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In order to set up a basic two computer network, you will need:
1) Category 5 (Cat 5) crossover cable (see fig#1). You can purchase these cables in different lengths. Be sure to buy one that fits your needs.
Note: A Crossover cable is different from an Ethernet cable. If you're using a Hub, Switch or Router to connect the two computers, an Ethernet cable is the way to go.
2) Fully functional Ethernet Adapters (Network Cards) installed on both computers systems.
| 1. | Connect each end of the Cat5 crossover cables into the network cards of each computer. |
| 2. | Boot up both computers and sign them on to Windows. |
| 3. | In order for both PCs to be able to communicate, the Ethernet adapters will need to be configured with a static IP address and a common Subnet mask. As an example, assign one PC an IP address of 192.168.0.1 and assign the second PC an IP address of 192.168.0.2. Both machines should use the Subnet mask 255.255.255.0. Here's how to configure your Network Card: Go to Start>> Control Panel>> Network Connections>> Right click your Local Area Connection and select Properties. Scroll the list for Internet Protocol (TCP/IP). Click the entry and select Properties. Under the General tab, tick the box labeled "Use the following IP address". Enter the IP address and Subnet mask that you would like to use. Repeat the steps above for the second computer system. |
| 4. | Be sure that both PCs have a common workgroup name of 15 characters or less. Here's how: Go to Start>> Control Panel>>System. Select the Computer Name tab. Click the Change button. Change the Workgroup name. Repeat these instructions on the second computer ensuring that both computers are named exactly the same. |
| 5. | Reboot both computer systems. |
| 6. | Next, open a command prompt on one of the computers by going to Start>>Run. Type in: command [Enter] or click OK. |
| 7. | Type: ping 192.168.0.2 (make sure you are using the computer assigned with 192.168.0.1) press Enter. |
| 8. | Five replies to your ping should be indicated. |
Note: If you receive a "timed out" message when attempting to ping your selected IP address, it is possible that the Internet Connection Firewall is interfering. Try right-clicking on "My Network Places", then select Properties. Right click your Local Area Connection and select Properties once again. Click the Advanced tab. Uncheck the box titled "Protect my computer and network by limiting or preventing access to this computer from the Internet". Click OK. Now, try pinging the selected IP address again.
9. Once you get the two computers to communicate successfully, you can now enjoy the benefits of file sharing, printer sharing, and Internet connection sharing. Nice work!
*Note:
While networking has been made simpler by some of the newer operating systems (i.e. XP & Vista), it should be completed by someone who is comfortable with assigning i.p. addresses, maintaining sharing permissions, and hardware (i.e. switches/ethernet cables/routers/etc.).
Auction Flex is not responsible for network maintenance. While we will from time to time suggest some helpful hints in setting up a network, we will NOT be able to support/troubleshoot network issues. Please hire a local IT/Network Specialist in your area if you would like your network maintained by a professional comfortable in this area. We at Auction Flex make this stipulation because it is too time costly and we must focus our support towards Auction Flex software issues. That being said, if you have a network specialist call us while he/she is setting up your network, we will happily assist with instructing how to map network drives, share folders, etc.
If you are comfortable with setting up your own network, please resource many of the online articles and user-posts that will help assist you through specific trouble points you may be experiencing.
| • | Install the software to c:\auctionflex\ |
| • | Do not install the software to a directory whose path includes spaces. (Ex. c:\program files\auctionflex\ ) |
| • | Is this the PRIMARY installation? |
| • | Next you will be prompted for the directory you wish your data to be saved in. |
| • | The program will create the necessary data files. |
| • | Workstation Maintenance form will pop up. |
| • | The Company Maintenance form will pop up. |
| • | You may need to enter your company information and the activation key that was provided to you. |
| • | You are now ready to use the Auction Flex software on this computer. |
| • | If this is the primary computer in a multi-workstation setup, complete these additional steps: |
| • | You now need to share the c:\auctionflex folder to your network. |
| • | Right click on the AuctionFlex folder and choose Sharing & Security |
| • | Click on the check box for Share this folder on the network |
| • | Accept the default Share name of AuctionFlex |
| • | Click the check box for Allow network users to change my files and click OK |
| • | Prior to installing Auction Flex on a secondary workstation we need to Map a Network Drive to the AuctionFlex share on the primary workstation. |
For XP computers:
| • | Click on the Tools drop down menu and choose Map Network Drive |
| • | Change your drive letter to X: |
| • | Browse for your folder. You want to choose the Auction Flex share on the primary computer. Some versions of Windows do not have a Browse button next to the folder. In this instance you need to find out the name of your primary computer and you can then manually type in the Folder path (ex:\\Primary\Auctionflex) |
| • | Make sure the checkbox for Reconnect at logon is checked |
For Vista computers:
| • | In the toolbar at the top, choose Map Network Drive |
| • | Change your drive letter to X: |
| • | Browse for your folder. You want to choose the Auction Flex share on the primary computer. Some versions of Windows do not have a Browse button next to the folder. In this instance you need to find out the name of your primary computer and you can then manually type in the Folder path (ex:\\Primary\Auctionflex) |
| • | Make sure the checkbox for Reconnect at logon is checked |
Install the software to c:\auctionflex\
| • | Do not install the software to a directory whose path includes spaces. (Ex. c:\program files\auctionflex\ ) |
| • | Is this the PRIMARY installation? |
| • | Workstation Maintenance form will pop up. |
| • | Choose drive letter X: at the bottom then double click on the data subfolder (the icon should change to a little open folder) |
| • | The remaining paths (image & report) will then automatically fill in as x:\images & x:\reports. |
| • | Choose a unique workstation number starting with 2 and incrementing by one for each additional workstation. |
| • | You are now ready to use the Auction Flex software. |
*Note:
On occasion, network drives will disconnect without warning, causing Auction Flex on secondary computers to lose access to the main data. If this occurs, close Auction Flex and open My Computer (Computer on Windows Vista). Open the Auction Flex drive. This will force the drive to reconnect. Re-open Auction Flex.
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