Create a Wireless Home File Sharing Network

Introduction

A DHCP capable wireless router can be used as a wireless media 'server'. Each PC can see each other's sharable folders. Music, video and pictures can be streamed from the main PC via the router to any authorized PC/laptop etc in the house.

Steps

For a full-blown file sharing network with easy access straight from boot up, the following five steps are required:

1. Workgroups
2. Sharing Folders
3. Configuring Firewalls
4. Mapping Network Drives
5. Customized O/S's

1. Workgroups

Configure all PC's to belong to the same workgroup. This streamlines access issues.

• Under {Control Panel / System / Computer Name / Change} set the workgroup to a useful name like HOME_NETWORK.

2. Share Folders

To share folders you need to access the folder properties and do two things.

• Under the Sharing tab click {SHARE THIS FOLDER}
• Under the Sharing tab also click {PERMISSIONS} and choose the permissions level. This is only necessary if you want remote admin privileges.

You do not need to edit the properties of sub-folders, the root-folder is sufficient. For security, only share a limited number of folders and definitely no system ones.

3. Configure Firewalls

Each respective firewall must allow the other PC access to the shared folders. There are two ways:

• Ensure that the Router DHCP setting is {AUTO}. Configure each firewall {TRUSTED NETWORKS}, or equivalent, to the private range issue eg 192.168.1.2 - 192.168.1.254
• Ensure that the Router DHCP setting is {MANUAL}. AT each PC, under properties for {Wireless Network Connections}, click the properties for {INTERNET PROTOCOL TCP/IP}. Enter a unique IP eg 192.168.1.X where X= 2 to 254

Configure each firewall {TRUSTED NETWORKS}, or equivalent, to allow access inbound/outbound to the other PC unique IP address. This is slightly more secure from casual poking especially if X is midrange.

Important: For security reasons, ensure that you are using maximum WPA encryption on your router.

4. Mapping Network Drives

It is always handy to map a drive letter to the shared folder on another PC.

• Open Windows Explorer
• Under {MY NETWORK PLACES / ENTIRE NETWORK / MICROSOFT WINDOWS NETWORK} click the workgroup eg HOME_NETWORK and select the PC of interest and click the shared folder required.
• Map that folder to a drive letter via TOOLS / MAP NETWORK DRIVE
• If you wish you may tick the choice for {Reconnect on Logon}

5. Customized O/S's

If you have {FILE & PRINTER SERVICES} and {CLIENT FOR MICROSOFT NETWORKS} installed, then ignore the following:

Rarely, the advanced user may have deliberately installed a custom streamlined version of windows, without some services that would have merely bloated the OS.

• Under {MY NETWORK PLACES} click the properties for {Wireless Network Connections}.
• Select {FILE AND PRINTER SHARING FOR MICROSOFT NETWORKS} and click {INSTALL}.
• Under {MY NETWORK PLACES} click the properties for {Wireless Network Connections}.
• Tick the box for {FILE AND PRINTER SHARING FOR MICROSOFT NETWORKS} and click {INSTALL}.

Do similarly with {CLIENT FOR MICROSOFT NETWORKS}

When Qos are usefull

QoS is useless if you don't have programs that use it. 99.9% of the usual software doesn't use it. Practically - if you don't know you have to install it you don't need it.