How to Configure peer to peer workgroup network Step by Step Guide

How will you set up this workgroup network?

• Determine your requirements
• Choose between wired and wireless media
• Map your physical network
• Map your logical network
• Create a utilization plan

We assume that you have gone through these steps and come with a plan to use 4 computers with star topology for this network.

Computers	4 With any descriptive Name
Operating system	windows XP professional and vista
Topology	Star
Printer	One
Modem	One
Workgroup Name	Mouse

Now follow these steps :-

Install XP and Vista on all four computers.

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.

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

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

To avoid future problem follow these simple rules in choosing name

1. Computer name should be unique in a workgroup.
2. Workgroup name should be same for all computer.
3. 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 ; : " < > * + = \ | ?.
4. 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.

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.

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

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 

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 

Next step is to check for these 4 necessary things

• LAN cards drive
• Client for Microsoft network
• File and printer sharing services
• Internet protocols (TCP/IP

If you don't found any of these here and then install that by using install button before going further Once you have completed these steps then go to our next article

How to configure peer to peer workgroup network step by step guide part-2








Select the Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) and click Properties. You will be presented with the following dialog box: 









Select the Use The Following IP Address option and configure the IP address you have been assigned by your company or you have chosen for your network 

	PC1-LAN1	PC1-LAN2	PC2	PC3	PC4
IP address	192.168.1.2	192.168.1.3	192.168.1.4	192.168.1.5	192.168.1.6
Subnet mask	255.255.255.0	255.255.255.0	255.255.255.0	255.255.255.0	255.255.255.0
Default Gateway	192.168.1.1	192.168.1.1	192.168.1.3	192.168.1.3	192.168.1.3
Preferred DNS server	202.56.224.153	202.56.224.153	192.168.1.3	192.168.1.3	192.168.1.3
Alternate DNS server	202.56.230.6	202.56.230.6	-----------	-----------	-----------

Important:- For your DNS Server IP please contact your ISP

You have given your computer a unique address that will allow it to communicateon your network.
Keep these things always in minds whenever you deal with IP address to make communications between two computers:-

1. Network address must be same and host address must be difference
2. If network address is difference a Router will be require to make communications

Next Step:- Run Set up a home or small office Network Wizard

XP have a nice feature to make your tasks much easier called set up a home or small office network wizard. By This wizard you can share internet connection, set up widows firewall. Share printer, share file and folder.
To Run this wizard

My Network Place ==> Properties ==> Set up a home or small office network wizard ==> Click on Next 

Here your are asked to check all necessary components 

In this step select the statement that meet your internet requirement

You should choose first option when your computer is directly connected to internet as shown in figure

You should choose second option when your computer is connected to internet via other computer as shown in figure

In this step you can change computer name ( Not recommended, for this use my computer’s properties )

Now set correct workgroup name (Default will be MSHOME) 

This is the summary of options you have selected if you have made any mistake go back and correct 

Wizard is setting up your workgroup

Choose last options to finish this wizard 

Click on finish

As the system setting has changed you should be prompt for restart Click on yes

Once you have completed these steps you are ready to move on second part towards completing Peer to PeerWorkgroup Network set up..