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ellory
- Thrifty Member
rated:
posted: Mar. 20, 2005 @ 2:57p 
My printer is not near my computer. How can I print?
The simplest answer is to use the printer sharing solution. There are two downsides. One is that the printer must be connect to a computer. The other is that it must be turned on. On the other hand, this is the most cost effective solution.
The other answer is to use a print server. The print server is additional hardware and software that takes the place of the computer controlling the printer directly.
Print servers can be built into the printer. Or they can be purchased aftewards. When they're built into the printer, the printers are generally advertised as "network ready"
If you buy a standalone print server, you should be aware of two things
1. Make sure you know whether you need to connect it to a USB or parallel port printer as some print servers do not support both
2. You should expect some of the enhanced capabilities of the printer - where the printer sends information to the PC (e.g. low ink warning message) will not work. As the print will send the message to the print server - which is not sophisticated enough to deal with it
And they can be wired or wireless ethernet. The most expensive, but most capable/flexible solution is to buy a printer with a built in wireless print server.
Example of a network ready printer (Wired)
Example of network ready wireless printer
Example of wireless print server
A final choice: Some printers support PANs (Personal Area Networks) via (wireless) Bluetooth. If your printer does, you can add a USB bluetooth adapator to print directly from your PC/laptop to the printer. No print server or 802.11 network requried
Note A USB /ethernet bridge will not make a USB Windows printer network capable. This is because a network printer alos requires a print server - software on the printer to store the print information until it prints. The USB/ethernet bridge provides connectivity but not a print server |
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ellory
- Thrifty Member
rated:
posted: Mar. 20, 2005 @ 2:58p
Is wireless safe? What should I worry about?
With a strong password, WPA can be viewed as secure. WEP should only be viewed as enough to stop casual eavesdropping. If you use WEP you should expect that if someone wants your data, that they can get it.
WPA is, for all practical purposes, unbreakable. It, like other security does have an exposure - brute force dictionary attacks. i.e. just keep picking passwords and trying them.
To prevent this, choose a strong password. Steve Gibson's password generator site is an ideal place to get a randon password https://www.grc.com/passwords Its one time generation, and is as close to random and strong as anything that can be generated. Because it relies on SSL encryption, the password it serves will be delivered securely to you, even over an otherwise insecure connection
And, because it prevents akami and other services from caching it, no one, even if you generated it over a public computer, can even see what you got once you close the web page, navigate to another site or refresh
If you use your wireless network at home, or at the office, and it is set up as discussed earlier (WPA security; router password; unique SSID ) then you can consider wireless safe enough for financial transactions.
However, when connecting to an unknown access point or a public hot spot, you should only consider information secure if you are using corporate VPN security which sets up a secure end-to-end tunnel
Absent VPN tunnels, from a public hot spot, or unknown access point, do not perform any financial transactions. Do not access anything that requires a password that you would not freely hand out on the street
Even secure websites (those with the little "key / locked" icon) are vulnerable to attacks. For example a Man-In-The-Middle attack coupled with an Evil Twin Access Point can compromise even otherwise secure websites |
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ellory
- Thrifty Member
rated:
posted: Mar. 20, 2005 @ 2:58p
I have Xp Pro Sp2 on all my machines. How do I share a folder on the network but limit it to specific computers I specify?
You need to disable Simple File Sharing:
To disable Simple File Sharing in Windows XP Pro, click start, double-click My Computer, Tools, Folder Options, View tab, at the bottom of the list uncheck Use simple file sharing...
Then you need to set up a user Account on machine A that allows the user logon on B, with password (ideally matches the logon on B) and vice versa.
Finally you need to share the folders you wish on a user by user basis.
You should then be able to browse and find and access the folders |
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ellory
- Thrifty Member
rated:
posted: Mar. 20, 2005 @ 2:58p
I took my laptop away for a few days, and when I came back Ihave internet connection but can't share files or printers
In all likelihood, one or both of the following holds true
1. You have software firewalls installed on your PCs and your router is handing out DHCP addresses. In this case, when you reconnect, the router hands out an IP address outside of the "trusted zone." The software firewall then blocks the connection
Solutions: Temporarily disable the software firewall to verify the problem /solution. Then either (a) expand the IP range of the software firewall to match the DHCP assignment range of the router, or restrict the DHCP range of the router to match the software firewall "safe" IP addresses. Reboot and you're good to go
2. You are using the Windows Wireless Zero Configuration Utility (WZC). This has many known problems
Solution: Download and install the latest version of the wireless configuration utility from your wireless NIC card supplier. Use that utility instead of WZC |
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ellory
- Thrifty Member
rated:
posted: Mar. 20, 2005 @ 2:58p
Special issues with verizon dsl, Westell modems and Linksys routers
Verizon's latest Westell modems have a built in router that hands out IP addresses in the 192.168.1.x range. It also has built in PPPoE logon capability.
Together, these capabilities conflict with a standard Linksys router configuration for DSL, which also assigns IP addresses in the 192.168.1.x range. And also is normally configured for PPPoE.
Here's how to solve the problem
Alternative 1:
1. Connect the Linksys router to a PC via the LAN port.
2. Leave the WAN port vacant.
3.Reboot the PC and login into the Linksys router
4.Change the default IP address range to 192.168.2.1
5. Ensure the network type is set to DHCP (since the Westell modem is doing the PPPoE login)
6. Power everything down
7. Connect the Linksys router WAN to the DSL modem. Reboot everything and you're good to go
Alternative 2:
1. Connect the PC to the Westell modem and login to its management interface.
2. Configure the Westell modem through its management interface and put it into bridge mode
3. Power down everything.
4. Reconnect DSL modem--Linksys Router--Computers
5. Reboot
6 Configure Linksys router through its management interface with PPPoE, DSL logon and password
Alternative 3:
Verizon has finally figured out there is an issue and posted their own instructions |
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ellory
- Thrifty Member
rated:
posted: Mar. 20, 2005 @ 2:58p
Compatability: Does the network device I buy have to be the same brand? What about my broadband modem?
a, b, g, n, pre-N: Which do I want?
All network devices that are built to standards are compatable - so when this is true you don't have to worry about brand. And the devices are often backward compatable.
For wired devices. 10/100/1000 baseT wired ethernet devices are compatable/ backward compatable, regardless of brand
For wireless devices
- 802.11a devices are compatable, regardless of brand, and run at 54M
- 802.11b devices are compatable, regardless of brand, and run at 10M
- 802.11g devices are compatable, regardless of brand,and are backward compatable to all brands of 802.11b hardware, and run at 54M
- 802.11 "super g" devices have not yet had their standards finalized and will only work at "super g" speeds (108M) with other "super g" devices of the same brand. However, regardless of brand, they are backward compatable to all brands of 802.11b/g hardware
- 802.11 "pre-N" devices have not yet had their standards finalized and will only work at "pre-N" 54M speeds with other "pre-N" devices of the same brand. However, regardless of brand, they are backward compatable to all brands of 802.11b/g hardware
Pre-N devices, due to the use of MIMO (Multiple Input/Mutliple Output Antennas) improve range. This has been benchmarked by a number of independent evaluation sites. This is true even with a pre-N router and legacy b and g devices.
The "bridging" capability (See post about extending range) is not yet standards based and is only guaranteed to work within brand. However, people have reported success in getting Linksys and Belkin devices to successfully bridge with each other. Note that in bridge mode, many vendors only support WEP security, not WPA or WPA 2
Note that when you mix brands, the vendor provided installation wizards are less functional. All vendors, however, support manual configuration
The wired ports on any wireless devices are completely standards based and are compatable with any other wired ethernet device
For Broadband modems
- Cable modems are standards based, and any brand should work. However your cable company will need to know the MAC address of the cable modem in order for you to pass their security authentication and be allowed to connect
- DSL modems, on the other hand, are not standards based (on the uplink port). Therefore, you must check with your provider if you want to change modems. (The downlink port that you connect to your own computer/network is ethernet 10base T standards based
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isles1
- Senior Member - 7K
rated:
posted: Mar. 23, 2005 @ 4:37p
Now that's motivation. Good work! |
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wfay
- Senior Member - 4K
rated:
posted: Mar. 29, 2005 @ 9:19a
This is a great resource OP.
If anyone is looking for specific information about the Belkin F5D7230-4 Wifi-G router, please check out my thread. |
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johnstexas
- Senior Member - 2K
rated:
posted: Apr. 9, 2005 @ 8:32a
This is a very informative post, but doesn't explain how to do some things, like:
7. Configure PPPoE with logon/password for DSL or DHCP for cable modem
8. Enable IPSec Passthrough if you need to connect to a VPN at the office
I am trying to set up a network consisting of 3 computers. Here is what we have:
SBC Yahoo! DSL
Speedstream(?) Cable Modem
Netgear WGR614 Router
Computer 1 (Linkworld) is a custom-built PC with K7S5A Pro mobo (includes NIC), Athlon 2000+, etc.
Computer 2 (GQ) is a GQ computer from Fry's with NIC built in. There is also a Syntax USB adapter connected to it.
Computer 3 (eMachines) is an eMachines T1090. Also has a Siemens Speedstream USB network adapter. No NIC.
Linkworld, GQ, cable modem and Router are in the same room. Currently, I have the cable modem connected to the router and the router connected to the NICs in the first two computers. Both computers can get the DSL. In a perfect world though, GQ would be connected wirelessly to the router, rather than having to drag a cable across the floor. Also, eMachines should be connected wirelessly too (Currently, it is not connected to the DSL at all.)
And of course, security is very important. I don't want credit cards or passwords flying through the air on an unsecured connection.
Previously, I had tried (when we were on dial-up) setting up an Ad Hoc connection between the eMachines and an old CTX using two Speedstram adapters, but it was very hard to set up and I needed someone's help and once I got it going, it stopped, so I pretty much gave up.
So now that I have the DSL, I would like to first get it set up wirelessly to all of the computers (except Linkworld can be wired, since it is right next to the router) and eventually file and printer sharing. How EXACTLY do I go about doing this?
Thanks. |
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HukaShakaHukaHuka
- Happy Member
rated:
posted: Apr. 12, 2005 @ 9:44p
Many Gracias! Ellory Da MAN! |
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BeTeP
- Senior Member
rated:
posted: Apr. 16, 2005 @ 5:29p
Any solutions on how to connect WESTELL 327W and Dell 1450 WIFI ??? |
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DragonsLore
- 127.0.0.1
rated:
posted: Apr. 16, 2005 @ 8:08p
The Westell VersaLink 327W is known to have some problems, but it is a good DSL modem.
Now connecting to this modem should be very easy.
Open your browser and go to http://192.168.1.1/ <<---This is your DSL modem
The username and password should be the same as your DSL account.
In the page that opens, bring your cursor over "Connections" and a drop down
menu will appear, select "Wireless" It will request your login info.
- 1) "Wireless operation" set to enabled.
- 2) "Mode" set to "Mixed"
- 3) "4x Support" set to "Enabled"
DO NOT fool around with the "Advanced Configuration" unless someone
who knows what they are doing talks you through this.
- 4) "Authentication Type" set this to "Shared Key"
- 5) "WEP Security" set this to "Enabled"
- 6) "Key Select" set to "Key 1" then enter a 13 digit (128-bit) alpha numeric code.
Now unless you are going to be needing more than one key, you only need to set
the first one. So unless your 802.11 card supports higher, set
this to 128-bit encryption and be sure to save the details to a text file in
case you ever need to look it up again. You'll also need this key for setting
up your connection on your system.
Also be sure to include the "Network Name (SSID)" in the file, this will be needed.
- 7) "Hide SSID" set this to "Enabled"
- 8) "MAC Address Filtering" this is optional and can be left "Disabled"
Now hit the "Save" button and you are now ready to setup your wireless connection on your system.
Now use Start > Programs > Accessories > Communications > Wireless Network Setup Wizard
If you have any problems with your 1450 mini-PCI card, go to the DellTalk Forums
and do a search for 1450 and you should be able to find some threads which can point
you to better drivers located on the HP website for your card.
As to your VersaLink DSL modem, you'll find that any problems which occur with this
are caused by excessive heat buildup inside the modem housing. If you look at the way
the case is built, you'll notice that the cooling vents are very restrictive and not
very good for cooling. This is what causes the problems you'll read about in some other
forums.
To fix this, carefully open the case and remove the circuit board being careful not
to damage it and take note of how it goes back in. Now using either an X-acto knife
or a Dremel, you can open the cooling vents in the case by cutting out the obstructing
vents.
Once you finish, reassemble the modem and everything should work great after that
cause with the vents open, there won't be any heat buildup to cause any problems.
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MissChievous
- Senior Member - 6K
rated:
posted: Apr. 17, 2005 @ 7:32p
Awesome post.
One question though: I am getting a new computer tomorrow. I just shared all my files, and they are all on my kids computer too. Now if I delete files from this computer, will they also be deleted from my kids computer? (like my pictures etc). If so, how can I avoid that? |
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ellory
- Thrifty Member
rated:
posted: Apr. 17, 2005 @ 8:02p
If the files are shared, then there is only one version. Deleting the files will completely remove them.
If the files are a copy, then there are two versions.
If you have only shared them, then you can make a copy on the kids computer via standard windows drag and drop copy capbilities (on the kids computer open the shared files and make a copy. It would, of course, be good practice to also burn a copy to CD |
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