3. Sharing Resources

Sharing Resources Mohd. Abdul Hannan Chowdhury Mainenance Engineer, BCC

After completing we will learn: What is Domain and Workgroup; What is Computer Name in the network; How to change Name and Workgroup of a computer; How to Share a folder in your PC; How to browse a computer and a folder over a network; What is Universal Naming convention; How to share a printer over a network; How to install a shared printer driver and print through them; What is Internet Protocol (IP); Classification of IP; What is network address and host address of an IP Address; What is Subnet Mask;

What is Domain? Domain is a logical group of computer, administered as a unit with common rules and procedures. Each domain has a unique name called Domain Name. In a server based network the domain is controlled by the server and clients PCs get the services that are defined by the server. In domain server manages user access to a network, which includes – logging on, – authentication, and – access to the directory and shared resources.

What is work group? In a peer-to-peer network, workgroup is a simple grouping of computers, intended only to help users find such things as printers and shared folders within that group. Workgroups in Windows do not offer the centralized user accounts and authentication offered by domains. In the workgroup environment, every pc have its own control on sharing its resources. Each computer works as server when it provide sharing services to other computer and works as client when it use the sharing services provided by others.

What is Computer Name? A computer name identifies your computer on the network. To participate in the network, each computer must have a unique name. If two computers have the same name, it creates a conflict for network communications. When choosing a computer name, it is suggested you keep it short and simple, such as family or den. The computer name is limited to fifteen characters and cannot contain spaces or any of the following special characters: ; : " < > * + = \ | ? , The computer description is a short explanation of the computer and is not mandatory option

Changing Computer name and Workgroup name of a computer Open System in Control Panel. (or, right click on my computer then click on properties); On the Computer Name tab (you will see the current Full computer name and Workgroup name), click Change. Under Computer name, type a new name for the computer and write a workgroup name under Workgroup, and then click OK. Click OK or yes as new messages appears and let the computer be restarted if prompted.

Assigning IP Address Static addressing – Each individual device must be configured with a fixed IP address set.

Dynamic addressing

– Computers will acquire IP address automatically via the following servicesReverse Address Resolution Protocol (RARP) Bootstrap Protocol (BOOTP) Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP)

Static Assignment of an IP Address Static assignment works best on small, infrequently changing networks. The system administrator manually assigns and tracks IP addresses for each computer, printer, or server on the intranet. Servers should be assigned a static IP address so workstations and other devices will always know how to access needed services. Other devices that should be assigned static IP addresses are network printers, application servers, and routers.

DHCP IP Address Management Dynamic host configuration protocol (DHCP). DHCP allows a host to obtain an IP address dynamically without the network administrator having to set up an individual profile for each device. All that is required when using DHCP is a defined range of IP addresses on a DHCP server. As hosts come online, they contact the DHCP server and request an address. The DHCP server chooses an address and leases it to that host. The importance to this DHCP advancement is its ability to lease an IP address to a device and then reclaim that IP address for another user after the first user releases it. This means that DHCP offers a one to many ratio of IP addresses and that an address is available to anyone who connects to the network.

How to assign IP address? The following steps will guide you to assign static IP address to a computer: – Open the Network Connections in the control panel (or, right click on My Network Places in the desktop then click on Properties) – Select the Local Area Connection then click Change settings of this connection (or, right click on Local Area Connection then click Properties).

How to assign IP address? Select the Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) in the General Tab menu then click Properties. NB: If you want to view the network icon in the task bar all time, check on the two check boxes at the bottom of this window.

How to assign IP address? To let the computer obtain IP address dynamically, select Obtain an IP address automatically (you must have a DHCP server in the network). If you do not have any DHCP server, select Use the following address and assign IP address and Subnet mask. If your network have access to the internet then assign the Default gateway address. And, To browse internet by domain names (web site name), the DNS server address is essential. Click OK after completing.

Browsing Browsing means accessing into a specific location through a browser/explorer. The Internet Explorer and Windows Explorer are two common types of browser for browsing internet and LAN/Local PC respectively. The addressing formats at are– To browse a Computer in the internet: Protocol://Domain name/file or folder_name/file . . . Ex. http://www.bbc.co.uk/benbali

– To browse a computer in your LAN: \\Computer_Name\file_or_Folder_name\Filename Ex1. \\PC01 (access into a computer in the LAN) Ex2. \\PC01\Shared (access into a folder of a computer in LAN)

– For a file or folder in your own computerDrive:\Folder_or_file\file Ex. C:\Windows

Sharing Folders Right click on the folder and click on Sharing and Security. Select Share this folder on the network and click OK.

Sharing Folders (Full Share) If you want to allow network users to change the files in the folder then check on the Allow network users to change my files option. This will allow network users to put files or folders in the shared folder. Before doing this you should know that there is no virus in any PC in the network. Otherwise your computer will be vulnerable to viruses easily. This type of full sharing will be more dangerous if you do not have backup copy of the shared files. Because any network user can delete the file and you will not be able to get back the file or to trace that person.

Sharing Printers If you have only one printer in your office you can share the printer to let the other users print files directly from the network. The following two tasks must be done to do this – Share the printer in the owner PC where the printer is physically attached. – Install the shared printer from networked PC other than owner pc.

Sharing Printers (Host Comp.) Open the Printers an Faxes folder in the control panel (Click Start > Printers and Faxes). Right click on the printer that is to be shared and click Sharing. Select Share this printer and click OK.

Sharing Printers (Install the shared printer in the networked comp.) To install the shared printer – open the Printers and Faxes in the control panel – Click Add a printer then click Next – Select A network printer or a printer attached to another computer and click Next. – Select Browse for a printer and click Next. – Double click the Workgroup name and then computer name to expand its contents that have shared its printer. – Select the appropriate printer and click Next. – Click Finish.

Now you will have a new printer installed in the Printer and faxes list. Use Print command form any application program to print any file.

Thank you!!