How Does One Setup a Win 98 Peer to Peer Network? 1

[arfjay]

Our NTserver crashed and while it is down I need one application to continue to run on some kind of a Network. All the PCs are Win 98 and are all connected to a switch.

Can I load this Software on the another Computer, plug it into the Switch and have the other PCs be able to see it and access the database on this software??

How do I go about setting up a peer-to-peer Network?

I would appreciate any ideas.

Thank you

 

[Blujacket]

Might start here:

http://www.linksys.com/edu

 

[arfjay]

Thanks Bluejacket

I read the site and found that, as I have Win 98 on all the PCs, it looks like I need some software like Windows for Workgroups, which I think I still have.

A question, if I rightclick on the c: drive in my Computer can I just share each PC and give permissions to anyone to access?? No logons no security just straight access to everything. Would this work??

Thanks for the help.

 

[AndyHo]

If the 98 machines have been talking to a server the network software should be installed. Pick the computer that you want to act as a server then in "my computer" right click on the "C" drive and share it {the full option is best)

Then use "network neighborhood" from the others to browse for the c drive on your original computer. When you find it all you need to do is right click and create a network drive. This virtual drive should allow things to work fairly easily. We do it all the time.

Andy Holden

 

[smah]

Here's another informative site:

http://www.wown.com

 

[arfjay]

Thank you Andyho

Just before I start this I tried browsing from Network neighbourhood and access was denied - unable to browse the network [I suspect because since the server went down we do not 'log on' anymore]. We never did have the 2 screen Windows Logon enabled. If I need this how do I enable it?

Thanks again for your help.

 

[wolluf]

1. Your server was probably also acting as DHCP server? (supplying IP addresses - if so, you'll need to either set IP addresses manually on each machine, or get something else to act as DHCP server (like a router).

2. Your machine's presumably all have 'log on to domain name NT network' set in network properties (which generated the NT logon screen with domain. You could do with the normal network logon screen (by removing this).

3. your machines may all belong to a workgroup called WORKGROUP by default - but check to make sure they all belong to same.

4. How many machines/how long before server is back - if lot of machines, lot of work setting up temp workgroup & going back to domain setup.

 

[arfjay]

Thank you Wolluf

[1] The DHCP service was not enabled on the Server. We have 4 static IP addresses assigned to us by our IP - 2 of which we are currently using. When the other PCs logged onto the Network they were assigned an IP automatically. All PCs are connected to a 3Com Superstack switch. We have a Lynksys Router currently not connected.

[2] You are right we used the Domain logon - if we remove this option which I assume is 'Client for MS Networks [in the Control Panel\Network] are you saying the Windows Logon screen will automatically be enabled??

[3] How do I check to see if they are all in one 'workgroup'? Network Neighbourhood access is denied as we are not logged into anything. Or do I disable Domain networking per [2] and then I'll be able to check?

[4] There are 7 PCs all in one room and 6 of them are identical in every way and all logged on using the same password. This logon gave them access to the Internet [which I can temporarily do with the Router and the switch I'm sure], Files on the server [which is not a huge concern] and most importantly the database for a major customer that all 6 PCs need to have access to. This issue has interrupted our Customer's service long enough [we are a 24 hour business] and if I can get the 6 PCs to 'see' and access the data on the 7th PC then I can rebuild the Server at my leisure.

We have been down 4 days now and are resolving hardware compatability problems with NT so don't think we'll be up 'til next week.

Your assistance on this mininetwork would be very much appreciated. Thank you.

 

[wolluf]

1. Whatever their source, all machines will need to have an IP address in the same range. Run winipcfg on each machine to see what its address is (should all be 10.x.x.x, or all 172.x.x.x or all 192.168.x.x). If your static IP addresses are public internet ones, you can't use them for the LAN. You might need to install netbeui protocol on all machines (for filesharing over the LAN) if you need these external IP addresses. You can do this from network properties.
From what you say you've got, I'd suggest putting the internet connection into the router (with DHCP turned on) and connect the switch to the router & set all PCs to pick up IP addresses automatically (see next point)

2&3. You need Client for Microsoft Networks installed - but part of its configuration allows you to specify an NT domain to log onto (your normal situation). You need to uncheck the box to logon to domain here (Network properties, client for microsoft network properties)

You can also see from network properties, identification which workgroup machine belongs to (and change it if necessary). Also in network properties, tcp/ip properties (make sure they all have tcp/ip installed) will let you change way machine gets IP address if necessary.
File sharing should also be installed (install it on machine(s) which need it if its not on).

4. So if router serving IP addresses, all set to auto pick up IP, all members of same workgroup, logging on with client for microsoft networks with domain bit removed, machine with data on set to share files (and then you can actually share folder or whole drive), all other 6 machines should have access to it. 98 does a lot of rebooting when you change network properties (so try to do all changes at once on each machine)

Hope this helps you

 

[arfjay]

Thank you so much for all this info - just a couple of questions before I get started on all this while you are still around ..

[1] I currently have 2 unused Static IP - do I use one for the router - I have never configured a router before [someone else did this when hooked up]. The server that broke and another server are cureently using 2 of these IPs. The PCs' IPs were all 10.0.0.12 for example however now none of them are logged onto anything so no IP. The one I am working on is connected straight to the Cable Modem so have the IP's IP address 24.71..... when you say turn the DHCP on is this is the router or in each PC?

[2 & 3] This all seems clear - I'll let you know

[4]OK

This is my 14th hour here now so I'll knock off and go at it tomorrow with your info. Thank you Thank you ..

 

[wolluf]

The router should automatically pick up one of your external IP addresses (supplied by your ISP). You may need to 'clone' the MAC address of the NIC on the machine currently connected directly to Cable Modem to the router (ie, give it same MAC address - so internet connection thinks its still talking to same place - ie, you which is valid connection. this should be one of router config options - you can get the relevant MAC address from running winipcfg on connected machine).
Otherwise you may need to go through a setup procedure for the internet connection via the router (unless this has been done before). It will depend on your ISP what you need to do.

The router should have option to act as DHCP server. Turn this on - then if all PCs set to pick up IP address automatically, they'll all get one from the router.

The router will probably have a web interface to control it (documentation will tell you - often via

http://192.168.0.1

or

http://192.168.1.1

address).