How can we make Windows XP network between two windows XP computers at home? There are two conditions must exist in order both computers to communicate each other using TCP/IP protocol. TCP/IP protocol is the default setting for windows XP networking.
Windows XP network needs to have both unique IP and the same subnet for communication via a UTP cross cable. Remember to use UTP cross cable for back to back direct connection. But if you connect both computers via a switch (8 ports or 12 ports, or 24 ports Switch), you have to use UTP straight through cable. Check more detail about Network cable here to help understand network cabling for your XP networking.
Microsoft provides powerful Windows XP which is client side operating system. Windows XP is divided into two types based on the operational purposes:
- Windows XP-home which is suitable for home user
- Windows XP professional which is used for business computer networking
Windows XP Network Connection
Have a look at the above diagram, the UTP cross cable configuration connecting both Windows XP network has pin assignment crossed between pin 1 and pin 3 and between pin 2 and pin 6. But you can purchase already made UTP cross cable available at the computer store for your XP networking.
What about the IP addresses?
By default windows XP set the TCP/IP property to “obtain the IP address automatically”. If windows XP network connect to the DHCP server in the networking environment, the IP address will be received from the DHCP server. But if DHCP server is not available, windows XP networking will receive the IP address automatically using APIPA addresses (Automatic Private IP Addressing). APIPA is the private IP address not available in the public Internet and not routable to the internet.
The APIPA IP addresses range is 169.254.0.1 until 169.254.255.254, so if DHCP server is not available the windows XP network will receive the IP addresses in this IP address range.
What if the IP addresses are not received from the APIPA automatically? If this case happens, you need to set the IP address manually with fix IP address. Refer to the previous article about networking computers at home, to help you locate and open the LAN connection.
Set the General property to “Use the following IP address:” and type in the following information:
IP address: 192.168.0.10 (you can select the unique IP in the range of private IP address 192.168.0.0 – 192.168.255.254 that is not used by the other computers)
Subnet mask: 255.255.0.0 and leave the Default gateway empty.
Click OK and then your XP networking should be able to connect each other. This should work, and you can connect the two windows XP network and communicate each other using UTP cross cable.
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