Network 3 PC's each have dialup modem

Hi Everyone,
I have three WIN98SE desktop computers that I want to network together with
a wired peer to peer ethernet. I believe this is peer to peer because I
will not have a server. My goal is to share files between these PC's. This
will be my first experience at setting up a network and I would appreciate
help.

All three PC's have dialup modems, all are hooked to the phone line and all
can dialup the ISP. I will keep this configuration as I have no desire to
pay for high speed access. Another advantage to this setup is that I won't
need ICS and I can turn on just one PC to access the internet. To save
power I always turn off my equipment when not in use.

One of the PC's has a RTL8201BL NVIDA nForce network controller built into
the MB. I will buy two more NIC's for the other PC's. After installing the
NIC's I believe I can plug all the PC's into a switch. Since I don't have
high speed access I assume a router is unnecessary.

I have read "Absolute Beginners Guide to Home Networking" but because I am
going to use multiple dialup modems rather than shared high speed access I
have been unable to find a source that would show me exactly how to
configure my setup.

Here are my initial ideas about how I might reach my goal:

I assume that since I'm going to use a switch instead of a router that I
will not have DHCP and I will therefore have to assign IP address manually
to each PC. I followed the instructions at:
http://www.makeitsimple.com/how-to/simple.htm and I was able to assign an
IP address to the nForce NIC. I successfully pinged 192.168.0.1 at the
command prompt and the modem still functions so I take this as a good sign.
After I install the NIC's in the other two PC's I will do the same
procedure to assign a unique IP of 192.168.0.2 and 192.168.0.3 to each of
them.

I will install NetBEUI on each PC, bind it to each NIC and enable printer
and file sharing on that protocol. I already have Client for Microsoft
Networks installed on all PC's from my modem setup.

At that point I think I can plug all PC's into the switch, they will see
each other and I will have a functioning network. Do you think this will
work or am I all wet?

A few more thoughts: I plan to buy the switch and NIC's locally. If I get a
defect part I can quickly and easily exchange it. For NIC's and switches I
have looked at D-Link and Linksys. Lacking any experience with networks I
am unable to find any meaningful differences between the two manufacture's
products. Cosmetically in switches I prefer the D-Link DES-1105 over the
Linksys EZXS55W. In NIC's I note that the Linksys DFE-530TX+ has diagnostic
software. I can't find any diagnostic software for the Linksys LNE100TX. I
would appreciate your opinions about these products.

I should also point out that in keeping with my desire to save energy I
will use a power strip to turn off the switch. The Linksys performs self
diagnostics at power up. The D-Link doesn't say what it does at power up. I
assume I will have to wait for the switch to find the computers every time
I power up the switch. Do think I will have any other problems by turning
off the power to the switch?

--
networking_at_home

On Tue, 08 Jan 2008 21:07:02 -0000, "networking_at_home"
<networking_at_home.com> wrote:

>I will install NetBEUI on each PC, bind it to each NIC and enable printer
>and file sharing on that protocol. I already have Client for Microsoft
>Networks installed on all PC's from my modem setup.

It's not necessary to install netbeui for file and printer sharing if
your tcp/ip is properly configured (which it appears to be) but you
can install it if you want to. It can run alongside tcp/ip.

The important thing is to share your files across your local network
and not with the rest of the world on the Internet. To that end you
need to review the bindings and ensure that file and printer sharing
is not bound to the tcp/ip stack of your dialup connection (ie. the
relevant box is unchecked)


Jim.

On Tue, 08 Jan 2008 21:07:02 -0000, "networking_at_home"
<networking_at_home.com> wrote:

>Hi Everyone,
>I have three WIN98SE desktop computers that I want to network together with
>a wired peer to peer ethernet. I believe this is peer to peer because I
>will not have a server. My goal is to share files between these PC's. This
>will be my first experience at setting up a network and I would appreciate
>help.
>
>All three PC's have dialup modems, all are hooked to the phone line and all
>can dialup the ISP. I will keep this configuration as I have no desire to
>pay for high speed access. Another advantage to this setup is that I won't
>need ICS and I can turn on just one PC to access the internet. To save
>power I always turn off my equipment when not in use.
>
>One of the PC's has a RTL8201BL NVIDA nForce network controller built into
>the MB. I will buy two more NIC's for the other PC's. After installing the
>NIC's I believe I can plug all the PC's into a switch. Since I don't have
>high speed access I assume a router is unnecessary.
>
>I have read "Absolute Beginners Guide to Home Networking" but because I am
>going to use multiple dialup modems rather than shared high speed access I
>have been unable to find a source that would show me exactly how to
>configure my setup.
>
>Here are my initial ideas about how I might reach my goal:
>
>I assume that since I'm going to use a switch instead of a router that I
>will not have DHCP and I will therefore have to assign IP address manually
>to each PC. I followed the instructions at:
>http://www.makeitsimple.com/how-to/simple.htm and I was able to assign an
>IP address to the nForce NIC. I successfully pinged 192.168.0.1 at the
>command prompt and the modem still functions so I take this as a good sign.
>After I install the NIC's in the other two PC's I will do the same
>procedure to assign a unique IP of 192.168.0.2 and 192.168.0.3 to each of
>them.
>
>I will install NetBEUI on each PC, bind it to each NIC and enable printer
>and file sharing on that protocol. I already have Client for Microsoft
>Networks installed on all PC's from my modem setup.
>
>At that point I think I can plug all PC's into the switch, they will see
>each other and I will have a functioning network. Do you think this will
>work or am I all wet?
>
>A few more thoughts: I plan to buy the switch and NIC's locally. If I get a
>defect part I can quickly and easily exchange it. For NIC's and switches I
>have looked at D-Link and Linksys. Lacking any experience with networks I
>am unable to find any meaningful differences between the two manufacture's
>products. Cosmetically in switches I prefer the D-Link DES-1105 over the
>Linksys EZXS55W. In NIC's I note that the Linksys DFE-530TX+ has diagnostic
>software. I can't find any diagnostic software for the Linksys LNE100TX. I
>would appreciate your opinions about these products.
>
>I should also point out that in keeping with my desire to save energy I
>will use a power strip to turn off the switch. The Linksys performs self
>diagnostics at power up. The D-Link doesn't say what it does at power up. I
>assume I will have to wait for the switch to find the computers every time
>I power up the switch. Do think I will have any other problems by turning
>off the power to the switch?

I think that you've got a very good understanding of the subject. Your
plans for IP addressing and a network switch are right on.

There's no reason to install NetBEUI, in spite of what some networking
web sites say. TCP/IP can safely handle both dial-up Internet access
and file sharing between the computers. To prevent other Internet
users from accessing your computers, go to Control Panel > Network >
TCP/IP->Dial-Up Adapter > Properties > Bindings, and un-check the
boxes for "Client for Microsoft Networks" and "File and printer
sharing for Microsoft Networks". You'd have to do that even if you
used NetBEUI for file sharing. To verify that it's safe, you can go
to http://grc.com and run the ShieldsUP! test.

I've had so much trouble with Linksys products, including the
LNE100TX, that I won't buy anything from Linksys. Problems are
especially likely on older systems like Windows 98.

I've had very good luck with D-Link products in general and the
DFE-530TX+ in particular. I don't see Windows 98 drivers for it on
D-Link's web site, but http://www.driverguide.com has Windows 98
drivers.

It's OK to turn off the switch when not in use, but I don't think that
it will save much power or money. My D-Link DSS-5+ switch draws 3
watts of power at idle. In one year, it would use 26.3 kilowatt
hours, which would cost $2.63 (assuming a rate of 10 cents per
kilowatt hour).
--
Best Wishes,
Steve Winograd, MS-MVP (Windows Networking)

Please post any reply as a follow-up message in the news group
for everyone to see. I'm sorry, but I don't answer questions
addressed directly to me in E-mail or news groups.

Microsoft Most Valuable Professional Program
http://mvp.support.microsoft.com

"networking_at_home" <networking_at_home.com> wrote in message
news:Xns9A1F99A4B9AB5networkingathome@216.168.3.44 ...
> Hi Everyone,
> I have three WIN98SE desktop computers that I want to network together
with
> a wired peer to peer ethernet. I believe this is peer to peer because I
> will not have a server. My goal is to share files between these PC's. This
> will be my first experience at setting up a network and I would appreciate
> help.
>
> All three PC's have dialup modems, all are hooked to the phone line and
all
> can dialup the ISP. I will keep this configuration as I have no desire to
> pay for high speed access. Another advantage to this setup is that I won't
> need ICS and I can turn on just one PC to access the internet. To save
> power I always turn off my equipment when not in use.
>
> One of the PC's has a RTL8201BL NVIDA nForce network controller built into
> the MB. I will buy two more NIC's for the other PC's. After installing the
> NIC's I believe I can plug all the PC's into a switch. Since I don't have
> high speed access I assume a router is unnecessary.
>
> I have read "Absolute Beginners Guide to Home Networking" but because I am
> going to use multiple dialup modems rather than shared high speed access I
> have been unable to find a source that would show me exactly how to
> configure my setup.
>
> Here are my initial ideas about how I might reach my goal:
>
> I assume that since I'm going to use a switch instead of a router that I
> will not have DHCP and I will therefore have to assign IP address manually
> to each PC. I followed the instructions at:
> http://www.makeitsimple.com/how-to/simple.htm and I was able to assign an
> IP address to the nForce NIC. I successfully pinged 192.168.0.1 at the
> command prompt and the modem still functions so I take this as a good
sign.
> After I install the NIC's in the other two PC's I will do the same
> procedure to assign a unique IP of 192.168.0.2 and 192.168.0.3 to each of
> them.
>
> I will install NetBEUI on each PC, bind it to each NIC and enable printer
> and file sharing on that protocol. I already have Client for Microsoft
> Networks installed on all PC's from my modem setup.
>
> At that point I think I can plug all PC's into the switch, they will see
> each other and I will have a functioning network. Do you think this will
> work or am I all wet?
>
> A few more thoughts: I plan to buy the switch and NIC's locally. If I get
a
> defect part I can quickly and easily exchange it. For NIC's and switches I
> have looked at D-Link and Linksys. Lacking any experience with networks I
> am unable to find any meaningful differences between the two manufacture's
> products. Cosmetically in switches I prefer the D-Link DES-1105 over the
> Linksys EZXS55W. In NIC's I note that the Linksys DFE-530TX+ has
diagnostic
> software. I can't find any diagnostic software for the Linksys LNE100TX. I
> would appreciate your opinions about these products.
>
> I should also point out that in keeping with my desire to save energy I
> will use a power strip to turn off the switch. The Linksys performs self
> diagnostics at power up. The D-Link doesn't say what it does at power up.
I
> assume I will have to wait for the switch to find the computers every time
> I power up the switch. Do think I will have any other problems by turning
> off the power to the switch?
>
> --
> networking_at_home

Others are correctly pointing out you don't need to install more than one
protocol, e.g. TCP/IP is enough. Conversely though, you can choose to use
Netbuie for the Ethernet cards and still use TCP/IP for the modems. I'm
doing something similar to yourself and as I'd always used Netbuie since
WFW days, it just came along for File and Printer sharing. I like it's
simple, easy get up and going plus it's all I need in house. In my case
though, I do also have TCP/IP installed on nics as software like PCAnywhere,
games etc. expect that.

pjp wrote:

> "networking_at_home" <networking_at_home.com> wrote in message
> news:Xns9A1F99A4B9AB5networkingathome@216.168.3.44 ...
> > Hi Everyone,
> > I have three WIN98SE desktop computers that I want to network together
> with
> > a wired peer to peer ethernet. I believe this is peer to peer because I
> > will not have a server. My goal is to share files between these PC's. This
> > will be my first experience at setting up a network and I would appreciate
> > help.
> >
> > All three PC's have dialup modems, all are hooked to the phone line and
> all
> > can dialup the ISP. I will keep this configuration as I have no desire to
> > pay for high speed access. Another advantage to this setup is that I won't
> > need ICS and I can turn on just one PC to access the internet. To save
> > power I always turn off my equipment when not in use.
> >
> > One of the PC's has a RTL8201BL NVIDA nForce network controller built into
> > the MB. I will buy two more NIC's for the other PC's. After installing the
> > NIC's I believe I can plug all the PC's into a switch. Since I don't have
> > high speed access I assume a router is unnecessary.
> >
> > I have read "Absolute Beginners Guide to Home Networking" but because I am
> > going to use multiple dialup modems rather than shared high speed access I
> > have been unable to find a source that would show me exactly how to
> > configure my setup.
> >
> > Here are my initial ideas about how I might reach my goal:
> >
> > I assume that since I'm going to use a switch instead of a router that I
> > will not have DHCP and I will therefore have to assign IP address manually
> > to each PC. I followed the instructions at:
> > http://www.makeitsimple.com/how-to/simple.htm and I was able to assign an
> > IP address to the nForce NIC. I successfully pinged 192.168.0.1 at the
> > command prompt and the modem still functions so I take this as a good
> sign.
> > After I install the NIC's in the other two PC's I will do the same
> > procedure to assign a unique IP of 192.168.0.2 and 192.168.0.3 to each of
> > them.
> >
> > I will install NetBEUI on each PC, bind it to each NIC and enable printer
> > and file sharing on that protocol. I already have Client for Microsoft
> > Networks installed on all PC's from my modem setup.
> >
> > At that point I think I can plug all PC's into the switch, they will see
> > each other and I will have a functioning network. Do you think this will
> > work or am I all wet?
> >
> > A few more thoughts: I plan to buy the switch and NIC's locally. If I get
> a
> > defect part I can quickly and easily exchange it. For NIC's and switches I
> > have looked at D-Link and Linksys. Lacking any experience with networks I
> > am unable to find any meaningful differences between the two manufacture's
> > products. Cosmetically in switches I prefer the D-Link DES-1105 over the
> > Linksys EZXS55W. In NIC's I note that the Linksys DFE-530TX+ has
> diagnostic
> > software. I can't find any diagnostic software for the Linksys LNE100TX. I
> > would appreciate your opinions about these products.
> >
> > I should also point out that in keeping with my desire to save energy I
> > will use a power strip to turn off the switch. The Linksys performs self
> > diagnostics at power up. The D-Link doesn't say what it does at power up.
> I
> > assume I will have to wait for the switch to find the computers every time
> > I power up the switch. Do think I will have any other problems by turning
> > off the power to the switch?
> >
> > --
> > networking_at_home
>
> Others are correctly pointing out you don't need to install more than one
> protocol, e.g. TCP/IP is enough. Conversely though, you can choose to use
> Netbuie for the Ethernet cards and still use TCP/IP for the modems. I'm
> doing something similar to yourself and as I'd always used Netbuie since
> WFW days, it just came along for File and Printer sharing. I like it's
> simple, easy get up and going plus it's all I need in house. In my case
> though, I do also have TCP/IP installed on nics as software like PCAnywhere,
> games etc. expect that.

The one purpose in installing NETBUIE is it's use as a 'placeholder' for the
other applets in TCP/IP. When you unbind F&PSharing, etc to close Port 139 it
"disapears" from the list. With Netbuie installed the items remain visible with
just the boxes unchecked so you know the status of your install.
http://www.grc.com/su-rebinding9x.htm

"networking_at_home" <networking_at_home.com> wrote in
news:Xns9A1F99A4B9AB5networkingathome@216.168.3.44 :

> Hi Everyone,
> I have three WIN98SE desktop computers that I want to network together
> with a wired peer to peer ethernet. I believe this is peer to peer
> because I will not have a server. My goal is to share files between
> these PC's. This will be my first experience at setting up a network
> and I would appreciate help.
>
> All three PC's have dialup modems, all are hooked to the phone line
> and all can dialup the ISP. I will keep this configuration as I have
> no desire to pay for high speed access. Another advantage to this
> setup is that I won't need ICS and I can turn on just one PC to access
> the internet. To save power I always turn off my equipment when not in
> use.
>
> One of the PC's has a RTL8201BL NVIDA nForce network controller built
> into the MB. I will buy two more NIC's for the other PC's. After
> installing the NIC's I believe I can plug all the PC's into a switch.
> Since I don't have high speed access I assume a router is unnecessary.
>
> I have read "Absolute Beginners Guide to Home Networking" but because
> I am going to use multiple dialup modems rather than shared high speed
> access I have been unable to find a source that would show me exactly
> how to configure my setup.
>
> Here are my initial ideas about how I might reach my goal:
>
> I assume that since I'm going to use a switch instead of a router that
> I will not have DHCP and I will therefore have to assign IP address
> manually to each PC. I followed the instructions at:
> http://www.makeitsimple.com/how-to/simple.htm and I was able to assign
> an IP address to the nForce NIC. I successfully pinged 192.168.0.1 at
> the command prompt and the modem still functions so I take this as a
> good sign. After I install the NIC's in the other two PC's I will do
> the same procedure to assign a unique IP of 192.168.0.2 and
> 192.168.0.3 to each of them.
>
> I will install NetBEUI on each PC, bind it to each NIC and enable
> printer and file sharing on that protocol. I already have Client for
> Microsoft Networks installed on all PC's from my modem setup.
>
> At that point I think I can plug all PC's into the switch, they will
> see each other and I will have a functioning network. Do you think
> this will work or am I all wet?
>
> A few more thoughts: I plan to buy the switch and NIC's locally. If I
> get a defect part I can quickly and easily exchange it. For NIC's and
> switches I have looked at D-Link and Linksys. Lacking any experience
> with networks I am unable to find any meaningful differences between
> the two manufacture's products. Cosmetically in switches I prefer the
> D-Link DES-1105 over the Linksys EZXS55W. In NIC's I note that the
> D-Link DFE-530TX+ has diagnostic software. I can't find any
> diagnostic software for the Linksys LNE100TX. I would appreciate your
> opinions about these products.
>
> I should also point out that in keeping with my desire to save energy
> I will use a power strip to turn off the switch. The Linksys performs
> self diagnostics at power up. The D-Link doesn't say what it does at
> power up. I assume I will have to wait for the switch to find the
> computers every time I power up the switch. Do think I will have any
> other problems by turning off the power to the switch?

My network (as described above) is complete and functions perfectly.

Parts used:
D-Link DES-1105 (5 port network switch)
Linksys LNE100TX (NIC)

Changes to my original plan:

The PC I built in 1999 is down and I am loath to invest any significant
amount of money to fix it at this time. To replace it I have ordered
parts to build a near exact copy of the PC I built in 11 of 07.

D-Link DFE-530TX+ DOES NOT support WIN98 even though a driver is
available at www.dlink.com. I returned it and bought the Linksys NIC
which works perfectly. I would only recommend D-Link phone support to my
worst enemies. As long as other network products are available I will
think twice before buying anything from D-Link again. YMMV.

I am very happy with my network. I recommend this project to anyone who
wishes to derive maximum benefit from their investment by sharing
hardware and software between their computers.

--
pcbldrNinetyEight