Nishant's Query on Windows XP basic networking

My friend Nishant asked me if I can help him configure a network between two Windows XP Systems.

I thought I will put down the common things involved in accomplishing such a task.

First lets see if we have the network card drives loaded for the device. You may right click on  the "My Computer" icon and then select "Properties". 

Select "Hardware" tab and then select "Device Manager"

See if we have the network card driver loaded by observing if we have any error or exclamation icon on the network card entry listing. If you dont have  a network card listed listed, then it might mean that the device is not enabled in BIOS or it does not have the proper drivers loaded.

So lets see if everything is fine here.. If you are seeing something like below with out any exclamation mark (yellow) or error mark (red) then that does suggest everything is fine.





The next thing we need to do is to configure the IP or the Internet Protocol

To do this open the "Network Places" by selecting "Open" as shown below.



This will open up the "Network Connections" Window. Here you will find icons and links for all the basic networking related tasks.

Now lets right click the "Local Area Connection" and then select properties ( Note: The "Local Area Connection" is default name for the local area connection :-). I mean.. if you wish, you may rename it like " My connection to ISP X")




This will open up the "Local Area Connection Properties" window.

Select "Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) as shown in the below graphic and click properties.



Now lets assign the IP address for the system. Since we are configuring our system as a private network ( one that is not connected to internet with a valid public IP) we may use the standard private IP address series 192.168.100.1  with a netmask of 255.255.255.0.

Note: An IP address of 192.168.100.1 with a mask of 255.255.255.0 means that I am allowed to change only the last octet ( if w.x.y.z is the ip address then my last octet is z) to be able to communicate with systems in my local network ( provided they too keep their w.x.y same). if I change my w or x or y then I will require a router to communicate)



Now lets click "OK" as many number of times needed and then start verifying the configuration.

Lets open up a command prompt




Now in the newly opened up command prompt, lets type the "ipconfig /all" command.

This will show you the ip configuration of the system.




Dont worry about those 0.0.0.0 ip address and a similar mask. Did you notice one entry above that ? "Media Disconnected". I dont have the cable connected. Hence the system will not be showing up the ip address even if you configure the same.

So If you have the cable conected you should be able to see the IP Address 192.168.100.1 address with 255.255.255.0 mask over here.

Let me run through you about a fanstatic command called PING. This would help me understand if the system is able to reach to and communicate with the other system or not ( conditional: you need to have icmp protocol enabled ( enabled by default ) and your firewall should not be blocking ping.)

Following two graphics show two PING examples

A ping showing system to be un-reachable



A successful loopback ping



Try pinging your loop back ip 127.0.0.1 then your self ip 192.168.100.1 then 192.168.100.2 once we configure this second ip to the next system.

On the second system we need to repeat all these systems. Make sure you are giving a different IP (192.168.100.2 ) in the same series on system II





So once we are through we will be able to access other system and use any services offered including File and Print sharing.