Windows XP Networking Myths
There are lots of good sources for
Windows networking information. And despite all the great web
sites, Usenet news groups, books, friends, and colleagues
available to help out, not everyone gets it all right.
Here are some common beliefs about Windows networking that just
aren’t true. You’ll probably run into some of them as you look
for help with your Windows XP network. Don’t let your
troubleshooting get sidetracked by them.
Misconception: Windows networking
requires the NetBEUI protocol.
Fact: Nothing in Windows networking has ever required NetBEUI.
All network functions are available using TCP/IP.
Explanation : Windows 95 installs NetBEUI by default, so some
people think that it's required. You can remove NetBEUI and use
a different protocol in Windows 95. All later versions of
Windows install TCP/IP by default.
Misconception: The NetBEUI protocol
isn’t available in Windows XP.
Fact: You can install NetBEUI from the Windows XP CD-ROM. See
Windows XP Network Protocols for details.
Explanation : NetBEUI is an unsupported protocol in Windows XP.
That doesn’t mean that it won’t work. It means that Microsoft
recommends not using it, and that they won’t provide technical
support if you have problems with it.
Misconception: Windows 95 can't read
a shared disk on another networked computer if the disk uses the
FAT32 or NTFS file system. Windows 95/98/Me can't read a shared
disk on another networked computer if the disk uses the NTFS
file system.
Fact: The file system of a shared disk is irrelevant. Every
computer knows how to read its own disk and make its contents
available to other computers over the network.
Explanation : The original release of Windows 95 can't read a
FAT32 partition on its own local hard disk. Windows 95/98/Me
can't read an NTFS partition on their own local hard disks.
These restrictions don’t apply to networked disk access.
Misconception: It isn't safe to use
TCP/IP for file sharing on a local area network, because other
Internet users will be able to see your files.
Fact : TCP/IP is unsafe only when all of these statements are
true:
The computers are connected to a hub or switch, and a DSL or
cable modem is connected to the uplink port.
Each computer receives its own public IP address from your
Internet service provider.
There's no hardware or software firewall blocking outside
access.
In that case, use NWLink IPX/SPX or NetBEUI for file sharing and
un-bind file sharing from TCP/IP.
Your network is isolated from the Internet, and it's safe to use
TCP/IP for file and printer sharing, in these common
configurations:
All of the computers connect to the Internet through a hardware
router.
One computer has an Internet connection and shares it with the
other computers using a program such as Microsoft's Internet
Connection Sharing.
Misconception: A network with Windows
XP Home Edition can have a maximum of 5 computers. A network
with Windows XP Professional can have a maximum of 10 computers.
Fact: There’s no limit to the number of computers that can be
connected to a network.
Explanation: Windows XP Home Edition allows a maximum of 5 other
computers to access its shared disks and folders simultaneously.
Windows XP Professional allows a maximum of 10 other computers
to access its shared disks and folders simultaneously.
Misconception: Un-install the Qos
Packet Scheduler component in your network connections. It
reserves 20% of the available bandwidth for XP’s own use and
slows down your network and Internet access.
Fact : Windows XP doesn’t reserve any
bandwidth for itself. 100% of the bandwidth is available for
programs that you run. See the Microsoft Knowledge Base article
Windows XP Quality of Service (QoS) Enhancements and Behavior
for more information.
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