HOWTO Setup
Small / Home Network
2 - Communications

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2.1   LOCAL COMMUNICATIONS:

Your computer should be able to communicate with itself.   The IP Address to itself is always 127.0.0.1 and the Host name is localhost.   To do this you "ping" an address.   This sends out a request to a computer at that IP Addresse.   The computer then sends a reply (See 5.2).

2.1.1 - PING LOCAL:

Apple OS-X:  System Preferences > Applications > Utilities > Network Utility > Ping:

127.0.0.1

localhost

Linux / UNIX:  Open terminal:

$ ping -c5 127.0.0.1

$ ping -c5 localhost

Microsoft: [Start] > [Run]:   Note that if nothing is returned, the screen will disapper quickly.

Note that if nothing is returned, the screen will disapper quickly.

ping 127.0.0.1

ping localhost

Webmin: Networking > Network Utilities.

ping -c5 127.0.0.1

ping -c5 localhost

2.1.2 - EXAMPLE OF CORRECT OUTPUT:

PING 127.0.0.1 (127.0.0.1) from 127.0.0.1 : 56(84) bytes of data.
64 bytes from 127.0.0.1: icmp_seq1 ttl=255 time=0.075 ms
64 bytes from 127.0.0.1: icmp_seq1 ttl=255 time=0.041 ms
64 bytes from 127.0.0.1: icmp_seq1 ttl=255 time=0.042 ms
64 bytes from 127.0.0.1: icmp_seq1 ttl=255 time=0.044 ms
64 bytes from 127.0.0.1: icmp_seq1 ttl=255 time=0.044 ms
--- 127.0.0.1 ping statistics ---
5 packets transmitted, 5 received, 0% loss, time 3997ms
rtt min/avg/max/mdev = 0.041/0.049/0.075/0.013 ms

2.1.3 - NO RESPONSE:

This should be all setup by default at installation of your Operating System and there should be no problem.

But sometimes Microsoft systems need to have pieces installed.   I suggest checking out through your Help menu ([Start] > [Help]).   It probably has to do with TPC/IP not being installed.

In Linux, suggest searching Linux in Google or In OS-X, suggest searching Mac in Google

2.2   CONFIGURE HOST NAME:

This is the name of your computer. We will also set the Microsoft Work Group name.

This should be a short name.   Suggest useing all lower case, with only letters, numbers, underscore and dashes.   But in some Microsoft systems they will be changed to all upper case.

2.2.1   APPLE OS-X:

System Preferences > [Internet & Network] > [Sharing].   Then enter the Host Name in the "Computer Name" box.

2.2.2   LINUX / UNIX - WEBMIN:

This is probably already set up at Operating System installation time. To check your host name, enter the following on the command line:

$ hostname -v

To change, continue.

Go to [Networking or Hardware] > [Network Configuration] > [DNS Client].

Host Name = enter yourcomputername.yournetworkname.

2.2.3   MICROSOFT 98:

In Control Panel > [Network] select "File and Printer Sharing for Microsoft Networks" right click to [Properties].

Browse master = Enabled.

LM Announce = No

[OK] > [Identification].

Computer Name = thishostname

Workgroup = workgroupname

[ACCESS CONTROL]

Share Level = Checked.

[OK].

2.2.4   MICROSFT 2000:

[Start] > [Settings] > [Network and Dial Up Connections] > select [Network Identification] > [Properties].

Computer Name = "hostname"

Workgroup = Checked

Workgroup = "workgroupname"

[OK].

2.2.5   MICROSFT XP:

[Start] > [Control Panel] > [Network and Internet Connections] > [Set up or change your home of small office network] > [Next] > [Next].

Check "This computer to the Internet through another computer .... ".

Computer Name = "hostname"

[Next].

Workgroup = "workgroupname"

[Next] > [Next] > Select "Just Finish the Wisard ..." > [Next] > [Finish].

2.3   NETWORK INTERFACE

Here is where we configure the network interfaces. Actually, by default, there is little to do.

2.3.1   APPLE OS-X:

System Preferences > [Network].   Location: = "Automatic".   Show = "Built in Network".

Select [TCP/IP]. Configure = "DHCP"

Currently DHCP Client IP is left blank. Maybe it should be 192.168.1.254, the address of the router.

2.3.2   LINUX / UNIX - WEBMIN:

Go to [Networking] > [Network Configuration] > [Network Interfaces].

Under "Interfaces Activated at Boot Time", your Loopback device should be listed as Name = lo. Settings of: IP Address = 127.0.0.1, Netmask = 255.0.0.0, Broadcast = 127.255.255.255 & Start At Boot = Yes.

Your Ethernet card should be listed as Name = eth0. Settings of: IP Address = From DHCP, Netmask = 255.255.255.0, Broadcast = 192.168.1.255. & Start At Boot = Yes.

Maybe it should be 192.168.1.254? or blank?

Go back to the [Network Configuration] screen, then [Routing & Gateways]. Settings should be: Default Route Device = None, Act as Router? = No.

Go back to the [Network Configuration] screen, then [DNS Client]. Settings should be: Host Name = mycomputername.mynetworkname, Resolution Order = Hosts, NIS+, NIS, DNS, DNS Server = 192.168.1.254, Search Domains = None.

Host Name = mycomputername.mynetworkname  

Resolution Order = Hosts, NIS+, NIS, DNS, DNS

DNS Server = 192.168.1.254

Search Domains = None.

2.3.3   MICROSOFT 98:

2.3.3.1   HARDWARE - NETWORK CARD:

From the Control Panel, go to [System] > [Device Manager] > check [View devices by Type] > Open [Network Adaptors]

If the card has been installed and detected, an "... Ethernet Adaptor" should be listed.  [OK].

2.3.3.2   NETWORK:

From the Control Panel, go to [Network] > [Configuration].

The following should be installed. an "nameofcard ... Ethernet Adaptor" should be listed.

Primary Network Login = "Client for Microsoft Networks".

Select Fast Ethernet Adaptor, (mine reads "Linksys LNE100TX[v5] Fast Ethernet Adapter).   Click on [Properties] as follows;

[Driver type]

Enhance Mode checked.

[Bindings]

TCP/IP - Fast Ethernet Adaptor checked.

[Advanced]

Flow Control = Enabled.

Link Wakeup - off-on = Enabled.

Magic Packet = Enabled

Media Type = AutpoSense

Priority Packet = Disabled

VLAN ID = Not present

Wake up on LAN = Enabled.

[OK] > [Close].

Select [TCP/IP ... Ethernet Adaptor] (mine reads "TCP/IP- > Linksys LNE100TX[v5] Fast Ethernet Adapter"), click on [Properties].

[DNS Configure]

Disable DNS checked.

[Gateway]

With cable modem on router = empty

Without router = nothing

[WINS Configuration]

Disable WINS Resolution checked.

[IP Address]

"Obtain an IP Address Automatically".   

[Bindings]

Client for Microsoft Networks checked.

File and Printer Sharing for Microsoft Networks checked.

2.3.3   MICROSOFT XP:

2.3.3.1   HARDWARE - NETWORK CARD:

[Start] > [Control Panel] > [Network and Internet Connections] > [Network Connections] > [Local Area Connections] > right click to [Properties] > [General]

Connection using = "TCP/IP ... Fast Ethernet Adapter"

This connection uses the following items;

Client for Microsft Networks = Checked.

File and Print Sharing for Microsoft Networks = Checked.

QoS Packet Schedular = Checked.

Internet Protocal (TCP/IP) = Checked.

[Autentication]

Enable IEE Smart Card or Other = Checked.

EAP Type - "Smart Card or other Certificate"

Authenticate as Computer when Information is Avalible = Checked.

Authenticate as Guest when User or Computer Information is Avalible = Checked.

[OK] > [Close] > Close window.

2.4   CONNECT WITH ROUTER

Plug in the cables and look at the LED lights.

2.4.1 - CONNECTION:

Plug in the cables between the computer and the switch or router.

2.4.2 - LED LIGHTS:

Check that LED lights are lit and correct on network card, back of computer.   Normally two LED lights are lit. A Mac does not have an LED light.

Check that LED lights are lit and correct on switch box or router.   Normally two LED lights ar lit.

Note:  Apple Mac does not have LED lights.

2.4.2 - PING ROUTER:

Ping the router, which should have an address of 192.168.1.254.

2.5   ROUTER CONFIGURE:

This is the configuration of the router.

After the computer has been connected to the Router Box, you should be able to access the router through your browser using http://192.168.1.254.   This will require a user name and / or password.   Check you specific router instructions.

9.1 - DHCP Server:

Enabling this will give the ability to the Router to assign IP Addresses to each machine that is logged on.   Hence you do not have to set each machines own IP Address.

2.5.2 - NAT:

Make sure this is enabled.

2.5.3 - SET LAN IP ADDRESSES:

Set the range of the IP Addresses to use. This will probably be 192.168.1.1 through 192.168.1.253.

2.5.4 - NETWORK MASK:

Set at 255.255.255.0.

2.5.5 - LEASE TIME:

This is how long your computer stays with the same IP Address. I do not recomment "Forever".

2.5.6 - DOMAIN NAME:

I have not figured out what this is yet on my Siemens yet.

2.6   TEST INTERNET ACCESS:

You should now have Internet access.   Open your favorite Browser and check.

2.7   TEST COMMUNICATION:

Your computer should be able to communicate with other computers on the LAN.

Log into router and note the IP Addresses and Host Names of other computers on network.

Also see 5.3 - Network Information for a number of ways to get network information.

2.7.1 - TEST IP:

Ping other computers IP Address.   You shoud get a reply.

2.7.2 - TEST HOST NAME:

Ping other computers by their Host Name.   You shoud get a reply.

Note;  I have had a problem getting a reply using the Host Name.

2.8   VIEW OTHER COMPUTERS:

Also see 5.3 - Network Information for a number of ways to get network information.

2.8.1   APPLE OS-X:

2.8.2   LINUX / UNIX - WEBMIN:

findsmb and arp

2.8.3   MICROSOFT 98:

2.8.3   MICROSOFT XP:

[Start] > [My Network Places]

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Updated;   This page was last updated on Mar 07 , 2015 .