Topic: Need help with heterogenous home network

[karx-elf-erx]

Is someone here who can help me setting up a heterogenous network (Linux/Win7/WinXP). I have it halfway running, but there are some problems left.

[-<WillyP>-]

Sure, I'll be right over... uhm, where do you live? 

[Matthew]

What kind of problems?

[karx-elf-erx]

Sure, I'll be right over... uhm, where do you live?  

Veeeeeeery funny. It should be clear enough that the problems are of the kind that can be helped with online.


Setup

- DSL Router (Fritz Box)
- Win7 machine (Ultimate 64 bit)
- WinXP machine (home SP 3)
- Linux machine (openSUSE 11.3 32 bit)

All in a workplace (not home) network.

Win7 machine can see and access XP and Linux machines.


Problems

1.1. XP machine cannot see Win7 machine despite public folders available on the Win7 machine.

2.1. Linux machine cannot access Win7 machine (when trying to add it as "location -> server -> correct local IP address), I get an error message about some storage list (or so) that couldn't be received from the server. Samba installed.

2.2. Although I have made a folder public (as user share) by using a regular (non root) user, I also can only access that shared network folder as root.


Solutions?

[Pumo]

Have you checked on Win7 if your computer is defined as part of home group?
Also be sure your network is set-up as home network (BTW, it's a wireless network?) and see if XP can see it after that.

I do have a wireless home network on my house and can share files and printer between both of my computers (the desktop one with Win7 and a Netbook with WinXP) without problems.

I'm not an expert on this though, so can't help you much on this.
However, I managed to setup my XP/7 network in a few minutes a couple of times without problems, so I don't understand why WinXP doesn't sees your Win7 computer folders. It's weird.  

Maybe could it be a problem on your hub or router if you have any? Some problem with IPs?

[karx-elf-erx]

As far as I know to have a heterogenous network with Win7, a home network is exactly what you must not chose - you need a workplace network.

[TechPro]

Are you trying to tell the XP system to find the 7 system by entering the 7 system's computer name?  If so, have you tried the same command but entered the IP# of the 7 system instead of the 7 system's computer name?

[karx-elf-erx]

No, I have just tried to find it in the "entire network" subtree in Windows explorer.

[TechPro]

Many "work" networks/domains have pretty good DNS systems which will populate the browse list for you.  However, the XP doesn't seem to be getting all the info.  Is the XP only connected to the network, not a full member of the network?

Most systems found by using the network browsing are systems that are broadcasting NetBIOS data which (for security reasons) is often off or blocked by various settings and/or software (such as firewalls).

You DNS will also aid in populating that browse list.  Some DNS systems are set to not provide such data for browsing (for security, obviously) thus the only ones you find are mostly nearby NetBIOS broadcasting systems, and even then it can miss a lot of systems.

Your router will also play a major role in allowing/disallowing devices finding each other.  If it doesn't have devices in it's tables, the connected computers usually won't show those devices unless that computer itself finds the device.

The IP# is a great way to avoid bothering with all that.