Networking together multiple computers
January 12, 2015 8:04 AM Subscribe
I have a situation where I need to join together approximately 6 Windows laptops at an event.
These laptops all need to have access to specific folders on each other's computer.
There is a (wired) internet connection which they should all share.
The Windows laptops are mainly Windows 7 although there may be one or two that are Windows 8.
I have a D-Link 8 port switch. If I buy a router (any recommendations) is that all I need?
So the setup would be:
Laptops run a network cable to the switch. The switch runs a network cable to the router. The internet goes into the router. After a restart of each computer, DHCP and sharing folders takes care of everything else? No configuration, no snags? Anything I should be aware of?
Bonus question 1: if a printer is connected to one laptop, how can any laptop print from it?
Bonus question 2: if I have a Mac, is the same stuff true re: networking? Just plug and connect?
These laptops all need to have access to specific folders on each other's computer.
There is a (wired) internet connection which they should all share.
The Windows laptops are mainly Windows 7 although there may be one or two that are Windows 8.
I have a D-Link 8 port switch. If I buy a router (any recommendations) is that all I need?
So the setup would be:
Laptops run a network cable to the switch. The switch runs a network cable to the router. The internet goes into the router. After a restart of each computer, DHCP and sharing folders takes care of everything else? No configuration, no snags? Anything I should be aware of?
Bonus question 1: if a printer is connected to one laptop, how can any laptop print from it?
Bonus question 2: if I have a Mac, is the same stuff true re: networking? Just plug and connect?
Windows ad-hock sharing can have some obscure errors, you might consider just setting up dropbox or google docs to share things if they are not too big.
If there is a printer hanging off a machine named "joe-kitchen", then you can right click on it's icon and share it, and on the other machines could go Start->Run "\\joe-kitchen" and they should discover this machine and see the printers available to use.
posted by nickggully at 8:54 AM on January 12, 2015
If there is a printer hanging off a machine named "joe-kitchen", then you can right click on it's icon and share it, and on the other machines could go Start->Run "\\joe-kitchen" and they should discover this machine and see the printers available to use.
posted by nickggully at 8:54 AM on January 12, 2015
The hardware setup looks good with the switch and router. If the router is currently handing out an IP via DHCP with the switch in front of the computer then it'll work for many computers (PC or MAC).
Haven't used the "homegroup" feature listed above. Typically I'll set all of the PCs in the same workgroup to ease troubleshooting:
*Start
*Right-click "Computer" -> "Properties"
*Advanced system settings
*"Computer Name" tab
*"Change" button
*"Workgroup" radio button
After a reboot every other computer should be visable in the "Network" tree of Windows Explorer. Folder and printer shares will be shown inside of their respective computer names.
posted by llin at 10:42 AM on January 12, 2015
Haven't used the "homegroup" feature listed above. Typically I'll set all of the PCs in the same workgroup to ease troubleshooting:
*Start
*Right-click "Computer" -> "Properties"
*Advanced system settings
*"Computer Name" tab
*"Change" button
*"Workgroup" radio button
After a reboot every other computer should be visable in the "Network" tree of Windows Explorer. Folder and printer shares will be shown inside of their respective computer names.
posted by llin at 10:42 AM on January 12, 2015
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posted by Kadin2048 at 8:05 AM on January 12, 2015