Help with simple networking needed

Hi:

I’d like some advice, pointers on how to go about connecting two computers to each other via a router to share files, drives (maybe), a DSL connection (ISP uses dynamic addressing) and maybe a printer.

I’ve tried various web sites. Most of them seem to either deal mostly with wireless or quickly get involved with features/settings I don’t think I want/need.

The computer I use now (WinXP HE SP2) is connected to an external DSL modem without a router via the motherboard LAN/RJ45 port.

This computer will be reconfigured and have MS MCE2005 (WinXP Pro SP2) clean installed. I wish to use the same LAN/RJ45 port connector.

I am building a new main computer with WinXP Pro SP2 clean installed and wish to use its on-board LAN to connect to the router for DSL and file sharing.

I have ordered a 4-port hard wired router. Since both computers and the Home Theater they will be integrated with are in the same room, a hard wired LAN/router set up is not a problem.

Note: I am the only person with access to both of these computers and therefore the only user.

I also have a printer that will be connected to the main system that I’d like to have both boxes share if not too complex to set up.

Relevant gear:
Alcatel Speed Touch Home external ADSL
D-Link Express EtherNetwork DI-604 Router

Main System:
O/S: Windows XP Pro SP2 clean
Motherboard: Intel D955XBK i955XE/LGA775
On-board LAN: Intel 82573 Gigabit (10/100/1000 Mbits/sec)
Ethernet Controller and an RJ-45 LAN connector.
Printer: Epson Stylus Photo R300 USB2

System2:
O/S: MS Media Center 2005 (XP Pro SP2) clean
Motherboard: Asus P4T533-C s478/i850e
On-board LAN: Intel 82562ET PHY10BASE-T/100BASE-TX Fast Ethernet w/RJ-45
LAN connector.

What are the basic steps I should follow to get this properly done?

What are the basic types of connection terms and settings I would need to look at to avoid all the info I don’t need and the order in which they are done?

Is file, drive and printer sharing best left to configure later after the LAN/router/ISP connections are established?

Any help, tips appreciated,

 

Piece of cake!

Sharing printer, best option is to have print server for your printer or printer that has network card built in, then just plug into any port on your router.

Or
You can just connect printer to one of your PC's connected to your router, doing this way is fine but the computer that has the printer connected to it will have to be on to be able to print from another PC & when printing it will possibly slow what ever process is running.

To setup your network, both your PC's have XP & SP2, makes it sooo simple, just go to control pannel, click on Network Setup & run the Setup Wizard it will walk ya thru it, do the same on both your PC's, and then if your printer is connected directly to one PC, on the other PC that doesnt have printer Go to start or control pannel, Printers and Faxes, then click on add a printer & run the add a printer wizard.

Ya didnt say what brand of router your purchasing, Setup of your router should be simple, just read ya manual.

What ever firewall your running you will need to allow sharing.

Any problems just post em.

 

Log to this page it has a lot of links to instructions to Windows Network Settings, and Sharing.

Link to: Windows Network - Installing & Sharing.

The whole thing should look like this: Diagram of Broadband Connection with Cable/DSL Router. (ignore the antenna).

Link to: DSL Routers and PPPOE.

 

Hi:

ASUS: Thank you very much for the info. There is so much I don't need to know on this topic.

BTW, I did mention the router.
"Relevant gear:
Alcatel Speed Touch Home external ADSL
D-Link Express EtherNetwork DI-604 Router"

I picked that one after someone told me it was about the simplest wired router around.
I'm new at routers and networking computers so it seemed like a good idea.
I have since found Epson's documentation on how to add their printer into a network ... just as you described.
The speed loss shouldn't be an issue. The printer is USB2 which is likely overkill for a device like that anyway.

Thanks again and also to Cat5e for the links.