Network Configuration for Win95

Network Configuration for Win95/98/ME

This page is only for Windows 95/98/ME !

You should have now on your desktop the icon for the "Network Neighborhood":

Right-click on "Network Neighborhood" and select from the context/pop-up menu "Properties" to display the Network Configuration
or via the applet "Network" in the "Control-Panel:

Depending on your Windows version, different items will be shown in the Network Configuration:

windows95:

(to get all entries listed, I copy/pasted all entries into one
graphic, you would have to scroll to see all of them)
On Windows95, the installation of a Network
card would also install:
- "Client for Netware Networks"
- IPX/SPX compatible Protocol
- NetBEUI protocol

windows98orMe:

Starting with Windows98, only the
"Client for Microsoft Networks" and the
TCP/IP protocol will be installed.

Note: There is no need to be concerned about making mistakes in the Network Configuration:
	if you made a mistake and deleted too much (or you think you make a mistake), just exit the Network Configuration by selecting *"Cancel":* then none for your changes made since calling up the Network Configuration will be stored ! This allows to start again to make modifications

If you like, you can start all-over again:

- select the PCI-network card and click on the button "Remove" to delete it.
Then exit the Network Configuration by selecting "OK". You will be
prompted to reboot, and when you reboot windows will again detect the network card allowing you to start again the configuration.

A word on the network protocols and its usage on Network adapters:

Have a look at the lines for Protocol:

Sometime protocols are listed multiple times, with the "arrow ->" to different adapters:

It shows you, which protocol will be used with the different network adapters.
(this is called a "Binding")

In the example on the left, I am communicating both on the dial-up adapter (my modem to connect to the Internet) and on the local
network with TCP/IP.

In case I decide to communicate only to the Internet with TCP/IP, but with NetBEUI on the local network, I simply "Add" the "Protocol" "NetBEUI" provided by the manufacturer "Microsoft"

When adding a protocol, Windows assumes that you like to use it to communicate on all defined network adapters. Select now the un-wanted combinations
(in my example: NetBEUI on the Dialup- adapter and TCP/IP on the LAN) and "Remove" them

This system is now configured to communicate on the Dial-Up Adapter (to the Internet) using TCP/IP protocol and on the local network
(using the PCI Ethernet card) using NetBEUI protocol.

Lets adjust the Network configuration to our needs:
1) Delete everything, which is NOT required

You have a Home network (or a company
network) without a Novel-Netware Server? no need for the "Client for Netware Networks",
select it (single click) and "Remove " it

You had previously decided on the Network Protocol to be used? for the protocols NOT required( or the "Bindings"=Combination of Protocol to Network adapter not required), select the line listing the protocol and
"Remove" them.
(example: a home network without
a Novell-server and no need to use
IPX/SPX due to games, so I am deleting it)

2) Configure the protocols

NetBEUI:	Nothing to Configure
IPX/SPX compatible	On a network WITHOUT a server , you need to define the Frame-Type
TCP/IP	I hope , that you first had a look at TCP/IP basics, so that you know what you are now configuring:

There is usually no need to configure
TCP/IP for a Dial-Up Adapter, the default values work for most connections (unless otherwise requested by your Internet Service Provider)
Select the TCP/IP for your PCI-Ethernet card,
and ask for the "Properties":
On the tab: "IP-address" , by default your
system is configured to "obtain an IP-address
automatically" (via a DHCP-server or Windows98 Auto-IP Configuration).

Select to "Specify an IP-address" and
enter your IP-address (usually: 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.1.2 or 192.168.1.3 or....),
then enter "Subnet Mask": 255.255.255.0

For a simple home-network, that is all what is
required

3) Activate File and Print Sharing

By default, Windows only install the network
components to allow your system to connect
to a network to access data/files and printers
on other computers.

But since you purchase a network to
exchange data between multiple systems,
you need now to configure this system to
allow other systems to get to the data on
your disk and to print on your printer:

click on "File and Print Sharing", select
to give access to your files and to your
printer.

4) Select your "Primary Network Logon"

You will need later to Logon to the network:
to identify yourself.
Please, select as "Primary Network Logon"
to use the "Client for Microsoft Networks"

5) Define the names for the computer and workgroup

You have decided already on the name for your computer and for your workgroup
(you may have been prompted already
after the first reboot to define these names).

Select in the Network configuration the tab: "Identification" and enter your
"Computer name"
(MUST be UNIQUE on the network)
and your "Workgroup" name
(MUST the IDENTICAL(same) on all systems)

just to cover the Network applet completely:

tab : "Access Control"

Windows 95/98/ME is only offers limited security,
one of the limitations is that you can only use
"Share-level access control" when later
sharing a disk, folder or printer
("User-level access control" is only
available , if there is either an NT-system
or Novell Netware server on the network,
from which Windows can borrow a
real User-Database).

Once everything is configured, select "OK" to close the Network applet.
Any change to the network will require a restart:

Next Step: Test the Network Connection

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