A friend who runs a game server, has 3 PC's linked together on a Hub, and they have 3 different IP addresses, but all have the same subnet mask numbers.

He used to be able to share files and a printer, but a new Microsoft patch screwed things up, he can still get on the net with each PC though.

He has 2 Norton firewalls and Zone Alarm, but it doesn't help to turn them off, and they are configured properly he says.

He is curious if the Sub Net Masks being the same is the problem, he ran the Network Wizard a few times..No help whatsoever

I thought you guys might know how to help him, I have a limited knowledge of Networks, I told him to try bridging the network connections..that didnt work either.

Thanks in advance from my friend at Yuri's RTCW Custom Map server

The subnet masks need to be the same for the systems to be visible over a network connection. He may want to check once again the configurations on the firewalls and Zone Alarm. Also are if you are trying to you Network Neighborhood to view the systems then make sure the workgroups on the systems are the same and the IP's and Computer names are different. Then give them a reboot and wait a couple of mins for them to be visible to the other systems.

Why does he waist the money every month to buy multiple IP's instead of getting a router, saves money in the long run and would fix all these problems. Also if the subnet mask were different they wouldnt see each other anyway. Make sure they are in the same workgroup also.

Thx guys..he says his firewall was the Issue.

He also says Comcast has a filter built in to make it difficult to use a router.
He tried a friends once, but it cut the bandwidth 3 ways. Not good for a game server...

He is only paying 9$ a month for the extra addresses, he says if his current Hub gives up he would get a Hub Switch, wich run from 100-140$ he says.
"A switching hub allows you to get 200mbs...... by running your net cards at FULL duplex instead of half, I'd get a tad more bandwidth for the server" to quote Yuri

So thanks for the info, he was curious about the Sub Net Mask, and it gave him all the information he needed, even though it wasn't the problem.

I told em you guys realy know your networking here

NP necro I am about 3/4 through a 2 year cisco networking certified administrator certification through my HS.

your welcome Necro. I have a whole bunch of networking exp under my belt (tons of classes and a Computer lab administrator).