Home Networks, TCP/IP, NETBEUI & IPX/SPX

[clevelandtexas]

First my setup:

2-PC's with NIC's connected to a 5-port switch and my cable modem connected to the uplink port of my switch. (Yes, I have two IP's). ZoneAlarm is installed on each PC.

I have all three of these protocols installed on my 2 PC's for the following reasons:

TCP/IP to talk to the internet through my cable modem.

NETBEUI for my 2 PC's to share files and printing.

IPX/SPX because some games require it.

I have heard that I can get rid of NETBEUI and use TCP/IP for file/print sharing. I've tried doing this but when I do I no longer get either PC to show up in Network Neighborhood but I still have internet access.

Is there something in ZoneAlarm that "hides" my two PC's from each other when I use TCP/IP for file/print sharing?

Should I leave well enough alone or really try to replace NETBEUI with TCP/IP for file/print sharing?

I don't have ICS installed because everything works without it since each PC has it's own IP. I don't have to turn on one computer so the other can access the internet. I only have to turn on my cable modem and switch for either PC to access the internet.

Thanks in advance for your input.

[clevelandtexas]

Yes, I've heard that.

But some sources claim that NETBEUI adds overhead to the network and can slow my cable throughput. To what degree they don't say.

[C.M. Weaver]

Negligable. Remember that communications between your PC and the internet will use TCP/IP and NetBEUI will be used internally only.

C.M.

[Matt615]

Without NetBeui installed on both computers you will not see either of them in network neighborhood.

[swv002]

Leave it alone Running File/Print Sharing through TCP/IP is a major security risk. Since NetBEUI is not routable you increase security on your LAN.

I would agree with this statement except he is running a firewall and that will protect him from intruders. Since he is running a firewall it is not necessary for him to run NETBEUI. The only reason he may have to run NETBEUI will be if he does not have static IP addresses. All software Firewall programs give you the option of excluding certain IP addresses from being blocked, so he should be able to exclude the IP's his computers are using so that they can see each other using TCP/IP. If the computers are assigned IP's through DHCP, then he is better off using NETBEUI. If he has static IP's then he should be able to exclude those IP's through the software's GUI or he may have to edit the ".ini" file and add those IP's in the ".ini" file.

[C.M. Weaver]

I would agree with this statement except he is running a firewall and that will protect him from intruders. Since he is running a firewall it is not necessary for him to run NETBEUI.
It is always best to practice good security even beyond the firewall. If you have a poorly configured firewall, then you have a potential security risk using File/Print Sharing over TCP/IP.


The only reason he may have to run NETBEUI will be if he does not have static IP addresses. All software Firewall programs give you the option of excluding certain IP addresses from being blocked, so he should be able to exclude the IP's his computers are using so that they can see each other using TCP/IP. If the computers are assigned IP's through DHCP, then he is better off using NETBEUI. If he has static IP's then he should be able to exclude those IP's through the software's GUI or he may have to edit the ".ini" file and add those IP's in the ".ini" file.
NetBUEI is a non-routable protocol and does not use IP for an addressing scheme, it uses a special function of NetBIOS to allow for communication over LAN's. Static or dynamic IP configuration has nothing to do with using or not using NetBEUI.

[ 02-18-2001: Message edited by: C.M. Weaver ]

[ 02-18-2001: Message edited by: C.M. Weaver ]

[clevelandtexas]

I'm using RoadRunner which has dynamic IP's although they've haven't changed in the 23 days since I got RoadRunner. I've heard if I were not to access RoadRunner for several days my IP could change.

I was surprised to know that it was NETBEUI that caused my PC's to show up in Network Neighborhood. I think I'll keep my system as it is for the time being. It works, it is stable and I have good internet speed.

Thanks for all the comments.

[C.M. Weaver]

Are your PC's showing up on your Network Neighborhood or Road Runner's? If it's on RR's then you have file/print sharing bound to TCP/IP and it doesn't actually matter if your IP is static or dynamic.

[clevelandtexas]

They show up in Network Neighborhood, the one that comes with Windows.

[swv002]

NetBUEI is a non-routable protocol and does not use IP for an addressing scheme, it uses a special function of NetBIOS to allow for communication over LAN's. Static or dynamic IP configuration has nothing to do with using or not using NetBEUI.

You mis-understood my point. I know NETBUEI is a non-routable protocal, I am a network engineer with my MCSE. I was trying to explain that the only need for NETBUEI would be if he could not configure his firewall in a way in which his two computers could see each other. My point was that if he had static IP addresses then he could exclude them from blocking by his firewall...but if his IP address are being dynamically assigned then it would be difficult to do exclusions...then you would have to use NETBUEI so that the two PC's on the LAN could see each other. Beyond that he needs to make sure that he puts passwords on his folders that he shares for added security.

[swv002]

NETBUEI

He,he...forgive the mis-spelling, I just noticed...I said I was an MCSE, not an English major.

[C.M. Weaver]

Leave it alone :) Running File/Print Sharing through TCP/IP is a major security risk. Since NetBEUI is not routable you increase security on your LAN.