Re: Wireless Network

mumof2 wrote:

> Please help before I throw things.....
>
> I have a Netgear Wireless router & 2 pcs, 1 Laptop, they can all connect
> to the Internet fine with their own ip address's (192.168.0.3 - 5)
>
> however, no matter how many times I have run wizards, troubleshooters
> etc..etc.. I cannot get them to see each other or ping each other ?
>
> I have tried changing workgroup (all set to same), SSID for Network is
> Michelle, although router is Netgear
>
> What am I doing/missing ? please help

I don't know what you are "doing/missing" because I can't see your setup,
but usually the problem you're having is caused by misconfigured or missed
firewalls. Running the Network Setup Wizard automatically turns on the XP
SP2 Windows Firewall.

If you aren't running a third-party firewall or have an antivirus
with "Internet Worm Protection" (like Norton 2005/06) which acts as a
firewall, then you're fine. If you have third-party firewall software,
configure it to allow the Local Area Network traffic as trusted. I usually
do this with my firewalls with an IP range. Ex. would be
192.168.1.0-192.168.1.254. Obviously you would substitute your correct
subnet.

If that doesn't work for you, here is an excellent network troubleshooter by
MVP Hans-Georg Michna. Take the time to go through it and it will usually
pinpoint the problem area(s) - http://winhlp.com/wxnet.htm

Malke
--
Elephant Boy Computers
www.elephantboycomputers.com
"Don't Panic!"
MS-MVP Windows - Shell/User

Malke

mumof2 wrote:

> Malke - you are a star
>
> I have changed my anti-virus firewalls to allow exceptions for a range &
> can see each other fab however,,, one question does this now mean that if
> my router is not secure and someone attached,, could they see my files ?

You need to use the highest level of encryption on the wireless router that
all your devices (laptops, etc.) support. If the laptop is fairly new, it
will support WPA-PSK. In addition, the Local Area Network is private and
not seen from the Internet. But yes, you must make the network secure. Here
are some links to help you with that (easy).

Wireless - Basic Configuration - http://www.ezlan.net/Wireless_Config.html
Wireless - Basic Security - http://www.ezlan.net/Wireless_Security.html
MVP Barb Bowman on wireless security - http://tinyurl.com/56fc5

Malke
--
Elephant Boy Computers
www.elephantboycomputers.com
"Don't Panic!"
MS-MVP Windows - Shell/User

Malke

mumof2 wrote:
> Malke - you are a star
>
> I have changed my anti-virus firewalls to allow exceptions for a range & can
> see each other fab however,,, one question does this now mean that if my
> router is not secure and someone attached,, could they see my files ?
>
> What would be the simplest way to secure it all ?
>
> "Malke" wrote:
>
>> mumof2 wrote:
>>
>>> Please help before I throw things.....
>>>
>>> I have a Netgear Wireless router & 2 pcs, 1 Laptop, they can all connect
>>> to the Internet fine with their own ip address's (192.168.0.3 - 5)
>>>
>>> however, no matter how many times I have run wizards, troubleshooters
>>> etc..etc.. I cannot get them to see each other or ping each other ?
>>>
>>> I have tried changing workgroup (all set to same), SSID for Network is
>>> Michelle, although router is Netgear
>>>
>>> What am I doing/missing ? please help
>> I don't know what you are "doing/missing" because I can't see your setup,
>> but usually the problem you're having is caused by misconfigured or missed
>> firewalls. Running the Network Setup Wizard automatically turns on the XP
>> SP2 Windows Firewall.
>>
>> If you aren't running a third-party firewall or have an antivirus
>> with "Internet Worm Protection" (like Norton 2005/06) which acts as a
>> firewall, then you're fine. If you have third-party firewall software,
>> configure it to allow the Local Area Network traffic as trusted. I usually
>> do this with my firewalls with an IP range. Ex. would be
>> 192.168.1.0-192.168.1.254. Obviously you would substitute your correct
>> subnet.
>>
>> If that doesn't work for you, here is an excellent network troubleshooter by
>> MVP Hans-Georg Michna. Take the time to go through it and it will usually
>> pinpoint the problem area(s) - http://winhlp.com/wxnet.htm
>>
>> Malke
>> --
>> Elephant Boy Computers
>> www.elephantboycomputers.com
>> "Don't Panic!"
>> MS-MVP Windows - Shell/User
>>
Yes, that's exactly what it means. You need to secure your wireless
network by enabling the highest level of encryption that is common to
all of your hardware (router and wifi adapters in each pc/laptop). For
home use, in order of increasing security: WEP; WPA-PSK (TKIP); WPA-PSK
(AES); WPA2. There are other steps you can take, such as restricting the
number of IP addresses available or filtering based on MAC addresses,
but high-level encryption with a secure passphrase/key is the best
start. See http://www.ezlan.net/Wireless_Security.html



--
Lem MS MVP -- Networking

To the moon and back with 64 Kbits of RAM and 512 Kbits of ROM.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apollo_Guidance_Computer

Lem