Network Help

Ok, this is the page that tells you about network settings. Currently, this deals with "Windows 95" settings only, as that's all I had time for at the moment. If you run NT or Linux, then you should know what you're doing already, and if you're using a Macintosh or Windows 98, then I have no sympathy for you, and you deserve everything you get.

Before I get onto the network settings there's a couple of things people should know...

• We support 10Base-T (UTP) and 10Base2 (COAX) only, so it you have something else, then you're gonna need to find a media transceiver, to use UTP or COAX, because we don't have any.
• No, you may not go on the 100MBit hub. There is no point providing a switched network with a faster backbone and server segment, if we were to then allow people to leech at that speed. If you've previously arranged to bring a server, then no problem, but otherwise, the answer is no.

With that out of the way, on to the network settings. We suggest a fairly basic installation of network, with nothing that you do not need installed.

You will need to play our games...

• Your Network Card Drivers - CORRECTLY INSTALLED. We Suggest NE2000 compatible cards for ease of driver availability, especially if you expect us to help you. If you cannot do this, then it is important that you have the drivers for your network card with you, and that you know the hardware settings of the card, or have the utility to set them. We cannot provide drivers for your particular "BRAND-X" card, and we WILL NOT sit and guess IRQ's, because someone could not be bothered to bring the disk with them.
• IPX/SPX installed - To play peer to peer games, and DOS Games.
• TCP/IP installed - Most new games will use this, and we use this exclusively for Quake Client for Microsoft Networks installed (If you want to browse other people's machines.)

We SUGGEST that you do the following...

• Set your IPX frame type to "Ethernet 802.3". Whilst we have an NT machine present which will set this for you if you leave it set to "auto", we still recommend to do it manually. This way you can be sure everyone is using the same frame type, and 802.3 IS the industry standard. Also, this will help if you have to communicate with a machine running DOS IPX drivers, and as well, some older games simply will not work unless the frame is 802.3.
• Have no drives shared. I hate having my Quake game lagged, because of someone leeching from my drives when I forget to remove all my shared directories. File leeching slows the network down, and it's generally damned inconsiderate, but people will do it if you let them.
• Set your workgroup to FRAG, as this will help you see more machines without hunting around, if you do have cause to copy something.
• Do not have NetBEUI installed. you do not need it, and a properly set up network with IPX/SPX and TCP/IP installed WILL browse the network neighbourhood. With only TCP/IP and IPX installed, your machine will use TCP/IP as it's default protocol, and it will use our NT machine as it's "Master Browser", so you should get the same list in your network neighbourhood as everyone else.

Your setup should end up like this...

With your Computer's ID set like this...

TCP/IP

FRAG uses a fully dynamic DHCP setup, so your windows settings for TCP/IP should be basically to have everything on automatic including the DNS.

The settings for your IP address (TCP/IP Properties) should look like this.

And the settings for your DNS (TCP/IP Properties) should look like this.

IPX/SPX

And to set your IPX/SPX "Frame Type" (IPX/SPX Properties) to "Ethernet 802.3"...

WHAT? You still have a problem?
Then we suggest coming and seeing one of FRAG's exec members, and providing that...

• We are not flat out. (i.e. We have to deal with larger problems first, and your own network setup is your responsibility, before it is ours. )
• You have your shit together, i.e. you've got everything you need, and done everything we've suggested.

Then we will TRY to help you.

Cheers to all - GIBSAW