How to Configure peer to peer workgroup network Step by Step Guide

Here are numerous types of network available. We will go trough most of them as per certificate program require. We will start from N+. Although N+ exam don't held in practical mode as RHCE. Still it requires minimum nine months hand on experience. So if you are planning to take N+ exam be careful about practical. Here we will take a scenario.

Your boss told you that he want set up a new office where security is not a major concern what all you are supposed to do is to meet this requirement in less budget.

How will you set up this workgroup network?

• Determine your requirements
• Choose between wired and wireless media
• Map your physical network
• Map your logical network
• Create a utilization plan

We assume that you have gone through these steps and come with a plan to use 4 computers with star topology for this network.

Computers	4 With any descriptive Name
Operating system	windows XP professional and vista
Topology	Star
Printer	One
Modem	One
Workgroup Name	Mouse

Now follow these steps :-

Install XP and Vista on all four computers.

Change the Name of Your Computer and workgroup When you first install windows assign itself a computer name something that looks like RAT12E2341, now would be a good time to give your computer a descriptive name:

Right-click on My Computer and select Properties, or open the System applet in the Control Panel.

Select the Computer Name tab ==> click Change to open the Computer Name Changes dialog box.

Enter a new computer name in the Computer Name field and new workgroup name in Workgroup field and click OK.

You will be prompted to restart your computer to complete the name change. Click yes to restart your computer.

To avoid future problem follow these simple rules in choosing name

1. Computer name should be unique in a workgroup.
2. Workgroup name should be same for all computer.
3. Workgroup names may be up to 15 characters long and may contain any alphanumeric (a-z and 0-9) characters, as well as special characters except for ; : " < > * + = \ | ?.
4. Computer names can be up to 15 characters long and have the same naming restrictions as workgroups. In addition, the computer name cannot be the same as the workgroup name.

Next step is checking of LAN card that will be done first in Device manager and further in My network place ==> properties

LAN card in device manager

Right Click On My Computer ==> properties ==> Hardware ==> Device manager ==> Network Adapter ==> Check here (also check under the other devices tag)

Situation:- Showing Description:- Installed and working properly

Situation:-Showing with Yellow sign

Description:- LAN card driver is corrupted
Solution:- Install lan card driver.

Situation:- Showing with Red Cross
Description:- Either cable is unplugged or LAN card is disabled
Solution:- My network places ==> properties ==> local area connection ==> right click ==> Enable (Follow only if Lan card is disable )
Check whether network cable is plugged or not

Situation:- Not Showing

Description:- LAN card is not detected yet (Check for physical installation)
Solution:- Open the cabinet and check for physical detection
Check Bios ==> On bord Lan Option should be enable

Checking LAN card in Network place

How to show my network place on Desktop?
Right click on the free space of desktop ==>Customize desktop ==>check mark on My network places ==> Apply ==> Ok

My network place ==> properties ==>local area connection
Situation:- Showing 

Description:- Installed and working properly

Situation:-Showing with Red Cross

Description:-cable is unplugged
Solution:-Check whether network cable is plugged or not

Situation:-Showing with Yellow sign
Description:-LAN is working on Automatic private IP.
Solution:- assign manually IP address

Situation:-Showing with disable

Description:-LAN is disabled
Solution:-My network places ==> Local area connection ==> Right click ==> Enable (Follow only if Lan card is disable )

Situation:-Showing with firewall

Description:-LAN is firewall protected
Solution:-There is no need to on firewall unless you are connecting with internet.
To turn off firewall
My network place ==> properties ==>local area connection ==> properties ==>Aadvanced ==>Settings

Genral==> Off

Next step is to check for these 4 necessary things

• LAN cards drives
• Client for Microsoft network
• File and printer sharing services
• Internet protocols (TCP/IP)

If you don't found any of these here and then install that by using install button before going further Once you have completed these steps then go to our next article