

or is it another issue?

would appreciate any help-- :D

thanks for your time.

**johnwill** · 01-14-2009, 01:13 PM

Most residential accounts will only allow a single connection without a router. In addition, even if you pay for multiple public IP addresses, you do NOT want to open up file/print sharing directly on the Internet!

Buy a router, I'm not sure why you got rid of the one you had.

littlerowboat · 01-15-2009, 04:07 AM

thanks for replying johnwill!

but I'm sorry if I hadnt made myself clear--- I was interested in enabling file sharing just between the two computers--- via the switch; is this called creating a LAN? And yes-- I'm not keen on doing this through the internet! I tried to give as much detail-- in case the IP address conflict thing signified anything.

This file sharing I am trying to enable; its the sort of networking where you can set up a sharing folder on one computer, and then access this folder on another computer.

primarily- I would like to find out if file sharing / computer to computer networking is possible with a switch.

Our previous router began getting tempremental. It was an old one actually-- with a parallel port for the printer.

**johnwill** · 01-15-2009, 01:57 PM

Sure, but keep in mind you can NOT connect that switch to the broadband modem. To network between two systems with just a switch (or a crossover cable), try this.

Configure the machines as follows.

PC #1:
IP address: 192.168.9.1
Subnet Address: 255.255.255.0

PC #2:
IP address: 192.168.9.2
Subnet Address: 255.255.255.0

Leave the Default Gateway and DNS Server addresses blank.

Make sure any firewalls are configured to put the 192.168.9.x subnet in the trusted zone.

Finally, you'll have to enable fine/print sharing on the machines and actually share one or more folders or drives.

Here's a page that describes the process in detail: http://www.howtodothings.com/compute...2-pcs-directly

01-14-2009, 07:46 AM	#1 (permalink)
littlerowboat Registered User Join Date: Aug 2008 Posts: 2 OS: winXP	Networking with an Ethernet Switch? hi all, I'm new here, and rather unfamiliar with computers; would really appreciate any help-- rather than get someone to come in and have to pay an arm and a leg for it. So yes- this place is great! any help would be gladly received. I am trying to enable file sharing between my computer (HP pavilion with Windows XP) and a laptop (Fujitsu with Windows XP). They are currently sharing an ADSL internet connection via a D-link DES-1005D Ethernet switch. When we set up the computers, I tried to network them via the network setup wizard- running it on both computers. But whenever I tried to do this, the two computers begin sharing the same IP address. The result is an IP address conflict. Neither computer has internet access, and they didn't file share at all either. To enable internet access, the HP has a static IP address, whilst the Fujitsu has an ordinary one (not static. o_o-- not sure of the term) Can you network two computers with differing IP addresses? Do I have the right product-- this switch is also called an unmanaged or 'dumb' switch---? We were told that this product would enable file sharing. Before, our network functioned beautifully with a router-- internet access and file sharing. or is it another issue? would appreciate any help-- :D thanks for your time.

01-14-2009, 01:13 PM	#2 (permalink)
johnwill Manager, Networking Forums Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: S.E. Pennsylvania, US Posts: 41,787 OS: Windows 7, XP-Pro, Vista, Linux Blog Entries: 1	Re: Networking with an Ethernet Switch? Most residential accounts will only allow a single connection without a router. In addition, even if you pay for multiple public IP addresses, you do NOT want to open up file/print sharing directly on the Internet! Buy a router, I'm not sure why you got rid of the one you had. __________________ If TSF has helped you, Tell us about it! or Donate to help keep the site up! Microsoft MVP - Windows Desktop Experience

01-15-2009, 04:07 AM	#3 (permalink)
littlerowboat Registered User Join Date: Aug 2008 Posts: 2 OS: winXP	Re: Networking with an Ethernet Switch? thanks for replying johnwill! but I'm sorry if I hadnt made myself clear--- I was interested in enabling file sharing just between the two computers--- via the switch; is this called creating a LAN? And yes-- I'm not keen on doing this through the internet! I tried to give as much detail-- in case the IP address conflict thing signified anything. This file sharing I am trying to enable; its the sort of networking where you can set up a sharing folder on one computer, and then access this folder on another computer. primarily- I would like to find out if file sharing / computer to computer networking is possible with a switch. Our previous router began getting tempremental. It was an old one actually-- with a parallel port for the printer.

01-15-2009, 01:57 PM	#4 (permalink)
johnwill Manager, Networking Forums Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: S.E. Pennsylvania, US Posts: 41,787 OS: Windows 7, XP-Pro, Vista, Linux Blog Entries: 1	Re: Networking with an Ethernet Switch? Sure, but keep in mind you can NOT connect that switch to the broadband modem. To network between two systems with just a switch (or a crossover cable), try this. Configure the machines as follows. PC #1: IP address: 192.168.9.1 Subnet Address: 255.255.255.0 PC #2: IP address: 192.168.9.2 Subnet Address: 255.255.255.0 Leave the Default Gateway and DNS Server addresses blank. Make sure any firewalls are configured to put the 192.168.9.x subnet in the trusted zone. Finally, you'll have to enable fine/print sharing on the machines and actually share one or more folders or drives. Here's a page that describes the process in detail: http://www.howtodothings.com/compute...2-pcs-directly __________________ If TSF has helped you, Tell us about it! or Donate to help keep the site up! Microsoft MVP - Windows Desktop Experience