Home Network Manager

Home Network between Windows® 7 and Windows® XP

What are the issues that can occur while setting up home network between Windows 7 and Windows XP?

Windows 7 and Windows XP are reliable and stable Operating systems which support networking. If you have more than one computer at home, you can inter-connect them and form a computer network. You can transfer data from one computer to other without a pen drive, CD/DVD; you can share your printer and Internet connection etc. To set up a home network, you need to install Network card on every computer in the network. If you have more than 2 computers, you need a HUB/SWITCH to inter-connect the computers. A UTP cable with RJ 45 connectors on each end is needed to connect the computers to the HUB/SWITCH. One end of the UTP cable is connected to the Network controller and other end is connected to the HUB/SWITCH. There is no need of a Switch/HUB, if you just have 2 computers, you can connect the UTP cable to the Network port of each network card. Then you have to configure home network both on Windows 7 and windows XP. To configure home network, you need to go to 'Control panel', select 'Network connection' and then right click on 'Local area connection', then select 'Properties', assign an IP address for each computer. Final step is to run the Network setup wizard, you need to click on 'Network places' and select 'Setup a home or office network' and then follow the on screen instructions.

Following are the common issues that can occur in a home network between Windows 7 and Windows XP:

• Connectivity issues IP conflict Security and sharing issues

Connectivity issues

HUB/SWITCH is the center point of communication, if computers are connected using them. If the HUB/SWITCH fails no computer could communicate with each other. So, if a connectivity issue occurs, you need to first check if the HUB/SWITCH is powered on and if the network cables are connected properly. A network cable or a network card may cause a connectivity issues.

IP conflict

There are two ways to provide IP address to computers in the network; the first one is through DHCP and other one is to provide IP address manually. A unique IP address of same network class is provided to each computer in the Network. The IP conflict occurs, when two computers in the network obtain IP address. To fix this error, check which two computers obtain same IP and change the IP address for one of them. "IPCONFIG" is the command used to find the IP address of each computer.

Security and sharing issues

Windows 7 and Windows XP provide high security. Drives, files or folders on your computer can be shared. All the shared files, folders and drives can be viewed in ‘Network place’ of each computer. If an unauthorized user tries to access the shared items, access will be denied. To fix this issue check the permission level provided to the network user on both Windows 7 and Windows XP. Modify the security settings if needed.