Peer to Peer Workgroup Setup

Peer to Peer Workgroup Setup

Hardware
1. NIC - each networking computer needs a network adapter to communicate with others.2. Hub or router - if you want to connect more than two machines and access the Internet, it is better to have a router to offer DHCP feature, easy setup and manage, and protect your computers.3. Cable or crossover cable - if you have only computers and save some money, you can have a crossover cable to connect those machines directly.
Configuration
1. Workgroup - it is better to setup a same workgroup on all computers2. Client for MS Network - must be enabled to access the network3. File and Printer Sharing - accessed computer should enable the File and Printer Sharing for other computers accessing4. User Accounts - for users logon and setup permission5. Permission - setup necessary permission for users to access network resources6. Protocol - TCP/IP is we want
We assume you have all computers physically connected to a router which is connecting to the Internet. The router is also a DHCP server.
Win9x Setup
To check or setup your network, open Control Panel>Network. Under Configuration tab, you should have Client for MS Networks, NIC, TCP/IP and perhaps File and Printer sharing for MS Networks. If you do not have click Add and then follow the instruction to install them. Also make sure you select Client for MS Networks as Primary Logon Network.
Now, double-click TCP/IP to check the TCP/IP settings. Normally, you should keep the default settings: Obtain a IP Address Automatically, no WINS, Gateway and DNS setting. This means all computers will get IP, DNS and Gateway from the router as the DHCP server.
Click Identification tab, type a unique name for each computer and the same group name for all computers.
If you want other machines access data or/and printer on this win9x, enable file and printer sharing, and right-click the folders you want to share. Following the instruction to finish the sharing.
Win2k/XP Setup
You will do the same network settings on win2k/XP by going to My Network Places. The differences are 1) you may want to check NetBIOS over TCP/IP by going to Properties of TCP/IP>Advanced. 2) If you have a laptop using at home and work, and you also want to have same peer-to-peer workgroup name as the same your company's domain, you should install the domain name as the workgroup name at home, then join the laptop to the domain (have your company administrator do that for you). 3) you need to create user accounts for each user logging on the network and access the resources. To do that, right-click My Computer>Manager>Local users and groups. This is very important step. 4) after creating all user accounts, you need to assign necessary permission for each user to access the computer. 4) if you this machine access both home and domain network, you are better to create one local logon matching the domain logon and also the password should be the same.
TestNow, it is the time to test your network settings. After reboot all computers, logon the user name you created in win2k (it is easy for sharing if you use just the same logon name on both win98 and win2k). Open My Neighborhood and My Network Places to check the sharing folders and printers.

Information From
http://www.howtonetworking.com/workgroupsetup.htm