Configuring TCP/IP and establishing connection

To configure TCP/IP, following steps to be done:

  1. Click Start, click Control Panel, click Network and Internet Connections, and then click Network Connections.

  2. Right-click the network connection that you want to configure, and then click Properties.

  3. On the General tab, click Internet Protocol (TCP/IP), and then click Properties.

  4. Enter IP address, Subnet Mask.

  5. 5.    Click on all Ok buttons.

IP - is responsible for moving packet of data from source computr to destination computer. IP forwards each packet based on a four byte destination address (the IP number). TCP/IP assigns a unique number to every computer. This "IP number" is a four byte value that, by convention, is expressed by converting each byte into a decimal number (0 to 255) and separating the bytes with a dot. A lot rules are in IP assigning that are not included in this article. But some example IPs for peer-to-peer and Local Area Network are following.

Computer 1	Computer 2	Computer 3	Computer n
192.168.0.1	192.168.0.2	192.168.0.3	192.168.0.n
192.168.1.1	192.168.1.2	192.168.1.3	192.168.1.n

Establishing Connection:

After applying the IP address connecting wires with RJ connector pluged into the port of each LAN card. As mentioned above, use crossover configuration for PC to PC connection and straight-thru for switch to PC connection. In case of only two computers no need to use a switch/hub it a crossover cable is manageable. But in case of more than two computers a central device usually called hub/switch is essential. The terminology of this technique is called “star topology”.

After establishing the physical connection it needs to be checked. To check connectivity ping command was used. If it replies, that means connection is ok. But if it shows any other massage that means something is wrong need to be fixed. Ping command syntax is given below.

At the command prompt, type ping IP address of the computer need to test, and then press Enter. Example – ping 192.168.0.2 –t . –t may not be used, it is used for unlimited ping.

On a small network, if you don't get a response in a second or two, the other computer is not recognized on the network. Make sure that it's turned on and that the network adapter is enabled and RJ jack is plugged in correctly.

While connection is ok it show message as below.

While connection is not ok it show message as below.

Change workgroup (or/and computer name):
For a good networking better is creating a custom workgroup. In the practical work default workgroup was left unchanged. But the work group can be changed on demand of custom workgroup. Steps to change group is given below-
  1. Right click on the My Computer icon on the desktop
  2. Select Properties
  3. Click on the Computer Name tab
  4. Click on the Change button

  5. To change the computer name, workgroup name, enter the appropriate information.

  6. Click ok.
  7. Restart when requested.
This video can be helpful ... ...