Network Magic makes router setup easy

ZDNet recommends Network Magic for setting up your home network, and (based on this blogger’s experience) it really works.

This is a freeware application that guides you in setting up your network and configuring your router’s settings.  It’s also good for Vista as well as earlier Windows systems, and works with a number of different brands and models of routers.

Virtual network tutorials

Additional help on setting up virtual networks so you can move files, even remote control computers:

Lifehacker has a tutorial on how to control a computer remotely.

Lifehacker has a tutorial on how to access a home server behind a router/firewall.

Lifehacker has a tutorial on how to assign a domain name to your home web server using DynDNS.

[updated June 23, 2008]

Chris Pirillo (the famous “Lockergnome” guy) is a fan of the Virtual Private Network freeware Hamachi for accessing your computer from elsewhere securely.

“Hamachi allows you to create your own VPN basically… for free! You can add other users to it, and share files with them in a secure manner. Some of the features of Hamachi:

• LAN over the Internet Arrange multiple computers into their own secure network, just as if they were connected by a physical cable.
• Remote Access Remote control any machine on your network with Remote Desktop.
• Files and Network Drives Access critical files and network drives.
• Zero-configuration Works without having to adjust a firewall or router.
• Security Industry leading encryption and authentication.
• Cost Effective Basic version is free to use.”

VNC is Virtual Network Computing for remote control

Lifehacker has a tutorial on VNC “Virtual Network Computing” using TightVNC freeware.

You can search another system, troubleshoot somebody’s problems, perform tasks on another computer.

Now, that’s power.  Use it wisely and gently.

Azulstar Wireless Wizard checks out the local wireless networks

ClifNotes has a post on the Azulstar Wireless Wizard, which will:

• Show Network Info
• Renew/Release IP Address
• Enable DHCP
• Show IP Configuration
• Open Network Connection
• Run Bandwidth Test

Handy for connecting to networks when you’re away from your own.  Ad-supported freeware.

Create your own web server with HFS HTTP File Server

Gizmo’s Tech Support Alert Newsletter has a section on using HFS HTTP File Server to set up your own file server, which could be just for sharing files, or even for hosting your own web site.

Advice and security precaution links are included.

Connecting from Vista to a printer on an XP via a network

Recommended to try, if you’re having trouble setting up a network printer in Vista when the printer is on an XP computer on the same network:

The blog Yes, I’m Canadian tells how he managed it with a Samsung printer.  Apparently the same technique works for other brands as well.

Getmac is for networking, not Apples

When you are working with networks, it helps to have the Media Access Control (MAC) address of your computer network card.

The easy way to find it in XP is using the getmac command, but there are some additional features available.

Internet Fixes has instructions on the getmac command.

Another method is to use the command for ipconfig:

1. Click on the Start button
2. Click on Run
3. Type ipconfig/all

Networking printers

For those with a home or office network (NOT the campus network):

First, remember that you have to install the printer driver for that specific printer on whatever computer you are trying to print from, even if there is already a printer driver installed on the computer it is connected directly to.

Internet Fixes has instructions on mapping a network printer in XP.

Vista is another animal, of course. The official Microsoft instructions are here. Try them first.

Last ditch solution in getting a printer on an XP computer on the network to print from a Vista computer on that same network (no guarantees but works for some people):

1. On Vista PC go to Control Panel
2. Select Printers
3. Select Add printer
4. Click Add a local printer (which doesn’t sound right, but seems to help)
5. Click Create a new port
6. Click Local Port
7. Click Next
8. Enter a port name in the box, in this format: \\PC name\Printer namewhere “PC name” is the network name of the XP PC or Network Share where you have the printer and “Printer name” is the network name of that printer.

   Check on your XP computer under Control Panel > Printers and faxes > the specific printer > right click and select share > enter the share resources name

9. Choose the manufacturer and printer model of the printer you are adding.
10. Now the printer should be added. Print a test page.

So what’s your IP address at the moment?

Okay, so here’s the quick explanation of how this works and how to get around it:

1. There are not enough IP addresses (specific unchanging Internet addresses) in the world right now for everyone to have one.

2. Internet Service Providers (UA Fort Smith, the cable company, the phone company — whoever you go through to get on the Internet) gets around this by assigning numbers to current at-the-moment users, and then recycling them when those users sign off (or go inactive long enough).

3. That means that today your address might be, say, 12.345.678.901 when you login in.  Then you go to lunch, and the ISP recycles that number when you don’t use it for a bit.  Then you come back from lunch, and now your address is 12.345.678.234.  The last three digits are the ones that indicate you as apart from everyone else on line at the moment with that ISP network.

4. Normally you won’t ever notice this, but for certain purposes, you might need a static or fixed address.

For example, if you are dealing with a high-security situation where a secure network only allows certain addresses to login, you’d have to give a shorter version with a wild card as part of it, such as 12.345.678.* and open it up for almost anybody using the same ISP which you do.  That’s not good security, and you might not be allowed to do that.

Or, you want to look a little more professional with an unchanging address, but you can’t afford that kind of thing right now for your home or small office network.  Or maybe you’d like to access your computer at home from work, but don’t have a set address for it so you can address it.

So, you either pay extra (ouch!) for a static, unchanging address — or you use a free service like DynDNS for a free hostname that points to your dynamic IP or static IP address or URL. They also provide an update mechanism which makes the hostname work with your dynamic IP address.

Recycling your old computer by repurposing it

Daily Cup of Tech has an article on how to use your old computer for something else.

How about turning it into a firewall/router to network everything else?

How about a file server?

How about a print server?

How about… oh, just check the article for ideas.

Hotspot Shield for using wireless on the go

Hotspot Shield is for those who use the wireless hot spots in cafes, coffee shops, airports, etc. — which can also be very dangerous places to expose your passwords, etc.!

“But while you’re enjoying your latte and a bagel, some hacker might be accessing your passwords, credit card numbers, sensitive company data and much more. And standard antivirus software won’t protect you. That’s why AnchorFree is pleased to offer Hotspot Shield. This free security software keeps your Internet connection secure at public hotspots, home or work.”

“Hotspot Shield creates a virtual private network (VPN) between your laptop and the wireless router. This impenetrable tunnel prevents snoopers and hackers from viewing your email, instant messages, credit card information or anything else you send over a wireless network. Which means you remain anonymous and protect your privacy.  Hotspot Shield security software is free to download, employs the latest VPN technology, and is easy to install and use.”

Runs on XP, Vista, 2000, Macs… see the list at the site.

Free Internet? Maybe…

From the Librarians’ Internet Index for March 20, 2008 (these are related, so they are should be used together!):

Free Internet Access Providers
Annotated listing of free Internet service providers (ISPs) and websites that rate and review free and low-cost ISPs. The site notes that they “don’t recommend any of these services for use as your primary Web connection, if you need solid, reliable service. Still, the free services … are handy for use as a backup service, if your primary provider experiences downtime.” From TheFreeSite.com, a directory of free website services and offers.
URL: http://www.thefreesite.com/Free_Internet_Access/
LII Item: http://lii.org/cs/lii/view/item/25661

—————————————————————-
Hide and Go Seek: Finding the Disclosures in “Free” Internet Service Offers
This 2001 consumer alert explains “that some ‘free’ [Internet service] offers may end up being high cost, long-term items … because important restrictions and conditions on these offers are not always disclosed clearly or conspicuously.” It provides a list of questions to ask before accepting any “free” offers. From the Federal Trade Commission (FTC).
URL: http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/conline/pubs/alerts/freeispalrt.shtm
LII Item: http://lii.org/cs/lii/view/item/25660

(Copyright 2008 by Librarians' Internet Index.)

Pharming is harming

Scambusters.org has an article on pharming, something new to avoid on the Internet.

Pharming can be:

1. a big address server is cracked and used to give out false web site addresses to criminal sites, even when people ask for the correct address

2. your home network is cracked, and used to steal your identity, use your computer as a robot in some nefarious scheme(s), etc.

Read up and take precautions, especially if you have a home network.

Networking advice for Windows XP

Some tips on networking in Windows XP are available at Internet Fixes.

For example: “Even if it tells you to do it, don’t run Windows XP’s Network Setup Wizard on the other networked computers. You want to make the Windows XP computer conform to the existing network. The Wizard wants to make the rest of the network conform to XP.”

“You must disable Windows XP’s Internet Connection Firewall (ICF) on a local area network connection to other computers. If it’s enabled on a LAN, ICF will block File and Printer Sharing.”

“If you have Norton firewall installed you may run into problems. Try completely uninstalling it to eliminate it as the problem. If that fixes the problem, reinstall and try setting the security level to its lowest setting.”

More at the link above.

NetSetMan for use with multiple networks

NetSetMan is freeware which allows you to change your settings as you move from one wireless network to another.

Recommended (but not tested) by Clif Notes Newsletter.