Windows Peer-to-Peer Networking

We've discussed two types of LANs: peer-to-peer LANs and dedicated server LANs.

This activity show how to set up a peer-to-peer LAN for your house or apartment. We first describe file sharing and then discuss printer sharing. Windows File Sharing Windows file sharing enables you to select folders on your computer that you can permit others users on your LAN to read and write. There are three steps to create a shared folder.

Step 1. Give your computer an Application Layer Name within a Workgroup

1. Go to Settings → Control Panel → System

2. Click on the Computer Name Tab

3. Click Change

4. Type in a New Computer Name and Workgroup Name.

All computers must have the same workgroup name to share files. Each computer within a workgroup must have a unique name.

Step 2. Enable File Sharing

1. Go to Settings → Control Panel → Windows Firewall

2. Click on the Exceptions tab

3. Make sure the box in front of File and Printer Sharing is checked

4. Go to Settings → Control Panel → Network Connections

If you do this on your home network, anyone with access to your network can access the files in your shared folder. It is much safer to turn off file sharing unless you intentionally want to use it (see Step 2 and make sure the boxes are not checked if you want to prevent file sharing). Windows Printer Sharing In the same way you can share folders with other computers in your workgroup you can share printers. To share a printer, do the following on the computer that has the printer connected to it:

Deliverables

1. Do a print screen of Windows Explorer to show the folders on another computer you can access.

2. Do a print screen to show you can print to the networked printer.