GUYS: Damsel in distress! Setting up a PC shared network in small office? HELP!?

Question

I work in a very small office (5 PCs) and my boss is very old-fashioned. He won't accept that there are many advantages of having a computer network and of sharing files between computers...... I don't know much about computers but it can't be that hard to set up??

Can anyone run me through what I would need to do??

OR tell me to shut up and keep filing my nails....

Thanks!!

Answer 1

Sorry, that damsel sh it doesn't work since you got equality. Make the coffee.

Answer 2

With wi fi its as easy as pie.

Google 'network addressed storage' - basically if all the pc's have a wi fi card and you buy a NAS unit (basically one or two hard drives that are accessed via an ethernet cable or via wi fi) ALL the pc's can access the NAS unit.

This is a very basic answer and I'm sure there are better solutions but this will work and is easy peasy to set up

Answer 3

assuming that all the comps have network cards

assuming youve bought a switch with 5+ ports

assuming youve plugged each comp into the switch

right click net neighbourhood on each machine select properties

right click the network card, select properties..

click the tcpip connection select properties

(note basic setup, no router..) call the machines

192.168.0.1 - 192.168.0.2 - 192.168.0.5

subnet 255.255.255.0

if you have a router - comes free when you get internet - such as netgear dg834 g ---- this is your router, its ip is on its back might be 192.168.1.1

machines are now

192.168.1.2  to  1.5

same subnet

gateway is 192.168.1.1

dns is 192.168.1.1

2nd way is easiest, and then all comps get internet.....

install zone alarm free, on each machine, then creat a rule allowing the other machines through the software firewall

rule - net - allow all traffic from 192.168.1.2 into the machine.... then another and another....

right click c drive select sharing, yes you wnat to use simple file shareing use default share name, and accept..  

Answer 4

there are many advantages and ways of setting up a network. if you would like advice, we would need to know what type of systems you are running and the hardware you are using.

please email me if you would like to find out more and how to set it up.

Answer 5

If you have such a small office, you can have a peer to peer network.

This is where a domain controller, the big boss of a domain network is not needed. All the computers in the peer to peer network is also equal in privileges.

In a peer to peer network, all computers in it can have only have a basic Windows system, ie, a home system or a professional. All the PCs share files equally.

However, in a domain controller network, the domain controller PC acts as the big boss and controls the other PCs. You also need a special Windows system to run in it, ie, Windows Server 2008.

It is too complex for 5 PCs. It needs at least 20 PCs.

You don't need to shut up but keep searching the net to see how to set up a network. It is not that difficult really.

Answer 6

Hi,

Have a look into this website, seems like it gives some very useful information that can help you.

http://www.geekgirls.com/windowsxp_home_...

Also never resort to shutting up and filing your nails, trying to make a difference itself gets you 90% towards success.

Best of Luck !!!