Hardware Reference
In-Depth Information
NetBEUI. If you want to use Internet Connection Sharing along with networking, install both
TCP/IP and NetBEUI. With Windows XP, use the Network Setup Wizard to configure
TCP/IP easily.
•
Service
—Install File and Printer Sharing for Microsoft Networks on any computer that will
be used as a server.
4.
Click the Identification tab. Enter a unique name for each computer on the network; use the
same workgroup name for all computers on the network.
5.
Click OK. Supply the Windows install disc or other media as necessary to install the network
components you requested.
You might need to reboot your PC to complete the process. After this is completed, you'll be ready to
share resources.
Networking with Windows Vista/7/8
Windows Vista and newer include TCP/IP as their default protocol, enabling it to connect to other
computers running Windows or other OSs. However, their network management and configuration
processes are much different from those that earlier Windows versions used.
Network management is performed through the new Network and Sharing Center. The Network and
Sharing Center displays the status of the network, the signal strength for wireless networks, the status
of network discovery and the sharing of files, the Public folder (equivalent to the Shared Files folder
in XP), printer sharing, and media sharing. The Network and Sharing Center can change these settings
as desired and controls whether password-protected sharing is enabled or disabled. When this
feature is disabled, Vista/7/8 acts like Windows XP with simple file sharing enabled. When this
feature is enabled, you must set up users and assign them rights just you would with Windows XP
Professional with simple file sharing disabled.
The Network and Sharing Center can also provide a map of your network, showing the relationship of
devices such as routers and switches and Windows Vista/7/8-based computers on the network. To
add Windows XP-based systems to the network map, you can install the Link Layer Topology
Discoverer (LLTD) responder. To get this feature and learn how it works, look up the Knowledge
Base article 922120, “Network Map Does Not Display Computers That Are Running Windows XP,”
To add a protocol or component to a particular network connection, open Networks, select Network
and Sharing Center, and select Manage Network Connections from the task list. Then, right-click the
network adapter and select Properties.
Other differences include enhancements in the use and management of wireless networks,
improvements to the Windows Firewall, and improvements in the network repair and diagnostics
procedure. Windows Vista/7/8 also adds support for network projectors and online meetings, using
its new People Near Me and Windows Meeting Space utilities.
In Windows 8, you can also perform some network tasks, such as connecting to a wireless network,
from the Start screen.
