Peer2Peer

Skip all the intro crap

Peer-to-peer networks have workstations connected to each other but do not have servers.
Files can be shared between workstations, and a printer connected to one workstation can be accessed by another workstation.
Peer-to peer networks are often much simpler to set up than client/server networks. However, they lack some of the advantages normally associated with networks such as centrally managed security and ease of backing up files.
Peer-to-peer networks would really only be set up among a few computers within an office or single room, or as a home network to share internet connection, or play LAN games

Setting up a peer2peer network

makes sure these things are in place before start

• You are administrator of the machine
• you are the same workgroup ('my computer' 'properties' and 'computer name')
• no two computer names are the same ('my computer' 'properties' and 'computer name')
• your network cards are installed ('my computer' 'properties' 'hardware' 'device manager' and you will see if there is a problem in there)
• to see if network cards are working

Onced you have all the network cards in your pc, then you can start plugging wires in (see getting started) once each cable is pluged into the back of each machine (see diagram), windows xp network setup wizards do a lot of the hard work.(make sure you are a computer administrator before you start) if you right click on my network places, and click properties, that will show all you network connections, choose the connection you want to connect threw to the other pc. once the connection is established you will be able to share files and printers etc... you also need to check that your pcs will actually connect to each other once you have clicked network places you need to setup a 'small home or office network' and then the wizrd will do everything for you all you need to do see below for diagrams, when it has finished setting up, if you double click my network places you should see the shared folders, you should see your own shared documents and the other pcs shared documents. if not.... check these items:

adding internet to your network

to add the internet to your network, you simply add a second ethernet card, if you are using broadband, (you may have to registor your Mac address with them, contact your service provider for futher info) you will just beable to plug in your ethernet cable, and that should be it. it is that simple. then to share that connection. you right click on your internet connection, and you share that connection.