How do you connect two PC to LAN? Any Idea?
- Nestor
- Posts: 6683
- Joined: Tue Mar 27, 2001 4:00 pm
- Location: Fourth Dimension Paradise, Cloud Nine!
Hello there... I need to connect my wife's PC to mine, so we both can have Internet. We both have XP as OS. I know I need three LAN cards, we already have them.
How do you connect it? Any idea? Or perhaps you can point me out to a good tutorial online? Cheers.
How do you connect it? Any idea? Or perhaps you can point me out to a good tutorial online? Cheers.
*MUSIC* The most Powerful Language in the world! *INDEED*

How is it installed on your machine ?
cheers, Tom
- Nestor
- Posts: 6683
- Joined: Tue Mar 27, 2001 4:00 pm
- Location: Fourth Dimension Paradise, Cloud Nine!
Aha... Ok, it was not as easy then...
Well, I don't have a hub or switch to connect to the internet, I connect myself directly from my TRENDNet, at 256-128 ADSL, using the onboard LAN unit of the ASUS P4PE. The second PC has too an onboard LAN unit, also an ASUS board.
I've god a 4 meters crosed cable to connect one PC to the other as well.
We would like to connect both systems to the internet. To do so I've been told to conect both PCs together, and for that I need a third LAN card. I have a D-LINK 10-100 for this.
I understand that one PC is doing the roll of server, while the second one is a client. Because my PC has more RAM than the second PC, I think it would be wise to connect the other second PC to my PC.
That's all I know... sorry... From here and on, I don't know what to do. Then I need a little help
Well, I don't have a hub or switch to connect to the internet, I connect myself directly from my TRENDNet, at 256-128 ADSL, using the onboard LAN unit of the ASUS P4PE. The second PC has too an onboard LAN unit, also an ASUS board.
I've god a 4 meters crosed cable to connect one PC to the other as well.
We would like to connect both systems to the internet. To do so I've been told to conect both PCs together, and for that I need a third LAN card. I have a D-LINK 10-100 for this.
I understand that one PC is doing the roll of server, while the second one is a client. Because my PC has more RAM than the second PC, I think it would be wise to connect the other second PC to my PC.
That's all I know... sorry... From here and on, I don't know what to do. Then I need a little help

*MUSIC* The most Powerful Language in the world! *INDEED*
Hi Nestor,
If you're using XP on both machines then it it's pretty straightforward. Basically the PC connecting directly to the internet must be set up as a DHCP server (i.e. a supplier of IP addresses). The way you go about this is by enabling Internet Connection Sharing in the TCP/IP Properties of the card that is connected to the internet (you might want to turn the Firewall on here too at this stage).
Next set the IP address for the card you are using to connect to the other PC to 192.168.0.1 and Subnet Mask to 255.255.255.0 (again in the TCP/IP Properties), after switching to "Use the following IP address".
Then, if the other PC is still using default settings it should all work. If it doesn't straight away then you should either reboot it or run the following command from a command prompt: ipconfig /renew
If that still doesn't work then you'll need to check that the card is getting an IP address automatically in the TCP/IP settings (which you'll probably be getting used to by now!) for that card.
Anyway, let me know how you get on and/or if you need any more help. I've had it running for a few years now happily. It's also possible with 98SE, but much much less fun!
Cheers,
Will
If you're using XP on both machines then it it's pretty straightforward. Basically the PC connecting directly to the internet must be set up as a DHCP server (i.e. a supplier of IP addresses). The way you go about this is by enabling Internet Connection Sharing in the TCP/IP Properties of the card that is connected to the internet (you might want to turn the Firewall on here too at this stage).
Next set the IP address for the card you are using to connect to the other PC to 192.168.0.1 and Subnet Mask to 255.255.255.0 (again in the TCP/IP Properties), after switching to "Use the following IP address".
Then, if the other PC is still using default settings it should all work. If it doesn't straight away then you should either reboot it or run the following command from a command prompt: ipconfig /renew
If that still doesn't work then you'll need to check that the card is getting an IP address automatically in the TCP/IP settings (which you'll probably be getting used to by now!) for that card.
Anyway, let me know how you get on and/or if you need any more help. I've had it running for a few years now happily. It's also possible with 98SE, but much much less fun!
Cheers,
Will
Hi Neutron,
I wasn't sure whether to go for a router or not originally but have been running ICS now for about 4 years. I was interested by your comments though.
I definitely view the main disadvantage of ICS that you have to have the master PC on in order that any others can connect to the internet. In these days of 1 year hard drive warranties it's not such a great option (I've had a couple die recently in PCs that were on all the time).
Cheers,
Will
I wasn't sure whether to go for a router or not originally but have been running ICS now for about 4 years. I was interested by your comments though.
What ports does Windows not block that a router does? What do you mean by log in automatically (I don't have to use a login box)? You don't need any extra software than Windows to use ICS.advantages:
logs in automatically.
any computer can be on while others are off and connect right away.
blocks a lot of ports windows leaves open.
do not need any software on computer .
I definitely view the main disadvantage of ICS that you have to have the master PC on in order that any others can connect to the internet. In these days of 1 year hard drive warranties it's not such a great option (I've had a couple die recently in PCs that were on all the time).
Cheers,
Will
-
- Posts: 2310
- Joined: Sun Mar 25, 2001 4:00 pm
- Location: Canada/France
Like Neutron, for a trouble free setup, i highly suggest having a nice little firewall/router box like the SMC Barricade for example.
Cheap, no need for 2 card in 1 pc, no dependancy to one PC that has to be running.
The device make the connections and maintain it for you, highly configurable firewall, integrated NAT (Network Address Translation) that support all P2P stuff.
And, the real plus? autoconfiguration of all the PCs that connect to it.
Worth the 99€ i paid for mine. Some even integrate the ADSL modem inside for not much more.
Seriously Nestor, have at least a look at those devices. They save lotsa time and trouble once setup.
My .02$
<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: marcuspocus on 2003-10-27 04:32 ]</font>
Cheap, no need for 2 card in 1 pc, no dependancy to one PC that has to be running.
The device make the connections and maintain it for you, highly configurable firewall, integrated NAT (Network Address Translation) that support all P2P stuff.
And, the real plus? autoconfiguration of all the PCs that connect to it.
Worth the 99€ i paid for mine. Some even integrate the ADSL modem inside for not much more.
Seriously Nestor, have at least a look at those devices. They save lotsa time and trouble once setup.
My .02$
<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: marcuspocus on 2003-10-27 04:32 ]</font>
seriously Nestor, Marcuspocus is absolutely right on the topic - all those services of the box he mentioned would have to be executed on the PC sharing the internet connection - and administrated.
I recently watched a professional PC supporter struggle with a W2K PC with 2 network cards - he finally gave up and ended with a ridiculuous setup where a reboot was needed to switch between the boards
This is not exactly comparable to your situation, but shows how complicated that stuff can be(come). It's generally published more simple than it really is.
cheers, Tom
I recently watched a professional PC supporter struggle with a W2K PC with 2 network cards - he finally gave up and ended with a ridiculuous setup where a reboot was needed to switch between the boards

This is not exactly comparable to your situation, but shows how complicated that stuff can be(come). It's generally published more simple than it really is.
cheers, Tom
I had some issues lately here. One of my VGA monitors is dying, so I only have one left. There's no money to go buy a new screen, for now. And I love the TFT on this laptop. Had some confusion with 2 keyboards also: One is qwerty, the other azerty. And despite the quiet fans, the DAW does make some noise.
Both boxes are connected to a router. When I initially bought the laptop, the lid remained closed and I set up a VNC / Remote Desktop so I could play on laptop from the DAW. Then one monitor started dying. So the DAW is now in the next room, the working monitor is on this laptop too, and DAW is remote controlled from the laptop. The DAW is in another room, its quiet, doesnt use a broken monitor, and I have one mouse, one keyboard to play both of them.
The VNC uses about 10% cpu, but processing power is not really an issue. Scope plays nicely over VNC, and if Cubase required more power for some plugins, there's Fx Teleport which can host any VST plugin on the laptop.
I will switch back to non-VNC when I have money for another monitor, and an extra qwerty keyboard.
KVM switch doesnt work with the laptop, that would have been nice too, but just doesnt work with laptops and their built-in screen and keyboard.
Initially, both pc's were online, but in the VNC experiment I tried disabling the DAW AGP card. It wouldn't boot in safe or normal mode, so I formatted it and it's now an offline DAW. No more internet on it, its IP is blocked by router from the internet. This makes DAW can have full file sharing with laptop and no firewall.
There's a bit of lag on gfx, but at least I have dual monitor back and its more quiet here. Oh, and I bought a 4.5m firewire/Z-Link cable, so the Luna2496 and all audio is still very close to me, so input levels can be monitored easily. Not suggesting this is a super setup, but I like the experience
So, Nestor, I hope this gives you some idea's about what is possible with networking. I also tried one pc with 2 LAN cards and had quite some issues with that setup. Man am I happy I got a router instead, for the price of just more than a LAN card. It blocks loads of ports from the web which have no affairs on my system, it works almost as firewall -plus, hardware is very difficult to corrupt, so this should be a real safe network. Also, there's a couple of ports free on the router, so if a friend brings a laptop, or if I ever get another pc, it can be easily integrated in the LAN.
Enjoy your network!
Both boxes are connected to a router. When I initially bought the laptop, the lid remained closed and I set up a VNC / Remote Desktop so I could play on laptop from the DAW. Then one monitor started dying. So the DAW is now in the next room, the working monitor is on this laptop too, and DAW is remote controlled from the laptop. The DAW is in another room, its quiet, doesnt use a broken monitor, and I have one mouse, one keyboard to play both of them.
The VNC uses about 10% cpu, but processing power is not really an issue. Scope plays nicely over VNC, and if Cubase required more power for some plugins, there's Fx Teleport which can host any VST plugin on the laptop.
I will switch back to non-VNC when I have money for another monitor, and an extra qwerty keyboard.
KVM switch doesnt work with the laptop, that would have been nice too, but just doesnt work with laptops and their built-in screen and keyboard.
Initially, both pc's were online, but in the VNC experiment I tried disabling the DAW AGP card. It wouldn't boot in safe or normal mode, so I formatted it and it's now an offline DAW. No more internet on it, its IP is blocked by router from the internet. This makes DAW can have full file sharing with laptop and no firewall.
There's a bit of lag on gfx, but at least I have dual monitor back and its more quiet here. Oh, and I bought a 4.5m firewire/Z-Link cable, so the Luna2496 and all audio is still very close to me, so input levels can be monitored easily. Not suggesting this is a super setup, but I like the experience

So, Nestor, I hope this gives you some idea's about what is possible with networking. I also tried one pc with 2 LAN cards and had quite some issues with that setup. Man am I happy I got a router instead, for the price of just more than a LAN card. It blocks loads of ports from the web which have no affairs on my system, it works almost as firewall -plus, hardware is very difficult to corrupt, so this should be a real safe network. Also, there's a couple of ports free on the router, so if a friend brings a laptop, or if I ever get another pc, it can be easily integrated in the LAN.
Enjoy your network!
-
- Posts: 2310
- Joined: Sun Mar 25, 2001 4:00 pm
- Location: Canada/France
Just for more options here...
If you still don't really need the 2 pc on internet, you can also setup a lan between the 2 pc using firewire.
It's integrated into XP, and make for a really fast network with approximately 400Mb/s bandwidth.

That's the ultimate 'lan' setup between 2 PC, for a DAW using FXTeleport especially.
If you still don't really need the 2 pc on internet, you can also setup a lan between the 2 pc using firewire.
It's integrated into XP, and make for a really fast network with approximately 400Mb/s bandwidth.

That's the ultimate 'lan' setup between 2 PC, for a DAW using FXTeleport especially.
I can recomment the SMC barricade too, very nice and easy to setup.
You just plug the computers to the device (4 inputs) and the output to the modem (cable here).
Any friend of your can also connect to the barricade, it will be recognized automatically.
The firewall is not very configurable, but the only thing that doesn't work is exchanging files through MSN Messenger (you can receive, but not send, unless I missed some special security parameter in the firewall). The rest is fine.
Then you can exhange files through your computers (after setting the shared directories and their security parameters, which are in windows XP context menu for each directory).
EDITED : It is also Mac/PC network compatible so you can connect pcs and macs.
89 € here
<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: spacef on 2003-10-27 08:56 ]</font>
<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: spacef on 2003-10-27 08:57 ]</font>
You just plug the computers to the device (4 inputs) and the output to the modem (cable here).
Any friend of your can also connect to the barricade, it will be recognized automatically.
The firewall is not very configurable, but the only thing that doesn't work is exchanging files through MSN Messenger (you can receive, but not send, unless I missed some special security parameter in the firewall). The rest is fine.
Then you can exhange files through your computers (after setting the shared directories and their security parameters, which are in windows XP context menu for each directory).
EDITED : It is also Mac/PC network compatible so you can connect pcs and macs.
89 € here

<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: spacef on 2003-10-27 08:56 ]</font>
<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: spacef on 2003-10-27 08:57 ]</font>
-
- Posts: 2310
- Joined: Sun Mar 25, 2001 4:00 pm
- Location: Canada/France
-
- Posts: 2310
- Joined: Sun Mar 25, 2001 4:00 pm
- Location: Canada/France
Well, i'm at work, i don't have my setup in front of me, but yes, it is totaly transparent for me, and yes the firewall is really activated, and block everything else.On 2003-10-27 08:52, spacef wrote:
but the only thing that doesn't work is exchanging files through MSN Messenger (you can receive, but not send, unless I missed some special security parameter in the firewall).
If i remember, there is a device you have to set in XP for those 'automatic P2P configuration, it's called UPNP, for Universal PlugNPray

I use msn file transfert pretty often and it's working, even with many pc behind the firewall (NAT features) and also audio convertation using msn again.
My family is in Montréal, i'm in Paris, i save LOADS of money from using msn instead of phone.