Time to network.....

[JXDesign]

I just got my Gigaswitch 5 port Ethernet switch;

http://www.newegg.com/app/viewproduct.asp?description=17-201-201&DEPA=1

I am getting ready to network a couple of my desktop PC's and maybe my lappy. All already have Ethernet cards, and I have dial-up internet service.
What do I need as far as cables, just Cat5's?
Also, can I network them to share the dial-up through this switch, or do I need a router?
Any input would be great as I am extremely dumb in this area. :goog:
Thanks

[Grogan]

Yes, connect the PCs to the switch with cat5 or cat5e cable.

Yes, you can share the modem connection using that switch, but you'll have to run Internet Connection Sharing on the host computer that has the modem.

A router wouldn't even help you with that, unless it had dialup capabilities.

[JXDesign]

Thanks - all three are XP systems so the software aspect setup should be easy I assume
I will know more and probably post back after I have got the cables in hand and routed.

[Zema Bus]

That's a pretty good switch by the way, I got one last summer and recently ordered another. And you sure can't beat the price! ;)

[JXDesign]

I have my Cat5 cables now, and i am running into some trouble.
I have the phone line running into my desktop's modem, I have the ethernet adapter enabled on the desktop,I have a cat5 running out of the adapter into the first port in the switch, and all seem well there.
I have a Cat5 running out of port 2 on the switch and into my laptop. I am getting a network cable unplugged message from the laptop. What am I doing wrong?
I have tried removing the network card from the laptop, uninstalling and reinstalling it. I have tried disabling both PC firewalls, no luck.
What am I missing here?

[Techvillage]

Originally posted by JXDesign
I have my Cat5 cables now, and i am running into some trouble.
I have the phone line running into my desktop's modem, I have the ethernet adapter enabled on the desktop,I have a cat5 running out of the adapter into the first port in the switch, and all seem well there.
I have a Cat5 running out of port 2 on the switch and into my laptop. I am getting a network cable unplugged message from the laptop. What am I doing wrong?
I have tried removing the network card from the laptop, uninstalling and reinstalling it. I have tried disabling both PC firewalls, no luck.
What am I missing here?

Hi - you have forgotten to put in what the problem is.

Are you saying the Internet sharing is not working?

Or the PC's are unable to see each other etc..?

[JXDesign]

Originally posted by Techvillage
Hi - you have forgotten to put in what the problem is.

Are you saying the Internet sharing is not working?

Or the PC's are unable to see each other etc..?

Actually, I did -


I am getting a network cable unplugged message from the laptop. What am I doing wrong?

[Grogan]

You didn't buy crossover cables, did you? (that's not what you want for this)

Being connected to the switch, even if you're not communicating with the other PC, you should not be getting "cable unplugged" if the NIC in the laptop is working correctly, and the switch is working. (try another cable, and another port on the switch)

[JXDesign]

Nope I got Cat5e patch cables -

and I tried different port, switched cables also.

[JXDesign]

I have since tried to networkthis desktop to another desktop instead of my laptop.
I am having no luck at all. I am trying to network XP on host PC to 98SE on other desktop.
Tried about 10 times so far to no avail. I do not believe the two are seeing each other at all. I think a am total messing something up..
:beatsme:

[Grogan]

Well... you're not going to communicate with any other computer unless you configure tcp/ip.

If you enable Internet Connection Sharing on the computer that has the modem, it should also act as a DHCP server.

The issue earlier, was the "Network Cable Unplugged". Which should not happen, if it's connected to the switch, and the switch is powered up and everything.

[JXDesign]

Originally posted by Grogan
Well... you're not going to communicate with any other computer unless you configure tcp/ip.

How?


If you enable Internet Connection Sharing on the computer that has the modem, it should also act as a DHCP server.


OK?



The issue earlier, was the "Network Cable Unplugged". Which should not happen, if it's connected to the switch, and the switch is powered up and everything.

I am still getting that, it is a Xircom card that seems to be fully functional.

[JXDesign]

Here is a section of the device manager out of the laptop giving me the cable disconnected message;
(if I can get it to post...)

[Grogan]

How? Probably you should do some reading on configuring TCP/IP if unfamiliar.

http://www.pcnineoneone.com/howto/ipaddr1.html
http://www.pcnineoneone.com/howto/hmnetwk1.html
http://www.dalantech.com/ubbthreads/showflat.php?Cat=&Number=33050&page=1&view=collapsed&sb=5&o=&fpart=1

As for Internet Connection sharing... how you enable it depends on the operating system. In Windows XP, you do it from the properties of the dialup connection, on the Advanced tab.

In Windows 98/ME, you must install Internet Connection Sharing.

http://www.practicallynetworked.com/sharing/ics/ics.htm

Only install or enable Internet Connection Sharing (in Win9x or XP) on one computer, the one with the modem. When it's enabled, the other computers, if configured to automatically obtain an IP address, should be automatically assigned network information like IP address, subnet mask, default gateway and dns. It acts as a DHCP server to configure the other PCs.

[JXDesign]

A little more to let you in on what I have tried;

On the desktop to desktop (XP to 98) -

I ran the network wizard on the XP computer, which is my "host"
I ran the network configuration wizard using the xp home disk on the 98 system.
I do not think they see each other.

-the instructions I have used so far are from Practically Networked

[JXDesign]

Xircom card seems to have broken pin in LAN port, and I am beginning to doubt the health of the ethernet card in the 98SE too...
Problems may very well all be hardware, no link light in port 2 on either connection - laptop or desktop.