Share Folders Over Wireless

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I have a home wireless network with a desktop, work pc and an apple. At the moment, the network is only being used for internet connection for all 3 units. Can I set the units up so that they share folders? If so, how?

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The first trick to understanding shared folders over wireless networks, is to throw out the word wireless, and put in wired. Whether your network is wired, wireless, or liquid (has this been invented yet?), the principles are the same.

You’ll want to search through this forum to find all the previous suggestions regarding sharing of folders (and printers) for Windows. As for the Apple computer, maybe Bowlie can help you out (I’m not an Apple user (yet) ).

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Ok, I’ve searched and read. I think there is a bunch of stuff that I know nothing about. I’ve put together a list of things that I need to learn …

– how to share folders (I think I have that under control)
– view shared folders from another pc / mac on the network
– ping the other pc / mac
– ping the router
– view the setup page on the router (is that via the routers IP address?)
– find out all the IP addresses on the network

Any suggested reading?

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To start your reading, I’d suggest looking at any documentation you received with the wireless router. Failing that, look at the website for your router. Almost all your questions will be answered there.

Once that has been completed, read anything you have regarding software firewalls you have installed, and how they interact with MS Windows file sharing.

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Good news – read up on my linksys router and some ‘how to’ web sites and I now have the laptop and the desktop seeing each other’s share files. I did have trouble getting the laptop to edit the desktop files – blocked for some reason – but the use of the word blocked gave me the clue. Once I had given a range of IP address the correct access level in zonealarm – it was smooth sailing.

The main trick is to make sure that the workgroup / domain names are the same – I keep on forgetting that.

There are two outstanding items – do I need to update my routers firmware – the how to I read on that looked scary.

The other outstanding question is how to I network to the ibook – now I have to read its manual.

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I’d say you need to update the routers firmware in the same way you need to keep up to date with drivers for any other hardware such as your video driver. To a great extent, if it ain’t broke, leave it – but updating will likely make it more proof against future issues and thus more robust.

The ‘scary’ part is usually the fact that if it goes wrong, you can end up with no network! Touch wood, I’ve never had any problems updating my (Netgear) router and I think if it was an issue, you would find talk of it in their FAQ or support pages.

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