Networking

[Mike_CFII_MEL 789]

Hi,I have two computers that I want to setup as a network. I want to run FS9 on one computer and run Radar Contact 4 as well as Flightsim Commander & Activesky on the other. Both systems have Windows XP Pro installed. What do I need as far as hardware/software and where can I find instructions on setting this up.I also want to be able to run these systems separately when FS9 is not running.Thanks

[philshaw 0]

If the 2 computers allready have Network cards installed, all you need is a cross-over network cable.Windows includes all the software you need.If you need to install network cards they should cost you about

[Mike_CFII_MEL 789]

Hi,Both computers have a 10/100 ethernet boards and I have a RJ45 cable. Do I need a hub?.Thanks

[Kimchoc 1]

No, you do not NEED a hub, but you can put one in your system for "future" expansion if you want. Maybe a third computer to run something else. While you're at it, add the second or third monitor and investigate "Wideview".And I would recommend a switch, not a hub. They are a bit faster in their transmission of data. And we are ALL about speed aren't we?Make sure you have a "crossover" cable if not using a hub/switch. The standard network cable will not work if connecting computer to computer.Crossover cable explained:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ethernet_crossover_cableSwitch explained:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Network_switchKeep us posted.AND SO IT BEGINS>>> Muuuhaaaaaaa :)http://www.wideview.it/wv/images/wingspan_all.jpg

[Mike_CFII_MEL 789]

Hi,I have a patch cable, its the Belkin R7J304. Is this what I need?.Thanks

[Jim Harnes 13]

Mike,That is not what you need if you want to connect your computers directly, i.e., not through a switch or hub.To connect the two machines directly you need a crossover cable.Jim Harnes

[Mike_CFII_MEL 789]

Hi Jim,That cable says crossover on it.Thanks

[Kimchoc 1]

If thats what it says, you might be OK. It doesn't hurt to try it. You should learn the ping command for troubleshooting. Its a basic cmd line syntax for checking out your network setup.here it is:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PingYou should also know the IP address of each computer.Don't forget to allow each computer through its respective firewalls if you are running them.. If you want to share files, you'll have to set that up too. You can also setup the second computer to share internet access if you want. It comes in handy sometimes for downloading and watching your position on a Live Acars website.It takes about 3-4 minutes to get a network setup from the time you plug the cable in. But the learning curve to do that is a bit longer. Are you having fun yet? :)

[Mace 1,927]

I have a related question for you KimchocLet's assume I want a WIRELESS network; i.e. one FS box upstairs and a rig for general surfing, etc. downstairs. Can I do that?I won't need a crossover cable in that case... ??Do wireless network adapters essentially act as a switch between the two boxes?RhettAMD 3700+ (@2585 mhz), eVGA 7800GT 256 (Guru3D 93.71), ASUS A8N-E, PC Power 510 SLI, 2gb Corsair XMS 3-3-3-8 (1T), WD 150 gig 10000rpm Raptor, WD 250gig 7200rpm SATA2, Seagate 120gb 5400 rpm external HD, CoolerMaster Praetorian

[Jim Harnes 13]

Ahh.. looks like the info was wrong when I googled the part number.You'll need to set up networking and, for the other programs to talk to FS, see WideFS at Pete Dowson's download site.Jim Harnes

[Kimchoc 1]

Not sure exactly what you are asking. Can you play Fs9 upstairs while your wife surfs downstairs? Of course. Can you be on Fs9 Multiplayer while your wife surfs? Yes, but you may run into some issues as you are sharing the net bandwidth. DSL or cable "lite" might not be enough.I once had 3 wireless clients and two ethernet clients all on my same EECH server with no problems. Can you play Fs9 upstairs and have your wife join and fly on the downstairs Fs9 client?(the ultimate dream depending on who you talk to), eheh. yes, she can.But as far as running companion Fs9 programs from a wireless, I'm not sure as I don't run any myself. But I would guess yes. An IP address is a IP address no matter whether wireless or Ethernet. But some wireless cards are only good for internet protocol transmissions. Meaning that some games may not talk to each other. Usually the good cards like linksys will give no issues.I do recommend assigning a dedicated IP address for each network computer. Thats easily done. The DHCP type of assignments may cause some grief if those companion proggies, like the original poster intends to use, need a permanent one. I just dont have the knowledge to answer that one.Hope that was what you were asking. Once you get the hang of networking its fairly fast to setup a client and have them connecting. The gaming on home netowrk is always smoother as there is hardly any loss of signal(packets). Most all settings between different manufacturers are the same. A DMZ host is a DMZ host. Port forwarding is port forwarding, static IP's are static IP"s.Keep us posted..

[Mike_CFII_MEL 789]

Hi,Well, I have two Ethernet boards in both computers. One of the Ethernet boards for each computer connects directly to the Westell 327W router. Both of these connections are set to auto detect.I have two other Ethernet boards that I want to use to connect both computers so I can run Radar Contact and FlightSim Commander on. Is that possible using a crossover cable? If so, how would I set up the following for these two boards.Computer 1IP address: 192.168.0.?Subnet mask:255.255.255.0Default gateway:192.168.0.?Computer 2IP address: 192.168.0.?Subnet mask:255.255.255.0Default gateway:192.168.0.?Everything I read said to use the followingComputer 1IP address: 192.168.0.1Subnet mask:255.255.255.0Default gateway:192.168.0.1DNS server: 192.168.0.1Computer 2IP address: 192.168.0.2Subnet mask:255.255.255.0Default gateway:192.168.0.1DNS server: 192.168.0.1I can't use the above because the auto detect Ethernet boards are using 192.168.0.1. Would they get setup like this?IP address: 192.168.0.3Subnet mask:255.255.255.0Default gateway:192.168.0.1DNS server: 192.168.0.1Computer 2IP address: 192.168.0.4Subnet mask:255.255.255.0Default gateway:192.168.0.1DNS server: 192.168.0.1Now, if I do this, will I have to setup the other two Ethernet boards manually as well or can they stay on auto?.Thanks

[Kimchoc 1]

One second. If you are already hooked up to the router, you are networked. You don't need the cable. Copy that?My suggestion on the IP assignments. Assign your flying machine the dedicated number of 198.162.1.5 Assign 192.168.1.6 to the computer you want to run those companion programs. make them both dedicated. Do not let them auto-assign (DHCP).I believe you will find the default gateway(your router) is 192.168.1.1 Check with the router folks on that one.BTW, you can assign those computers to something like 192.168.0.15 and 192.168.0.25. if you want. Some folks keep them very different so as to not confuse them.255.255.255.0 is goodUse the ping cmd to check connection from one computer to the other. If no return, drop the firewalls for just a minute on both and re-try. You should have connection. Then figure out how to allow the firewall to pass comms. That should do it. But like I said, I don't know how Radar contact connects to another computer. Perhaps their forum will sort that out for you. I thought Wideview was for "views". I didn't think it was needed to run those programs you want. But I may be wrong. The above should get you networking.

[Mike_CFII_MEL 789]

Hi,Thanks for the help.So, I setup the following.Computer 1 (Flight Sim Computer)IP address: 198.162.0.1 Subnet mask: 255.255.255.0Default gateway: 192.168.0.1DNS server: 192.168.0.1Computer 2IP address: 192.168.0.2Subnet mask: 255.255.255.0Default gateway: 192.168.0.1DNS server: 192.168.0.1Make both dedicated and ping.The flight sim computers cmd would be: ping 192.168.0.2and the other computers cmd would be: ping 198.162.0.1Is this correct?.

[Mike_CFII_MEL 789]

Hi,OK, I can now ping between both computers.I Get the following when I ping from both computers.Computer 1Reply from 192.168.0.1 bytes=32 time<1ms TTL=128Reply from 192.168.0.1 bytes=32 time<1ms TTL=128Reply from 192.168.0.1 bytes=32 time<1ms TTL=128Reply from 192.168.0.1 bytes=32 time<1ms TTL=128Ping statistics for 192.168.0.1: Packets: Sent = 4, Received = 4, Lost = 0 <0% loss),Approximate round trip times in mili-seconds: Minimum = 0ms, Maxium = 0ms, Average = 0msComputer 2Reply from 192.168.0.2 bytes=32 time<1ms TTL=128Reply from 192.168.0.2 bytes=32 time<1ms TTL=128Reply from 192.168.0.2 bytes=32 time<1ms TTL=128Reply from 192.168.0.2 bytes=32 time<1ms TTL=128Ping statistics for 192.168.0.2: Packets: Sent = 4, Received = 4, Lost = 0 <0% loss),Approximate round trip times in mili-seconds: Minimum = 0ms, Maxium = 0ms, Average = 0ms Am I done?. Do I install Wide Client next?.BTW: Thanks for all the help!