Network Help

[karen]

Hi,

 

I have been tasked with setting up a peer to peer network without the Internet connection. I will have 8 computers and one server that will be used for backups and print sharing. There will be no outside connection to the Internet. These computers obviously will all be in one room and set up for file sharing.

 

I am looking for the best way to do this. I am kind of new to networking and would appreciate any help with what equipment (switch?) I would need and best way to configure this.

 

Thanks so much

[stevevan]

What kind of operating system? What type of computers (CPU, etc.)?

[karen]

Hi Steve,

 

The OS will be Win2000. These are all desktop pc's. No laptops will be involved.

 

Thanks

Karen

[Madmanmcp]

I am kind of new to networking and would appreciate any help with what equipment (switch?) I would need and best way to configure this.

 

Well if you are new to networking then you may have bitten off more than you can chew.

 

There are lots of factors to take into account when setting up a network and you have given very little information in your post. Is this a simple or complex network, file and print sharing can be simple ... or complex. Do you need to share these files at the same time, will mutiple people be updating these at the same time, if so you are talking complex.

 

What security did you have planned? are there multiple users sahring the same computer or are they dedicated computers to each user?

 

Did you want wired connections or wireless?

 

These are just a few questions, there are lots more that need to be answered before you can get started.

[karen]

We are looking for a secure network that is seperate from our LAN. We do not want to use wireless. This will be a simple network. The computers will be dedicated. Not everyone will be accessing the files at the same time. They will just need to be able to access each others files or possibly have files on a mapped drive on the server.

 

I am trying to figure out what hardware I would need to connect everything.

 

 

Thanks

[Madmanmcp]

If they are all win2000 you would need a router or a hub.

[Madmanmcp]

This should work, just don't connect the internet and you will be good to go.

 

http://www.linksys.com/products/product.as...cid=29&prid=604

[Madmanmcp]

I will have 8 computers and one server that will be used for backups and print sharing.

 

Is that 8+1 = 9 connected computers? If so you will need to add a hub to the router I suggested to get them all connected. The router was only an 8 port. But this will be no problem, you connect the hub to the router along with the other 7 computers, and connect the 2 other computers to the hub.

 

I haven't mentioned the other "parts" necessary for your network. Do all the computers have ethernet cards installed and working? Do you know the cable lengths for the CAT5E cable you will need to purchase?

 

With a "closed" environment (no access to the outside LAN or Internet), security will not be a big issue.

[karen]

Hi Madmanmcp,

 

Thanks so much for the help. That was what I was looking for. So a router would do the trick, great. There will be a total of 9 machines yes, 1 will be used as a server for backups and a printer.

 

At this time I do not know the lengths of the cables that I will need and yes all the machines have working cards installed.

 

Would it be best to assign static IP's or let the router assign them using DHCP or woudl there much diffence?

 

Thanks again!

[TCH-Rob]

DHCP should be fine, just saves some time. Bob can let you know for sure though.

[Madmanmcp]

I was leading you down the easy path and letting the DHCP on the router assign all the IP's as needed. This router also has a nice feature where it keeps a table of the commonly used MAC addresses and will reassign the same IP each time you login.

 

I believe there was a 16 port router at that site, you could get it instead and forget about the additional hub.

 

Now if you want to take the complex and possibly cheaper route you could go with just hubs instead of the router. The problems with this is it more difficult to administer, you need to manually configure cards and assign IP's to each card. The router with DCHP is more plug'n'pray and a lot easier.

[stevevan]

I second Bob's suggestion...as much plug-n-play as you can have windows do for you, the better off you'll be.

 

As a side note, I would also strongly suggest investing in a book or two on networking. As an example, I have several of the "For Dummies" books that I have used extensively. (I can hear all the laughter out there ) In all honesty, they are generally pretty well written and explain things in easy to understand concepts.

 

Keep us informed as to how you're doing and don't hesitate to ask more questions. That's how ALL of us learned!

[Madmanmcp]

As an example, I have several of the "For Dummies" books that I have used extensively. (I can hear all the laughter out there  )

 

No laughter coming from here, I agree and never laugh at a "resource". The Training Manuals by MS for MCSE certification were way out there in the reading/understanding area. I used Exam-Cram plus the Dummy series to help pass the exams.

[karen]

First off, I would like to thank you all very much for your responses! This is the first site where I've been to where everyone has been so helpful. I agree that we all have to start somewhere and it makes it easier for "beginners" with people like you helping us out.

 

I agree that a couple of networking books would be a big help, that is next on my agenda. I will look at the 16 port switch, that would probably be my best and leaves room for expansion. I will let DHCP do all the work.

 

I hope to be gettting this project off the ground within a month. With your advice I hope all goes, but it's good to know that you guys will be there if I get stuck.

 

Thanks again!

Karen

[youneverknow]

I will look at the 16 port switch, that would probably be my best and leaves room for expansion.

 

Don't get a switch get a ROUTER!

youneverknow

[TCH-Don]

I have several of the "For Dummies" books that I have used extensively. (I can hear all the laughter out there  )  In all honesty, they are generally pretty well written and explain things in easy to understand concepts.

I agree the dummies books have come a long way,

I have one for linux, and it is outstanding.

 

 

Welcome to our forum Karen

[TCH-Bruce]

Welcome to the forums Karen.

 

I'll add that I too think there is nothing wrong with the Dummies books. I have been reading the PHP and MySQL one recently.

[karen]

Thanks. I meant a router not a switch, hand was working faster than the brain!

I will check out some of those books, I too have some dummy books but haven't check any of the newer ones out in a couple of years, previously they were pretty vague.

 

 

Thanks for the welcome!

Karen