network - setup-question

[Endre]

Hi,
I'm in the process of setting up a small network for the first time, and I need some help :)

I want both computers to be able to be online at the same time AND communicate. (I know I need Samba for that part).

I have the following hardware set up and connected.
WinXP-machine is the server with two network-cards, one in and one out.
I also have a hub, and a Linux-box with network-card.

But, I only have ONE IP-address.

Do I even need the hub, or can one cable go directly from the win-box to the linux-box?
When I run ipconfig in WinXP, both cards seem active. The in-card displays different info than the out-card (different ip-address and one number lower on the subnet (254 vs 255)) The Outcard does not have a dfs suffix though, nor does it have a gateway set.
( I dont know what all this means, just giving as much info as I can)


While setting up the network on the linux-box, I'm asked for hostname-info. SHould I do it manually? If I set the ip-address of the win-box, it says that it's in use by another computer.
Can I use Subnet-settings to go around this problem?


Sorry about all the questions in one go, but I don't know where my problem lies.
If someone could tell me where to start, so I can start from there, it would be great :)

[ven0m]

If your not using a hub you'll need a cross-over cable.
You can set-up WinXP to forward your internet connection:

In your network connections window, right click your internet connection, properties, and then in the advanced tab you should see a box saying "Allow other users to connect to though this internet connection" check that box.
You may need to restart the windows box.

[edit]
( I dont know what all this means, just giving as much info as I can)
If you set-up DHCP on your linux box you won't have to worry about that.

[Endre]

Originally posted by ven0m
[B]If your not using a hub you'll need a cross-over cable.
You can set-up WinXP to forward your internet connection:

In your network connections window, right click your internet connection, properties, and then in the advanced tab you should see a box saying "Allow other users to connect to though this internet connection" check that box.
]

Should I do this on the card that has the incoming connection, or the one that goes out to the linux-box?
Cause I already tried, on the "out-card", and it didn't fly.

[serz]

ven0m, and how do you configure the linux box? just setting the gateway?

I'm asking you this because I've done that between Windows boxes but I never tried to use Win as gateway :)

[ven0m]

Originally posted by serz
ven0m, and how do you configure the linux box? just setting the gateway?

I'm asking you this because I've done that between Windows boxes but I never tried to use Win as gateway :)
I don't use Windows as a gateway, I use a router. I only know this because I use that setup at a friends house, so I can use his internet.

My linux box's have a static set-up.
Should I do this on the card that has the incoming connection, or the one that goes out to the linux-box?
Do this with the one that has the internet connection. Also there are wizards in windows to set this up as well, My suggestion is the short way of doing it.

[Endre]

so, I've moved on a little, and I've got the hardware and WinXP set up properly.

But the linux-box still won't connect, neither to the net or to the XP-server.

Do I need to install Samba for this? I don't know much about Samba, so please fill in my blanks.


Or is it just a matter of getting the nic-settings correct? If so, what should be my next move?

[ven0m]

Samba is a file and print service.

Can you post your nic's output:
/sbin/ifconfig

[Endre]

AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!
The satisfaction of it all!

I've succeded, and I'm writing this from my new computer, which is sharing the connection with the old one.
It's great to reap the rewards of literally days of research and testing.
I've never set up a network before, and it's a jungle of information with all the hubs/switches/routers, ics, dcc, straight-though and crossover cables. Most of these things I had never heard of before, but now I do :D