No previous network experience

[Mattias]

Tried to work this out but since I’m short on knowledge as far as the actual networking goes I have to ask:

I am aware that null modem is not supported and that a "real" network connection is required. Now...

1) Can I set up a local CM network between a friends laptop (which has a network card) and my own desktop (which will get one if this works)? I'll be asking this in the store of course but will "any" network card do the trick?

2) Is a network card and a connection cord for my computer all the hardware that is necessary (assuming that his laptop has got what it needs)?

3) We are both running Win 98 2ed, do we need any more specialised software to set up the connection?

4) If its looking ok so far, is there anything else that I should keep in mind before/while doing this?

Any help is welcome

Cheers.

M.

[brooktrout]

Q - 1) Can I set up a local CM network between a friends laptop (which has a network card) and my own desktop (which will get one if this works)? I'll be asking this in the store of course but will "any" network card do the trick?

A - Basically yes. Preferably a PCI (instead of the old ISA) 10BT card. You do not need to spend a lot of money on this (like 3com, they're usually pretty high). Linksys, Netgear, SMC are a couple of cheap brands that work fine. Usually around US$15-20. Sometimes they come with a patch cable.

Q - 2) Is a network card and a connection cord for my computer all the hardware that is necessary (assuming that his laptop has got what it needs)?

A - The connection cord, or patch cable, is not necessarily all you need. The patch cable can be used alone to connect two PC's as long as it is a cross-over cable. A typical 10bt patch cable is a straight-wired cable that would typically be connected from the network card to a hub or switch which then performs the cross-over inside the hub. If you buy a hub, then you can use a typical patch cable. If you only want to connect two PC's then go for the cross-over patch cable and connect directly from network card to network card on both of the PC's. Just make sure to ask for a cross-over cable at the store.

Q - 3) We are both running Win 98 2ed, do we need any more specialised software to set up the connection?

No you do not. Just make sure you have your Win9x CD with you as you will need to load the TCP/IP protocol to communicate between PC's. When you add the NIC (Network Interface Card) and load the included drivers, the installation should ask for your Win9x CD to load the protocol stack.

Q - 4) If its looking ok so far, is there anything else that I should keep in mind before/while doing this?

A - After connecting the PC's and booting Windows, you should now see a Network Login screen, you do not need to enter a password, just leave it blank. You will now see a Network Neighorhood icon on your desktop. Right-Click this icon and go to properties. You need to make sure that you see TCP/IP as a protocol in this window and that it is bound to the NIC. Select the TCP/IP protocol in this window and click on the Properties button below that. In the IP address tab (i'm going by memory so bare with me) select static IP address and give it something like 192.168.0.1 on one computer and 192.168.0.2 on the other computer. Use 255.255.255.0 for the Subnet Mask. Reboot. Now open a DOS window and type: Ping 192.168.0.x for the other computer and see if you get a reply. If you do, your good to go. Hope I have not left anything out

[Mattias]

First rate brooktrout!!

Thanks a bundle

I'll ask my friend to bring his laptop along to the store to make sure we get the connections right...

Thanks again!

M.