nick_harambee
asked on
is it possible to specify which network connection is used for transfering data between computers on a network?
hi
i have two laptops on a home network. both are connected wirelessly to a router for an internet connection, but are also physically wired together using an ethernet crossover cable. i wonder if there is a way of setting the ethernet connection as the default network connection for transferring data between the laptops (as data transfer would be much quicker via ethernet). at the moment xp is sometimes using the wired and sometimes the wireless connection. obviously if i turn off the wireless connection it will be forced to use the ethernet connection, but i wonder if there is a way to configure xp so that i wouldn't have to turn off the wireless connection.
thanks
nick.
i have two laptops on a home network. both are connected wirelessly to a router for an internet connection, but are also physically wired together using an ethernet crossover cable. i wonder if there is a way of setting the ethernet connection as the default network connection for transferring data between the laptops (as data transfer would be much quicker via ethernet). at the moment xp is sometimes using the wired and sometimes the wireless connection. obviously if i turn off the wireless connection it will be forced to use the ethernet connection, but i wonder if there is a way to configure xp so that i wouldn't have to turn off the wireless connection.
thanks
nick.
If you configure the ethernet NICs on your machines to use a different ip subnet, then by placing these new ips and your computer names in to the hosts file, xp will always use the ethernet NIC.
Example.
Machine MyComputer_A:
wireless ip address: 10.0.0.1
ethernet ip address: 192.168.0.1
host file contains:
192.168.0.2 MyComputer_B
Machine MyComputer_B:
wireless ip address: 10.0.0.2
ethernet ip address: 192.168.0.2
host file contains:
192.168.0.1 MyComputer_A
With this config, whenever you contact the other host by name, xp will resolve the name to a 192.168 address and use the ethernet nic.
Example.
Machine MyComputer_A:
wireless ip address: 10.0.0.1
ethernet ip address: 192.168.0.1
host file contains:
192.168.0.2 MyComputer_B
Machine MyComputer_B:
wireless ip address: 10.0.0.2
ethernet ip address: 192.168.0.2
host file contains:
192.168.0.1 MyComputer_A
With this config, whenever you contact the other host by name, xp will resolve the name to a 192.168 address and use the ethernet nic.
timhl,
i didn't realise that you could assign the same subnet to two different nic's in xp! Thats crazy (I have just tried!)....
regards
j3ggs
i didn't realise that you could assign the same subnet to two different nic's in xp! Thats crazy (I have just tried!)....
regards
j3ggs
You're right that nick already probably has a config similar to what I provided, but are his \windows\system32\drivers\
The trouble here is each machine is learning the other's address through network broadcasts which are sent out both the wireless and ethernet interfaces. Which ever broadcast the other machine receives first will designate which network it will use. Specifying the IPs in the host file will tie them down to a single address.
The trouble here is each machine is learning the other's address through network broadcasts which are sent out both the wireless and ethernet interfaces. Which ever broadcast the other machine receives first will designate which network it will use. Specifying the IPs in the host file will tie them down to a single address.
You could even add two host file entries, 1 for wired, and 1 for wireless.
i.e.
Hostfile:
192.168.0.1 Computer_A_Wired
10.0.0.1 Computer_A_Wireless
but that might be taking it too far!
i.e.
Hostfile:
192.168.0.1 Computer_A_Wired
10.0.0.1 Computer_A_Wireless
but that might be taking it too far!
So the diagram you have seems to be
192.168.0.1------------wir
ComputerA ComputerB
10.0.0.1 10.0.0.2
\ /
\ /
\ /
--------------------------
wireless router
--------------------------
|
|
Internet
If you do the file transfer using IP addresses, it should go with the set you use.
For example, if you use "ftp 192.168.0.2" then that's what it should use.
If you are using shared disks, you can set them up using the IP addresses also, instead of the computer names, hopefully that would let XP use the desired path.
CB
192.168.0.1------------wir
ComputerA ComputerB
10.0.0.1 10.0.0.2
\ /
\ /
\ /
--------------------------
wireless router
--------------------------
|
|
Internet
If you do the file transfer using IP addresses, it should go with the set you use.
For example, if you use "ftp 192.168.0.2" then that's what it should use.
If you are using shared disks, you can set them up using the IP addresses also, instead of the computer names, hopefully that would let XP use the desired path.
CB
ASKER
thanks for your comments
usually xp does go the higher bandwidth of ethernet connection by default, but not always.
so at the moment the ip address of laptop 1 is 192.168.1.100 and laptop 2 is 192.168.1.105. these are used for the wireless connection, and i would like to keep these the same if possible.
timhl, i am not sure what you mean by 'if you configure the ethernet NICs on your machines to use a different ip subnet' but from your first post it looks like what i need to do is specify a new ip address for each laptop for the ethernet connection. when i check the 'status' of my local area connection, which i think is the ethernet connection, it says that the ip address is unavailable, so how do i change this?
thanks
nick
usually xp does go the higher bandwidth of ethernet connection by default, but not always.
so at the moment the ip address of laptop 1 is 192.168.1.100 and laptop 2 is 192.168.1.105. these are used for the wireless connection, and i would like to keep these the same if possible.
timhl, i am not sure what you mean by 'if you configure the ethernet NICs on your machines to use a different ip subnet' but from your first post it looks like what i need to do is specify a new ip address for each laptop for the ethernet connection. when i check the 'status' of my local area connection, which i think is the ethernet connection, it says that the ip address is unavailable, so how do i change this?
thanks
nick
It would be helpful to know the ip addresses of your Wireless NICs.
To change the ip addresses of your ethernet nics, click the Properties button on the status page, scroll to Internet Protocol (TCP/IP), then click the Properties button.
Disregard my comment about using a different ip subnet.
To change the ip addresses of your ethernet nics, click the Properties button on the status page, scroll to Internet Protocol (TCP/IP), then click the Properties button.
Disregard my comment about using a different ip subnet.
nick,
the local area connection is probably your ethernet connection.....
to change the ethernet address, right click on your local area connection, and choose properties. Then under the "this connection uses the following items" box, scroll down until you see Internet Protocol (TCP/IP), double click it and you will see the IP settings box..... I would use timhl's idea's for the other subnet (i.e. a 10 address with a mask of 255.255.255.0), or alternativly, you could use 192.168.2.x with a mask of 255.255.255.0.
regards
j3ggs
the local area connection is probably your ethernet connection.....
to change the ethernet address, right click on your local area connection, and choose properties. Then under the "this connection uses the following items" box, scroll down until you see Internet Protocol (TCP/IP), double click it and you will see the IP settings box..... I would use timhl's idea's for the other subnet (i.e. a 10 address with a mask of 255.255.255.0), or alternativly, you could use 192.168.2.x with a mask of 255.255.255.0.
regards
j3ggs
Have you posted the actual configs for the laptops?
All I have seen are the examples written in by tim.
j3ggs, your comments seem to indicate that you have seen the actual configuration - do you see it posted?
I do not.
Nick, I am not suggesting that you change the addresses on the ethernet connections unless:
If both the wireless and the ethernet are in the range 192.168.1.1 - 192.168.1.254, then it would be a good idea to change one or the other. In that case changing the ethernet connection is easier because you are probably getting the wireless addresses by DHCP from the wireless router.
But again, I do not see the configs posted.
CB
All I have seen are the examples written in by tim.
j3ggs, your comments seem to indicate that you have seen the actual configuration - do you see it posted?
I do not.
Nick, I am not suggesting that you change the addresses on the ethernet connections unless:
If both the wireless and the ethernet are in the range 192.168.1.1 - 192.168.1.254, then it would be a good idea to change one or the other. In that case changing the ethernet connection is easier because you are probably getting the wireless addresses by DHCP from the wireless router.
But again, I do not see the configs posted.
CB
ASKER
ok, i have done this. the reason why i couldn't see the "this connection uses the following items" box, was because my local area connection was on the network bridge - once i took it off i could see this an enter a new ip address (10.0.0.1). so now i need to know what the host files are, where i place the computer names and new ip addresses
thanks
nick.
thanks
nick.
Bill,
Nope have not seen the configs, just make a few educated guesses.... I did ask for an ipconfig/all and a route print from both boxes...
j3ggs
Nope have not seen the configs, just make a few educated guesses.... I did ask for an ipconfig/all and a route print from both boxes...
j3ggs
ASKER
okay, here is all the configuration info you requested:
LAPTOP 1:
Microsoft Windows XP [Version 5.1.2600]
(C) Copyright 1985-2001 Microsoft Corp.
C:\Documents and Settings\nick>ipconfig/all
Windows IP Configuration
Host Name . . . . . . . . . . . . : love
Primary Dns Suffix . . . . . . . :
Node Type . . . . . . . . . . . . : Unknown
IP Routing Enabled. . . . . . . . : No
WINS Proxy Enabled. . . . . . . . : No
Ethernet adapter Network Bridge:
Connection-specific DNS Suffix . :
Description . . . . . . . . . . . : MAC Bridge Miniport
Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 02-33-D9-0D-F8-38
Dhcp Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : Yes
Autoconfiguration Enabled . . . . : Yes
Autoconfiguration IP Address. . . : 169.254.143.223
Subnet Mask . . . . . . . . . . . : 255.255.0.0
Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . :
Ethernet adapter Wireless Network Connection:
Connection-specific DNS Suffix . :
Description . . . . . . . . . . . : Wireless-G Notebook Adapter
Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 00-06-25-43-6A-C5
Dhcp Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : Yes
Autoconfiguration Enabled . . . . : Yes
IP Address. . . . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.1.100
Subnet Mask . . . . . . . . . . . : 255.255.255.0
Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.1.1
DHCP Server . . . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.1.1
DNS Servers . . . . . . . . . . . : 194.168.8.100
194.168.4.100
Lease Obtained. . . . . . . . . . : 16 March 2005 19:41:25
Lease Expires . . . . . . . . . . : 17 March 2005 19:41:25
Ethernet adapter Local Area Connection:
Connection-specific DNS Suffix . :
Description . . . . . . . . . . . : Broadcom 440x 10/100 Integrated Cont
roller
Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 00-0D-56-AC-57-25
Dhcp Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : No
IP Address. . . . . . . . . . . . : 10.0.0.1
Subnet Mask . . . . . . . . . . . : 255.255.255.0
Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . :
C:\Documents and Settings\nick>
Microsoft Windows XP [Version 5.1.2600]
(C) Copyright 1985-2001 Microsoft Corp.
C:\Documents and Settings\nick>route print
==========================
Interface List
0x1 ..........................
0x2 ...02 33 d9 0d f8 38 ...... MAC Bridge Miniport - Packet Scheduler Miniport
0x3 ...00 06 25 43 6a c5 ...... Wireless-G Notebook Adapter - Packet Scheduler M
iniport
0x10005 ...00 0d 56 ac 57 25 ...... Broadcom 440x 10/100 Integrated Controller -
Packet Scheduler Miniport
==========================
==========================
Active Routes:
Network Destination Netmask Gateway Interface Metric
0.0.0.0 0.0.0.0 192.168.1.1 192.168.1.100 20
10.0.0.0 255.255.255.0 10.0.0.1 10.0.0.1 20
10.0.0.1 255.255.255.255 127.0.0.1 127.0.0.1 20
10.255.255.255 255.255.255.255 10.0.0.1 10.0.0.1 20
127.0.0.0 255.0.0.0 127.0.0.1 127.0.0.1 1
169.254.0.0 255.255.0.0 169.254.143.223 169.254.143.223 10
169.254.143.223 255.255.255.255 127.0.0.1 127.0.0.1 10
169.254.255.255 255.255.255.255 169.254.143.223 169.254.143.223 10
192.168.1.0 255.255.255.0 192.168.1.100 192.168.1.100 20
192.168.1.100 255.255.255.255 127.0.0.1 127.0.0.1 20
192.168.1.255 255.255.255.255 192.168.1.100 192.168.1.100 20
224.0.0.0 240.0.0.0 10.0.0.1 10.0.0.1 20
224.0.0.0 240.0.0.0 169.254.143.223 169.254.143.223 10
224.0.0.0 240.0.0.0 192.168.1.100 192.168.1.100 20
255.255.255.255 255.255.255.255 10.0.0.1 10.0.0.1 1
255.255.255.255 255.255.255.255 169.254.143.223 169.254.143.223 1
255.255.255.255 255.255.255.255 192.168.1.100 192.168.1.100 1
Default Gateway: 192.168.1.1
==========================
Persistent Routes:
None
C:\Documents and Settings\nick>
LAPTOP 2:
Microsoft Windows XP [Version 5.1.2600]
(C) Copyright 1985-2001 Microsoft Corp.
C:\Documents and Settings\nick>ipconfig/all
Windows IP Configuration
Host Name . . . . . . . . . . . . : BUG
Primary Dns Suffix . . . . . . . :
Node Type . . . . . . . . . . . . : Mixed
IP Routing Enabled. . . . . . . . : No
WINS Proxy Enabled. . . . . . . . : No
Ethernet adapter Wireless Network Connection:
Media State . . . . . . . . . . . : Media disconnected
Description . . . . . . . . . . . : Intel(R) PRO/Wireless 2200BG Network
Connection
Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 00-0E-35-5D-93-87
Ethernet adapter Network Bridge (Network Bridge):
Connection-specific DNS Suffix . :
Description . . . . . . . . . . . : MAC Bridge Miniport
Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : B2-F4-84-67-68-CC
Dhcp Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : Yes
Autoconfiguration Enabled . . . . : Yes
Autoconfiguration IP Address. . . : 169.254.11.88
Subnet Mask . . . . . . . . . . . : 255.255.0.0
Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . :
Ethernet adapter Local Area Connection:
Connection-specific DNS Suffix . :
Description . . . . . . . . . . . : Intel(R) PRO/100 VE Network Connecti
on
Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 00-00-F0-82-9B-62
Dhcp Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : No
IP Address. . . . . . . . . . . . : 10.0.0.2
Subnet Mask . . . . . . . . . . . : 255.255.255.0
Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . :
C:\Documents and Settings\nick>route print
==========================
Interface List
0x1 ..........................
0x2 ...00 0e 35 5d 93 87 ...... Intel(R) PRO/Wireless 2200BG Network Connection
- Packet Scheduler Miniport
0x3 ...b2 f4 84 67 68 cc ...... MAC Bridge Miniport - Packet Scheduler Miniport
0x10005 ...00 00 f0 82 9b 62 ...... Intel(R) PRO/100 VE Network Connection - Pac
ket Scheduler Miniport
==========================
==========================
Active Routes:
Network Destination Netmask Gateway Interface Metric
10.0.0.0 255.255.255.0 10.0.0.2 10.0.0.2 20
10.0.0.2 255.255.255.255 127.0.0.1 127.0.0.1 20
10.255.255.255 255.255.255.255 10.0.0.2 10.0.0.2 20
127.0.0.0 255.0.0.0 127.0.0.1 127.0.0.1 1
169.254.0.0 255.255.0.0 169.254.11.88 169.254.11.88 10
169.254.11.88 255.255.255.255 127.0.0.1 127.0.0.1 10
169.254.255.255 255.255.255.255 169.254.11.88 169.254.11.88 10
224.0.0.0 240.0.0.0 10.0.0.2 10.0.0.2 20
224.0.0.0 240.0.0.0 169.254.11.88 169.254.11.88 10
255.255.255.255 255.255.255.255 10.0.0.2 10.0.0.2 1
255.255.255.255 255.255.255.255 169.254.11.88 169.254.11.88 1
255.255.255.255 255.255.255.255 169.254.11.88 2 1
==========================
Persistent Routes:
None
C:\Documents and Settings\nick>
LAPTOP 1:
Microsoft Windows XP [Version 5.1.2600]
(C) Copyright 1985-2001 Microsoft Corp.
C:\Documents and Settings\nick>ipconfig/all
Windows IP Configuration
Host Name . . . . . . . . . . . . : love
Primary Dns Suffix . . . . . . . :
Node Type . . . . . . . . . . . . : Unknown
IP Routing Enabled. . . . . . . . : No
WINS Proxy Enabled. . . . . . . . : No
Ethernet adapter Network Bridge:
Connection-specific DNS Suffix . :
Description . . . . . . . . . . . : MAC Bridge Miniport
Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 02-33-D9-0D-F8-38
Dhcp Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : Yes
Autoconfiguration Enabled . . . . : Yes
Autoconfiguration IP Address. . . : 169.254.143.223
Subnet Mask . . . . . . . . . . . : 255.255.0.0
Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . :
Ethernet adapter Wireless Network Connection:
Connection-specific DNS Suffix . :
Description . . . . . . . . . . . : Wireless-G Notebook Adapter
Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 00-06-25-43-6A-C5
Dhcp Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : Yes
Autoconfiguration Enabled . . . . : Yes
IP Address. . . . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.1.100
Subnet Mask . . . . . . . . . . . : 255.255.255.0
Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.1.1
DHCP Server . . . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.1.1
DNS Servers . . . . . . . . . . . : 194.168.8.100
194.168.4.100
Lease Obtained. . . . . . . . . . : 16 March 2005 19:41:25
Lease Expires . . . . . . . . . . : 17 March 2005 19:41:25
Ethernet adapter Local Area Connection:
Connection-specific DNS Suffix . :
Description . . . . . . . . . . . : Broadcom 440x 10/100 Integrated Cont
roller
Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 00-0D-56-AC-57-25
Dhcp Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : No
IP Address. . . . . . . . . . . . : 10.0.0.1
Subnet Mask . . . . . . . . . . . : 255.255.255.0
Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . :
C:\Documents and Settings\nick>
Microsoft Windows XP [Version 5.1.2600]
(C) Copyright 1985-2001 Microsoft Corp.
C:\Documents and Settings\nick>route print
==========================
Interface List
0x1 ..........................
0x2 ...02 33 d9 0d f8 38 ...... MAC Bridge Miniport - Packet Scheduler Miniport
0x3 ...00 06 25 43 6a c5 ...... Wireless-G Notebook Adapter - Packet Scheduler M
iniport
0x10005 ...00 0d 56 ac 57 25 ...... Broadcom 440x 10/100 Integrated Controller -
Packet Scheduler Miniport
==========================
==========================
Active Routes:
Network Destination Netmask Gateway Interface Metric
0.0.0.0 0.0.0.0 192.168.1.1 192.168.1.100 20
10.0.0.0 255.255.255.0 10.0.0.1 10.0.0.1 20
10.0.0.1 255.255.255.255 127.0.0.1 127.0.0.1 20
10.255.255.255 255.255.255.255 10.0.0.1 10.0.0.1 20
127.0.0.0 255.0.0.0 127.0.0.1 127.0.0.1 1
169.254.0.0 255.255.0.0 169.254.143.223 169.254.143.223 10
169.254.143.223 255.255.255.255 127.0.0.1 127.0.0.1 10
169.254.255.255 255.255.255.255 169.254.143.223 169.254.143.223 10
192.168.1.0 255.255.255.0 192.168.1.100 192.168.1.100 20
192.168.1.100 255.255.255.255 127.0.0.1 127.0.0.1 20
192.168.1.255 255.255.255.255 192.168.1.100 192.168.1.100 20
224.0.0.0 240.0.0.0 10.0.0.1 10.0.0.1 20
224.0.0.0 240.0.0.0 169.254.143.223 169.254.143.223 10
224.0.0.0 240.0.0.0 192.168.1.100 192.168.1.100 20
255.255.255.255 255.255.255.255 10.0.0.1 10.0.0.1 1
255.255.255.255 255.255.255.255 169.254.143.223 169.254.143.223 1
255.255.255.255 255.255.255.255 192.168.1.100 192.168.1.100 1
Default Gateway: 192.168.1.1
==========================
Persistent Routes:
None
C:\Documents and Settings\nick>
LAPTOP 2:
Microsoft Windows XP [Version 5.1.2600]
(C) Copyright 1985-2001 Microsoft Corp.
C:\Documents and Settings\nick>ipconfig/all
Windows IP Configuration
Host Name . . . . . . . . . . . . : BUG
Primary Dns Suffix . . . . . . . :
Node Type . . . . . . . . . . . . : Mixed
IP Routing Enabled. . . . . . . . : No
WINS Proxy Enabled. . . . . . . . : No
Ethernet adapter Wireless Network Connection:
Media State . . . . . . . . . . . : Media disconnected
Description . . . . . . . . . . . : Intel(R) PRO/Wireless 2200BG Network
Connection
Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 00-0E-35-5D-93-87
Ethernet adapter Network Bridge (Network Bridge):
Connection-specific DNS Suffix . :
Description . . . . . . . . . . . : MAC Bridge Miniport
Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : B2-F4-84-67-68-CC
Dhcp Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : Yes
Autoconfiguration Enabled . . . . : Yes
Autoconfiguration IP Address. . . : 169.254.11.88
Subnet Mask . . . . . . . . . . . : 255.255.0.0
Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . :
Ethernet adapter Local Area Connection:
Connection-specific DNS Suffix . :
Description . . . . . . . . . . . : Intel(R) PRO/100 VE Network Connecti
on
Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 00-00-F0-82-9B-62
Dhcp Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : No
IP Address. . . . . . . . . . . . : 10.0.0.2
Subnet Mask . . . . . . . . . . . : 255.255.255.0
Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . :
C:\Documents and Settings\nick>route print
==========================
Interface List
0x1 ..........................
0x2 ...00 0e 35 5d 93 87 ...... Intel(R) PRO/Wireless 2200BG Network Connection
- Packet Scheduler Miniport
0x3 ...b2 f4 84 67 68 cc ...... MAC Bridge Miniport - Packet Scheduler Miniport
0x10005 ...00 00 f0 82 9b 62 ...... Intel(R) PRO/100 VE Network Connection - Pac
ket Scheduler Miniport
==========================
==========================
Active Routes:
Network Destination Netmask Gateway Interface Metric
10.0.0.0 255.255.255.0 10.0.0.2 10.0.0.2 20
10.0.0.2 255.255.255.255 127.0.0.1 127.0.0.1 20
10.255.255.255 255.255.255.255 10.0.0.2 10.0.0.2 20
127.0.0.0 255.0.0.0 127.0.0.1 127.0.0.1 1
169.254.0.0 255.255.0.0 169.254.11.88 169.254.11.88 10
169.254.11.88 255.255.255.255 127.0.0.1 127.0.0.1 10
169.254.255.255 255.255.255.255 169.254.11.88 169.254.11.88 10
224.0.0.0 240.0.0.0 10.0.0.2 10.0.0.2 20
224.0.0.0 240.0.0.0 169.254.11.88 169.254.11.88 10
255.255.255.255 255.255.255.255 10.0.0.2 10.0.0.2 1
255.255.255.255 255.255.255.255 169.254.11.88 169.254.11.88 1
255.255.255.255 255.255.255.255 169.254.11.88 2 1
==========================
Persistent Routes:
None
C:\Documents and Settings\nick>
Thanks for the clarifications, guys.
I'm looking at a Windows 2000 right now, probably upgraded from a WinNT configuration.
The "hosts" file is in c:\WINNT\system32\drivers\
Be careful when editing it since you still want it to end up with the name "hosts", not "hosts.txt".
Actually at this point you why do you need to edit it?
You've already put the IP addresses in so they are saved by Windows.
Also I notice that the wireless is not working on Laptop 2, at least at the time you grabbed the configs.
Does it have a problem or was that just a timing issue?
Bill
I'm looking at a Windows 2000 right now, probably upgraded from a WinNT configuration.
The "hosts" file is in c:\WINNT\system32\drivers\
Be careful when editing it since you still want it to end up with the name "hosts", not "hosts.txt".
Actually at this point you why do you need to edit it?
You've already put the IP addresses in so they are saved by Windows.
Also I notice that the wireless is not working on Laptop 2, at least at the time you grabbed the configs.
Does it have a problem or was that just a timing issue?
Bill
ASKER
i probably turned it off for a bit! it works fine
so, if i have just set new ip addresses for my ethernet connection, how will xp know to use this when i transfer data ?
i'm going out for a while so will pick this up later
thanks
nick
so, if i have just set new ip addresses for my ethernet connection, how will xp know to use this when i transfer data ?
i'm going out for a while so will pick this up later
thanks
nick
sorry for being an xp retard, but MAC Bridge? Is this some fancy microsoft thing for combining two nics (i.e. bridging them together).... If so, could this be the problem... If not does anyone know what it does?
would look it up, but dont have time right now......
regards
j3ggs
would look it up, but dont have time right now......
regards
j3ggs
ASKER
i would indeed like to know what my mac bridge is - do i need it? as i am able to transfer data without having my local area connection within my network bridge.
nick.
nick.
I believe the MAC Bridge is how XP enables IP passthrough.
The other day I tried to use this to "bridge" the two connections on an XP laptop (e-net and wireless).
It did not succeed, not sure why.
Nick, that's a good point by j3ggs - you probably want to remove the bridging.
To do that, go into the Control Panel, open up Network Connections, then do a right-hand mouse click on the first network connection (not the MAC bridge). There should be a menu item saying "Remove from bridge". Click it. Then do the same on the other network connection.
Bill
The other day I tried to use this to "bridge" the two connections on an XP laptop (e-net and wireless).
It did not succeed, not sure why.
Nick, that's a good point by j3ggs - you probably want to remove the bridging.
To do that, go into the Control Panel, open up Network Connections, then do a right-hand mouse click on the first network connection (not the MAC bridge). There should be a menu item saying "Remove from bridge". Click it. Then do the same on the other network connection.
Bill
Those Network Bridge interfaces aren't impairing the machines' ability to connect with each other. You can tell from the routing tables that your 3 networks are independent of each other. The bridge interfaces will only receive packets destined specifically for the 169.254 network because they are gateways only to that network. These 169.254 addresses come from Windows' Autoconfiguration when a DHCP server is not found on that network segment. BTW, it's not a Microsoft technology, it's from IETF, RFC 3927.
ASKER
ok, i have removed all network connections from the network bridge and xp is still choosing (sometimes) to transfer data via the wireless connection. i need to switch off the wireless connection on one of the laptops to force a transfer over the ethernet connection
nick
nick
Nick, when you say "transfer data" what are you using - ftp? Shared disks?
If it is command line ftp, please post the command line that you used last time the transfer went via wireless.
If it is shared disks, how are the shares defined?
I'm not sure, but perhaps entering "net use" in a command window (ie, DOS window) will allow you to capture the shared disk config so you can paste it here for us.
Bill
If it is command line ftp, please post the command line that you used last time the transfer went via wireless.
If it is shared disks, how are the shares defined?
I'm not sure, but perhaps entering "net use" in a command window (ie, DOS window) will allow you to capture the shared disk config so you can paste it here for us.
Bill
ASKER
ok, i have a folder on one of my laptops that i used as a shared folder for transfering data between the two laptops. i have this folder as a mapped drive on both laptops to which i can send files in order to transfer them (if they are on the laptop that doesn't have the shared folder) or make them accessible (if they are on the laptop that does have the shared folder).
nick.
nick.
Nick,
Did you put those host file entries in at all?
This I think will definatly solve your problem. Then when you open up \\computer1\share it will look in the host file for the IP of computer1. If in your host file you put
ethernet.ip.address.comp1 computer1_name
(replace the aboev with the ethernet ip address "space" computername)
then it will always reference computer1's ip address whenever you connect to that share.
regards
j3ggs
PS if you dont know how to edit the hosts file, do:
open up a dos box
type "c:" return
type "cd \windows\system32\drivers\
type "edit hosts" return
then look at the format of the localhost entry, and put a new one in for the other computer you are trying to share
then file/save and your all done.
Did you put those host file entries in at all?
This I think will definatly solve your problem. Then when you open up \\computer1\share it will look in the host file for the IP of computer1. If in your host file you put
ethernet.ip.address.comp1 computer1_name
(replace the aboev with the ethernet ip address "space" computername)
then it will always reference computer1's ip address whenever you connect to that share.
regards
j3ggs
PS if you dont know how to edit the hosts file, do:
open up a dos box
type "c:" return
type "cd \windows\system32\drivers\
type "edit hosts" return
then look at the format of the localhost entry, and put a new one in for the other computer you are trying to share
then file/save and your all done.
ASKER
thanks j3ggs
i ammended the local host file (i hadn't done it before now because it seemed like this method was being questioned) and the first transfer that i did in each direction did go via the ethernet connection. then i unplugged the ethernet connection to see if i could still transfer wirelessly and i could, but then when i reconnected the ethernet cable and the local area connection was recognised, i tried another transfer and xp was still using the wireless connection. what might be going on here? should i accept that disconnecting and reconnecting the ethernet connection will mess up the configuration for data transfer, or should the default connection have reverted back to ethernet when i reconnected the cable?
thanks
nick.
i ammended the local host file (i hadn't done it before now because it seemed like this method was being questioned) and the first transfer that i did in each direction did go via the ethernet connection. then i unplugged the ethernet connection to see if i could still transfer wirelessly and i could, but then when i reconnected the ethernet cable and the local area connection was recognised, i tried another transfer and xp was still using the wireless connection. what might be going on here? should i accept that disconnecting and reconnecting the ethernet connection will mess up the configuration for data transfer, or should the default connection have reverted back to ethernet when i reconnected the cable?
thanks
nick.
Hi Nick,
I think timhl suggested putting two entries in your hosts file, one for the wireless connection, and one for the ethernet (but using different computer names for each).
for instance, you could set your wireless to be "computer_w" and your ethernet to be "computer_e". Then when you "want" to use your wireless, you can reference that connection by "\\computer_w\share" then, if you want to use ethernet use "\\computer_e\share". That way you have the choice.
I think also by changing the name from what the computer is actually called will help, as your machine is obviously hearing a broadcast from the other machine telling it its new ip address.
This way you will fool the computer, as you wont be connecting to the real computer name!
regards
j3ggs
I think timhl suggested putting two entries in your hosts file, one for the wireless connection, and one for the ethernet (but using different computer names for each).
for instance, you could set your wireless to be "computer_w" and your ethernet to be "computer_e". Then when you "want" to use your wireless, you can reference that connection by "\\computer_w\share" then, if you want to use ethernet use "\\computer_e\share". That way you have the choice.
I think also by changing the name from what the computer is actually called will help, as your machine is obviously hearing a broadcast from the other machine telling it its new ip address.
This way you will fool the computer, as you wont be connecting to the real computer name!
regards
j3ggs
ASKER
ok, now i am confused again. i understand that you want me to use two computer names for each computer, one for each ip address. but if i then enter two names in my host file, how will xp know which one to use for data transfer. you seem to be suggesting that it will defaut to the ethernet as i would need to specify when i want to use my wireless, but i am not clear on this.
nick
nick
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ASKER
this all seems to be getting rather complicated for something that i thought would be simple. as i explained above at the moment i am using a shared folder, mapped as a network drive on both laptops which i have added to the right click/send to menu on both laptops. then if i have a file/folder i want to share i can easily send it to this folder. if there isn't a straight forward way of making xp force transfer via ethernet, i will stick with turning off the wireless connection when i want to do this, as cajunbill suggests, as this isn't too arduous!
nick
nick
You can check CajunBill's hunch by running 'net sessions' on the computer hosting the share. Map the drives like I suggested, then open a Command Prompt and type 'net session'. You'll have one line per connected session.
Another method would be use this command in the command window (on the computer hosting the share):
netstat -an | find "ESTABLISHED"
This will show you the IP addresses of all machines that have a session open to some resource.
Another method would be use this command in the command window (on the computer hosting the share):
netstat -an | find "ESTABLISHED"
This will show you the IP addresses of all machines that have a session open to some resource.
ASKER
i have rather run out of time and energy to spend on this issue. i think the simplest way is just to disable one of the wireless connections when i want to use the ethernet connection.
i propose to accept cajunbill's suggestion that i do this as the answer and divide the points between cajunbill, timhl and j3ggs - any objections?
thanks everyone for your help
nick
i propose to accept cajunbill's suggestion that i do this as the answer and divide the points between cajunbill, timhl and j3ggs - any objections?
thanks everyone for your help
nick
Go for it. I'm guessing we all learned something during this, as often happens - I did, anyway.
Good luck, Nick, check back if you need any help in the future.
CajunBill
Good luck, Nick, check back if you need any help in the future.
CajunBill
Could you paste the ipconfigs and a route print on? (i.e. dos prompt then type "ipconfig /all" and then "route print". I assume that both machines are wired and wireless? Otherwise unless your bandwidth on the wireless network is higher it should happen by default.
Also how are you communicating between machines, i.e. is it by name/ip etc.
regards
j3ggs