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Computer Networking

File and Printer Sharing in Peer to Peer Workgroup Network


(Windows XP)
Configuring peer to peer workgroup network
Install XP , change the name of your computer and workgroup When you first install windows
assign itself a computer name something that looks like RAT12E2341, now would be a good
time to give your computer a descriptive name:
Right-click on My Computer and select Properties, or open the System applet in the Control
Panel.

Select the Computer Name tab ==> click Change to open the Computer Name Changes dialog
box.

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Enter a new computer name in the Computer Name field and new workgroup name
in Workgroup field and click OK.

You will be prompted to restart your computer to complete the name change. Click yes to restart
your computer.

Note: To avoid future problem follow these simple rules in choosing name

Computer name should be unique in a workgroup.

Workgroup name should be same for all computers.

Workgroup names may be up to 15 characters long and may contain any alphanumeric
(a-z and 0-9) characters, as well as special characters except for ; : " < > * + = \ | ?.

Computer names can be up to 15 characters long and have the same naming restrictions
as workgroups. In addition, the computer name cannot be the same as the workgroup
name.
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Next step is checking of LAN card that will be done first in Device manager and further in My
network place ==> properties

LAN card in device manager


Right Click on My Computer ==> properties ==> Hardware ==> Device manager ==> Network
Adaptor ==> Check here (also check under the other devices tag)

Description: Installed and working properly


Situation:-Showing with Yellow sign

Description:- LAN card driver is corrupted


Solution:- Install LAN card driver.
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Situation:- Showing with Red Cross
Description:- Either cable is unplugged or LAN card is disabled
Solution:- My network places ==> properties ==> local area connection ==> right click ==>
Enable (Follow only if LAN card is disable )
Check whether network cable is plugged or not
Situation:-Not Showing

Description:- LAN card is not detected yet (Check for physical installation)
Solution:- Open the cabinet and check for physical detection
Check Bios ==> On bord Lan Option should be enable

Checking LAN card in Network place


How to show my network place on Desktop?
Right click on the free space of desktop ==>Customize desktop ==>check mark on My network
places ==> Apply ==> Ok
My network place ==> properties ==>local area connection

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Situation:- Showing

Description:- Installed and working properly


Situation:-Showing with Red Cross

Description:-cable is unplugged
Solution:-Check whether network cable is plugged or not
Situation:-Showing with Yellow sign
Description:-LAN is working on Automatic private IP.
Solution:- assign manually IP address
Situation:-Showing with disable

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Description:-LAN is disabled
Solution:-My network places ==> Local area connection ==> Right click ==> Enable (Follow
only if LAN card is disabled)
Situation:-Showing with firewall

Description:-LAN is firewall protected


Solution:-There is no need to on firewall unless you are connecting with internet.
To turn off firewall
My network place ==> properties ==>local area connection ==> properties ==>Aadvanced
==>Settings

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General==> Off

Next step is to check for these 4 necessary things

LAN cards drives

Client for Microsoft network

File and printer sharing services

Internet protocols (TCP/IP)

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If you don't found any of these here and then install that by using install button before going further.

Enable Windows XP Simple File Sharing


Since Windows XP Home Edition always uses Simple File Sharing, and Windows XP
Professional Edition uses it by default, we will stick with it in all our descriptions. If for some
reason you are using Windows XP Professional Edition and it is turned off, you may enable it by
going to the Tools menu in Windows Explorer and selecting Folder Options.

Select the View tab and scroll to the bottom of the options. Check the box next to Use Simple
File Sharing Recommended).

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Note :- how can we use special file sharing permission in workgroup ?


Ans. Just uncheck these options

To share files in Windows XP with Simple File Sharing enabled, follow these
steps:
Right-click the folder you wish to share and select Sharing And Security

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Click "If you understand the security risks but want to share files without running the wizard,
click here." This will activate file and printer sharing on this computer.

You might choose to run the Network Setup Wizard, but most steps of this wizard have been
accomplished, such as enabling file sharing are already done, and it is too easy to have it change
something for the worse. The Network Setup Wizard can establish configurations that are not
compatible with file sharing.
After clicking the preceding message, you will see the following dialog box: Choose Just
Enable File Sharing.

This folder is now set to share files with "read only" security. Users can read them but not
change them. If you wish to allow users to change files, click the check box next to Allow
Network Users To Change My Files.

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After clicking OK, you will see a "sharing hand" under the folder

Network users will see the following when they browse to your computer in My Network Places

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Printer Sharing
You should be familiar with network printer and local printer before you share printer.

Local printer is the printer that is attached with system directly.

Network printer is the printer that is attached with other system and we will use it via network.

Installing local printer


Attach physically and Start ==> Setting ==> printer and faxes

If you don't see any printer here its mean printer drive has not been installed and you have to
install it manually to do this Click on add a printer.

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This will launch add printer wizard

Select Local printer attached to this computer

Select the port on which you have attached the printer


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Select the manufacturer and model of your printer. if you have printer driver CD then use have
disk options

Give any name to your printer for example OfficePrinter, LabPrinter, anything that is close to
your specification
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If you want to print test page then choose Yes otherwise select No

Click on Finish to complete the Wizard

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Before sharing on network its best practice to test the printer. Do some printing.

Share Your Printer


Sharing a printer is very similar to sharing your folder.
Right-click the printer you wish to share and select Sharing.

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You will see the following dialog box. Click on If you understand the security risks.................

Select Share This Printer. Provide a name for the shared printer and Click OK

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sharing hand will appear under your printer

Installing Network printer


Network printer will be installed on all other computer. To install a network printer
Start ==> Setting ==> printer and faxes ==> Add a printer ==> Select Network printer

If you know the exact path of printer then type it otherwise Select Browse for a printer

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Select the printer

If you want to print test page then choose Yes otherwise select No

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Click on Finish to complete the Wizard

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