Help needed with simple wired network

[Fleabus]

Hi:

I’d like to network 3 computers.
I’ve been to a few sites (including Practically Networked) but they seem to only want to explain
wireless or crossovers or make me wade through reams of instructions that do not relate to
my simple setup.

I don’t want to learn all there is to know about networking.
I just want to know the proper steps to get my particular systems networked.

I am the only one with access to all three boxes so there is no special internal security need for
passwords or the blocking of access to any files on any of the 3 systems.
That being said, I won’t be running LAN parties on them, I just want to be able to move files around
among the systems for storage or download distribution.
Having access to my main computer’s printer would be nice too.

All 3 computers use NTFS.
All 3 are currently connected to the same router and all access my ISP via an ADSL external modem.

Router: Linksys EtherFast Cable/DSL wired router with 4-Port Switch Part# BEFSR41
Router Settings: Connection Type: PPPoE w/password
Optional: Domain Name and MTU enabled/1492
Local DHCP Server: enabled

Modem: Alcatel Speed Touch Home external ADSL

Router Port #1: WinXP HE SP2 system
Asus P4T533-C i850e/s478 (on board LAN)
CONTROLLER CARD #1: Promise Ultra133 TX2 PCI
HDDs: 2 x 80GB Maxtor D740x 7200RPM ATA-133
EXTERNAL HDD: 250GB Maxtor 1-Touch External Ultra ATA-133 7200 RPM USB2
CONTROLLER CARD #2: OrangeLink FireWire 800/1394b (1394a + b) PCI card
EXTERNAL HDD: 250GB Maxtor One Touch External Ultra ATA-133 7200 RPM HDD [1394a]

Router Port #2: MCE2005 system (a version of XP Pro SP2 I think)
Asus A8N32-SLI Deluxe nForce4 SLI X16 (on board LAN)
HDDs: 2 x 500GB Seagate Barracuda 7200.9 SATA 3Gb/s 7200RPM

Router Port #3: WinXP Pro SP2 Main System
Asus A8N32-SLI Deluxe nForce4 SLI X16 (on board LAN)
HDDs: 2 x 500GB Seagate Barracuda 7200.9 SATA 3Gb/s 7200RPM
Epson Stylus Photo R300 USB2 printer connected

What are the steps that I would need to follow to get this done?

TIA,

[zekrahminator]

Step one- Connect all PC's to router, and then the router to the modem. PC's go to router by the ports labeled "1-4" on the back of the router. WAN port goes to router. Power up all network equipment, and then systems.
Step two- Power on the computer connected to port one. Go into router settings at 192.168.0.1 and configure internet, dyndns, firewall, etc.
Step three- Go to "network set up wizard" in windows. (Network places- network set up wizard). The rest is self explanatory.
Step four- right click on each drive and printer you want to share, and then configure sharing preferences. Should be easy enough.
Step five- right click my computer, and the select "map network drive". Using the network address for each piece of hardware you shared, assign network drive letters.

Congratulations, you have a fully operational network. Happy Gaming!

[FLY3R]

Originally Posted by zekrahminator

Step one- Connect all PC's to router, and then the router to the modem. PC's go to router by the ports labeled "1-4" on the back of the router. WAN port goes to router. Power up all network equipment, and then systems.
Step two- Power on the computer connected to port one. Go into router settings at 192.168.0.1 and configure internet, dyndns, firewall, etc.
Step three- Go to "network set up wizard" in windows. (Network places- network set up wizard). The rest is self explanatory.
Step four- right click on each drive and printer you want to share, and then configure sharing preferences. Should be easy enough.
Step five- right click my computer, and the select "map network drive". Using the network address for each piece of hardware you shared, assign network drive letters.

Congratulations, you have a fully operational network. Happy Gaming!

Perfecto!!!!

[Fleabus]

Hi:

Thanks guys. I have the networking done. The boxes see and share files, folders drives ok.
The only thing that didn't work was printer sharing.
I have one of those Epson (R300) USB2 printers. Fairly advanced in that it takes different types of memory cards and also ink-jet prints on discs.
It doesn't appear to be capable of running as a network printer.
No biggie.

Thanks again,

[Fleabus]

Hi:

Got the printer networked.

Thanks again, everything working.