Simple LAN Connection Configuration (Do-it-Yourself)

How to configure two PCs to create a simple LAN?

Step 1:
Windows NT / 2000 :

• Click Start > Settings > Control Panel and open the Network and Dial-up Connections folder.
• Click and open the Local Area Connection icon.
• Select the TCP/IP protocol icon that is associated with the NIC in this PC.
• Click on Properties and click on Use the following IP address.

Windows XP :

• Click on Start > Settings > Control Panel and then click the Network Connection icon.
• Select the Local Area Network Connection and click on Change settings of this connection.
• Select the TCP/IP protocol icon that is associated with the NIC on this PC.
• Click on Properties and click on Use the following IP address.



Step 2:

Configure TCP/IP settings for the two PCs

a. Set the IP address information for each PC according to the information in the table.

b. Note that the default gateway IP address is not required, since these computers are directly connected.

The default gateway is only required on local area networks that are connected to a router.

Computer	IP Address	Subnet mask	Default Gateway
PC – A	192.168.1.1	255.255.255.0	Not Required
PC – B	192.168.1.2	255.255.255.0	Not Required

Windows NT / 2000:

• Click on Start > Settings > Control Panel and then open the Network and Dial-up Connections folder.
• Click and open the Local Area Connection icon.
• Select the TCP/IP protocol icon that is associated with the NIC in this PC. • Click on Properties and click on Use the following IP address.

Windows XP :

• Click on Start > Settings > Control Panel and then click the Network Connection icon.
• Select the Local Area Network Connection and click on Change settings of this connection.
• Select the TCP/IP protocol icon that is associated with the NIC on this PC.
• Click on Properties and click on Use the following IP address.

Verify your newly built network connection

Step 1:

Use the Start menu to open the Command Prompt, an MS-DOS-like window.
Press Start >Programs > Accessories > Command Prompt or Start > Programs > Command Prompt.

The following figure shows the Command screen. Type ipconfig and press the Enter key.
The spelling of ipconfig is critical while case is not. It is short for IP Configuration.

This screen shows the IP address, subnet mask, and default gateway.

Step 2:

Use the Start menu to open the Command Prompt (MS-DOS-like) window:

Windows 95 / 98 / Me :

Start > Programs > MS-DOS Prompt

Windows NT / 2000 users :

Start > Programs > Accessories > Command Prompt

Windows XP users :

Start > Programs > Accessories > Command Prompt

Test connectivity from one PC to the other through the switch by pinging the IP address of the opposite computer. Use the following command at the command prompt. C:>ping 192.168.1.1 (or 192.168.1.2)



Ok it's now connected and you did it!