Configuring TCP/IP

From the previous step, Setting Up TCP/IP, you should have a list of machine names and IP addresses. With that list, go to each machine and follow these procedures.

On an open network, such as those in many large corporations, do not alter IP addresses, machine names, workgroup names, or domain names in any way. In such cases, to avoid potentially disastrous consequences, always work with your system administrator to make IP address changes.

Next Step

Setting Up Rendering Software

Procedures

Some of the following procedures are for Windows XP Professional; others are for Windows 2000. Find your operating system at the end of the procedure heading and follow that set of instructions.

Note: During the writing of these procedures, Windows XP was set to display a Classic Windows interface.

To assign a name and workgroup or domain (Windows 2000):

  1. From the Windows taskbar, open Start menu Settings Control Panel System.

    This displays the System Properties dialog.

  2. Click the Network Identification tab, and then click the Properties button to display the Identification Changes dialog.

    If you've already assigned a name to the computer, the name should appear in the Computer Name field on the Network Identification tab. Check this name against your list.

  3. To change the name, in the Computer Name field, enter a name for the machine.
    • The first character of a valid machine/host name must not be a numeral.
    • Do not use underscores or spaces in the machine/host name.
  4. In the Member Of group, enter either a workgroup or domain name, depending on how your network is going to be set up.
    Workgroup

    An organizational unit that is used to group computers that don't belong to a domain. If you are setting up a simple network for the purpose of Network Rendering, use the Workgroup option.

    Domain

    A more complex way of grouping servers that share a common security policy and user account database. A domain requires you to set up a Primary Domain controller. You should select the Domain option only if your Network Administrator has a Domain already set up and functioning correctly.

To assign a name and workgroup or domain (Windows XP):

  1. From the Windows taskbar, open Start menu Settings Control Panel System.

    This displays the System Properties dialog.

  2. Click the Computer Name tab, and then click the Change button to display the Computer Name Change dialog.

    If you've already assigned a name to the computer, the name should appear in the Computer Name field on the Computer Name tab. Check this name against your list.

  3. To change the name, in the Computer Name field, enter a name for the machine.
    • The first character of a valid machine/host name must not be a numeral.
    • Do not use underscores or spaces in the machine/host name.
  4. In the Member Of group, enter either a workgroup or domain name, depending on how your network is going to be set up.
    Workgroup

    An organizational unit that is used to group computers that don't belong to a domain. If you are setting up a simple network for the purpose of Network Rendering, use the Workgroup option.

    Domain

    A more complex way of grouping servers that share a common security policy and user account database. A domain requires you to set up a Primary Domain controller. You should select the Domain option only if your Network Administrator has a Domain already set up and functioning correctly.

To add the TCP/IP protocol (Windows 2000):

  1. From the Windows taskbar, open Start menu Settings Network and Dial-up Connections Local Area Connection.

    This opens the Local Area Connection Status dialog.

  2. Click the Properties button.

    This opens the Local Area Connection Properties dialog.

  3. Check the list for "Internet Protocol (TCP/IP)".

    If you find this listing, TCP/IP is installed on this machine. Go on to either of these procedures in the current topic:

  4. Click the Install button.

    This opens the Select Network Component Type dialog.

  5. In the list, click Protocol, and then click the Add button.
  6. In the Select Network Protocol dialog, select Internet Protocol (TCP/IP), and then click OK.

    A message appears: "Do you want to use DHCP?". Consult your system administrator to see if your network is DHCP-compatible; if it is, click "Yes". If you are unsure, click "No" and proceed to set your workstations with fixed IP addresses.

    TCP/IP is added to the list of installed protocols.

  7. Click the Close button.

To add the TCP/IP protocol (Windows XP):

  1. From the Windows taskbar, open Start menu Settings Network Connections.

    This opens the Network Connections dialog.

  2. Right-click Local Area Connection and click the Properties button.

    This opens the Local Area Connection Properties dialog.

  3. Check the list for "Internet Protocol (TCP/IP)".

    If you find this listing, TCP/IP is installed on this machine. Go on to either of these procedures in the current topic:

  4. Click the Install button.

    This opens the Select Network Component Type dialog.

  5. In the list, click Protocol, and then click the Add button.
  6. In the Select Network Protocol dialog, select Internet Protocol (TCP/IP), and then click OK.

    A message appears: "Do you want to use DHCP?". Consult your system administrator to see if your network is DHCP-compatible; if it is, click "Yes". If you are unsure, click "No" and proceed to set your workstations with fixed IP addresses.

    TCP/IP is added to the list of installed protocols.

  7. Click the Close button.

To configure TCP/IP in DHCP mode (Windows 2000):

  1. From the Windows taskbar, open Start menu Settings Network and Dial-up Connections Local Area Connection.

    This opens the Local Area Connection Status dialog.

  2. Click the Properties button.

    This opens the Local Area Connection Properties dialog. You should see your network adapter card listed as "Connect Using" at the top of this dialog. If your adapter is not listed, follow the instructions in Windows 2000 documentation on adapter setup.

  3. In the list, highlight Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) and click Properties.

    The Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) Properties dialog appears.

  4. Make sure the option "Obtain an IP address automatically" is chosen.
  5. Click OK to close each dialog in turn.

    Windows 2000 finishes configuring the connection.

  6. Reboot the computer to complete the configuration.
  7. Repeat all the steps on this page on every machine in your network.

To configure TCP/IP in DHCP mode (Windows XP):

  1. From the Windows taskbar, open Start menu Settings Network Connections.

    This opens the Network Connections dialog.

  2. Right-click Local Area Connection and click the Properties button.

    This opens the Local Area Connection Properties dialog. You should see your network adapter card listed as "Connect Using" at the top of this dialog. If your adapter is not listed, follow the instructions in Windows XP documentation on adapter setup.

  3. In the list, highlight Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) and click Properties.

    The Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) Properties dialog appears.

  4. Make sure the option "Obtain an IP address automatically" is chosen.
  5. Click OK to close each dialog in turn.

    Windows XP finishes configuring the connection.

  6. Reboot the computer to complete the configuration.
  7. Repeat all the steps on this page on every machine in your network.

To configure TCP/IP with fixed IP addresses (Windows 2000):

  1. From the Windows taskbar, open Start menu Settings Network and Dial-up Connections Local Area Connection.

    This opens the Local Area Connection Status dialog.

  2. Click the Properties button.

    This opens the Local Area Connection Properties dialog. You should see your network adapter card listed as "Connect Using" at the top of this dialog. If your adapter is not listed, follow the instructions in Windows 2000 documentation on adapter setup.

  3. In the list, highlight Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) and click Properties.

    The Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) Properties dialog appears.

  4. Choose “Use The Following IP Address”.
  5. In the box for IP Address, enter the address for that machine.

    Check your list to make sure the entry is correct.

  6. In the box for Subnet Mask, type these numbers (these are the same for every machine):

    255.255.255.0

    If you are on a large corporate network, this subnet mask might be different. In this case, use the mask that your network administrator specified. Also, change the network mask when setting up a server to connect to a manager as well as in the Network Job Assignment dialog to match the subnet mask in order for Automatic Search to work.

  7. Click OK to close each dialog in turn.

    Windows 2000 finishes configuring the connection.

  8. Reboot the computer to complete the configuration.
  9. Repeat all the steps on this page on every machine in your network.

    Remember that each machine needs to have a unique IP Address and machine name so no conflicts arise.

To configure TCP/IP with fixed IP addresses (Windows XP):

  1. From the Windows taskbar, open Start menu Settings Network Connections.

    This opens the Network Connections dialog.

  2. Right-click Local Area Connection and click the Properties button.

    This opens the Local Area Connection Properties dialog. You should see your network adapter card listed as "Connect Using" at the top of this dialog. If your adapter is not listed, follow the instructions in Windows 2000 documentation on adapter setup.

  3. In the list, highlight Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) and click Properties.

    The Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) Properties dialog appears.

  4. Choose “Use The Following IP Address”.
  5. In the box for IP Address, enter the address for that machine.

    Check your list to make sure the entry is correct.

  6. In the box for Subnet Mask, type these numbers (these are the same for every machine):

    255.255.255.0

    If you are on a large corporate network, this subnet mask might be different. In this case, use the mask that your network administrator specified. Also, change the network mask when setting up a server to connect to a manager as well as in the Network Job Assignment dialog to match the subnet mask in order for Automatic Search to work.

  7. Click OK to close each dialog in turn.

    Windows XP finishes configuring the connection.

  8. Reboot the computer to complete the configuration.
  9. Repeat all the steps on this page on every machine in your network.

    Remember that each machine needs to have a unique IP Address and machine name so no conflicts arise.

Parent topic: System Setup