Local Network Setup & File Sharing for Windows PCs

Posted on Jul 1, 2025 in Contemporary Music Composition

Testing Network Connectivity with Ping

Once your computers are configured and connected via cable, you will test whether both computers can communicate with each other. Open a command console by going to Start, Run, then typing CMD. (For Windows 98 or Me, use COMMAND instead of CMD.)

Then, once the console is open on either computer, type ping followed by the other computer’s IP address. For example, if you are on the computer whose IP is 192.168.0.1, you would type ping 192.168.0.2.

If this command shows packets sent and received, it indicates a successful connection between the two computers. Conversely, if the message “Request Timed Out” appears, it means the computers cannot communicate with each other.

Understanding Workgroups

From a theoretical perspective, Windows uses the NetBIOS protocol to share files between networked computers. This protocol is automatically installed by the operating system when network applications are set up.

The first thing you should do is establish a Workgroup. Simply explained, a Workgroup is a common name for computers that belong to the same network. For example, in a home, you might name this group “HOME”, and all computers must be configured with this setting.

Configuring Your Workgroup in Windows XP

To configure the Workgroup in Windows XP, there are two methods:

  • Through the network connection wizard.
  • A simpler method: Right-click the My Computer icon on the desktop and select Properties.

In the window that opens, select the Computer Name tab. From here, click Change and set the desired name for the Workgroup. Examples include “HomeNet”, “Office”, or any name you prefer. Both PCs must have the same Workgroup name.

Sharing Files Between Networked Computers

Once the Workgroup is configured, when you go to My Network Places or Network Neighborhood, you will start seeing other computers identified by their names. (These names can be changed from the same location where you configured the Workgroup name.) Double-clicking a computer’s name will display all its shared folders.

Suppose you wish to share a folder containing music so other PCs on the network can access it. Simply follow these steps:

  1. Right-click on the folder you want to share.
  2. Click Sharing and Security.
  3. In the new window, simply click Share this folder on the network. This allows anyone to access the computer and read its contents.
  4. If you want the shared folder to allow users to modify its content (e.g., add a new file), you must tick the option Allow network users to change my files.

Sharing Your Internet Connection

Having configured file sharing, if you want to share your internet connection, follow these steps:

  1. On the PC that will provide Internet (with an active connection), go to Start > Run. Type cmd and press Enter. In the command prompt, type ipconfig /all and press Enter. Note down the two DNS server addresses displayed for your active connection.
  2. On the client PC, go to Start > Control Panel > Network Connections. Right-click on your network connection (e.g., “Local Area Connection 1”) and select Properties. Select Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) and click Properties. Inside, select Use the following DNS server addresses and enter the two addresses from step 1. Click OK.
  3. Now, on the server PC, right-click on your Internet connection and select Properties. Go to the Advanced tab and select the option Allow other network users to connect through this computer’s Internet connection. Also, select Establish a dial-up connection whenever a computer on my network attempts to access the Internet. Click OK to apply all changes.

Important Note:

It is always advisable to restart both PCs for the changes to take effect.