Ok, i'm having trouble getting my home network to work. It's a fairly standard network with two computers
plugged into one centralized hub. The trouble is when i set up the workgroup the computers can't see eachother. They also cannot ping eachother . Both computers are running a fresh install of XP Pro with the Windows firewall off but using ZoneAlarm. IP adresses have been dynamically assigned by my ISP. All computers have TCP/IP and all neccessary protocols installed.

Any help is appreciated.

Thanx.

Have you tried it without ZoneAlarm? Alternately, I think ZA has an option for "Allow incoming ping (ICMP Echo)". I'd concentrate on getting them to ping each other first, before trying to get them to see each other in Network Neighborhood. Also, try pinging them by IP first (not computer name).

Forgive me if that's basic stuff you've already tried, but just gotta make sure all bases are covered.

Quote: Originally Posted by FunkyFresh Have you tried it without ZoneAlarm? Alternately, I think ZA has an option for "Allow incoming ping (ICMP Echo)". I'd concentrate on getting them to ping each other first, before trying to get them to see each other in Network Neighborhood. Also, try pinging them by IP first (not computer name). Forgive me if that's basic stuff you've already tried, but just gotta make sure all bases are covered.

Where is this option? i can't seem to find it. but I will try it with ZA off in the meantime.

if what you said is true then I would be the first to say do not turn off your firewall.

If you are using a hub(no firewall just connects 2 computers or more) and your Ip is assigning IPs to both computers then anyone else connected to that IP would also be able to see your computers. Very dangerous.

go spend the 20 bucks and get a router. yeah it may suck to have to spend money but if you are not going to set up a network right by yourself go with a router so you have atleast some security.

I myself run linux box as the router with a a firewall and it shares the network connection. very easy to set up but with a decent router you can do the same.


Now if you meant that your using a router and the IP is assigning it the IP address and it is assigning your other computers their addresses, then you might want to say that cause it is another situation entirely.

I agree with PokenHopen, you don't want to expose everything to the rest of the world by turning off Zonealarm. I agree on starting with a router and NAT the rest of the machines through there. Once you've done that, you can use the trusted zone portion of Zonealarm to let your machines access each other. If you are using a hub, but receive static ips from your ISP, unlikely, yet possible, you can add the individual ips to the trusted zone of zonealarm. Once you've built the trusted zone, you can then allow programs to work as a server in the trusted zone and you should be in business.