Subj : Dead EchoArea? To : Ben Carpenter From : Gerald Miller Date : Sun Apr 13 2003 05:08 pm Hello Ben, [ ... snip ... ] GM>> I can see that I may have befuddled the scenario by mentioning GM>> the D-Link VKM switch. I think that Frank may also have been GM>> confused by my statement of this switch... ??? The VKM switch GM>> permits me to only use one keyboard, one video monitor and one GM>> mouse between four computers. I found this to be the easiest way GM>> to control the desktop real estate by eliminating redundant GM>> equipment. While the use of this switch may have some drawbacks, GM>> I find it to be very convenient as I was constantly issuing GM>> commands on the wrong keyboard. BC> This sounds like a real workable way to run more than one computer BC> and I have even given it some thought my self. If you do decide to purchase a VKM switch, you have two options (that I'm aware of) - a four port (which I currently have) or an eight port (I should have sprung the little extra cash for this puppy). And, of course, you'll have to get the proper cabling as well.... GM>> I hope to provide some clarification... All NIC are connected to GM>> the Router (LAN side) with the cable modem connected to the WAN GM>> side of the same router. I presume that I have some network GM>> capabilities on the W2K Pro machine because I can connect to the GM>> Internet, I can send and receive email, I can make FTP GM>> connections (is that the correct terminology to exchange files GM>> between two computers via the Internet?), and I can (almost) use GM>> VOIP [Voice Over IP address]... BC> OK You are started to making progress with the W2K machine. With it BC> connected to the router and making net connections for E-Mail etc BC> listed above you have it setup correctly for network functions also, BC> but may need some tweaking to have all network functions working. Yes, I suspect that the tweaking will have to be done in the router configuration to open some ports and restrict the direction of others, but that will happen over a period of time.... [ ... snip ... ] GM>> Wiring diagram of how all the hardware is connected to each GM>> other? What a can of worms that is going to be!!! I've tried to GM>> keep it as compatible and as simplistic as possible. If you are GM>> of the opinion BC> I do not need wiring diagrams. Your above statement about the NIC BC> connected to the router and router connected to cable modem was the BC> info I was looking for. I'm thankful for that reassurance. You just saved this ole man from having a coronary. ;-) BC> ... ..........Some Deleted.......... GM>> Ahhhhhh. I was wanting to accomplish the networking without GM>> installing a version of the 'hard disk hungry' Windows. I'm GM>> rather limited to hard disk space on the DOS box... BC> I went to a friend that has had more experience at networking than I BC> do and he told me that what you need to do for the DOS machine is to BC> go on the net to the NIC card manufacture and get drivers for DOS to BC> use to setup networking in DOS. I've taken care of that. Each of the six NICs came with an installation diskette with the required drivers. Since all the cards are identical, I only needed one diskette for all the installations. OS/2 and Win2K find the proper directories/folders automatically, but the DOS install required the drive/path to find the correct drivers... [ ... snip ... ] GM>> Well, there is some kind of Windows 3.11 system on the DOS box, GM>> but I've not looked at it for quite some time. Would this be a GM>> 'key' to communicating with the W2K box? BC> There were two different WIN 3.11 setups one will work and the other BC> will not. Windows for Workgroups (WFWG) 3.11 can be setup for BC> networking the other one can not. I took a closer look at the Win 3.11 system on the DOS box. It is the WFWG type, but it's been neglected for so long that it would require some very extensive overhauling to get it totally functional again. [ ... snip ... ] BC> OK for starters on the DOS machine get drivers for the NIC and any BC> installation and setup instructions you can get for the drivers. I'm there... BC> Then review the settings in the Network area of control panel on the BC> WIN machine to obtain info on the setup there so as to make compatible BC> setting on the DOS machine. Most of the setting can and should be BC> the same on both machines except the IP address and the name of BC> the computer. This should bring you up to speed to share files and/or BC> printers, but remember one of the setting is to share files and BC> printers and if you do not have this turned on you can not share BC> them. I can see the fog rolling in... It may take me some time to understand what you're telling me here. Could you find another way to explain? BC> Your above statement indicates to me you are controlling 4 computers BC> from one keyboard, mouse and monitor. Do I understand that you only BC> want to have two of them on the internet and share files? I have two other computers that are not hooked up to the router yet. One machine will be an OS/2 version 4.0 box (eventually) and the other _may_ be some flavor of *NIX. Ideally, they will all access the internet, share files and printer. I'm trying to do it all in small steps - one box at a time. Cheers ... Gerald --- GoldED+/386 v1.1.5-30228 * Origin: The easy way is always mined. (1:342/512) .