Best protocol for Home LAN (3 PCs)

[Variable]

Since I'm using ICS to connect all PCs to the Internet I will hav to have TCP/IP installed anyway.

Does it have any benefits to install a second protocol (I heared NetBeui is the fastest for small Networks).
Right now I have Win2K on 1 System and the others are running WinME!
So should I install an additional protocol like NetBeui or IPX/SPX or should I leave TCP/IP alone?

[CrmDcoco]

For a network not connected to the Internet...Netbooey :-) is the choice

For routing to the Internet TCP/IP is the choice, just leave it be

[Fingers]

As much as I like NetBEUI, you can't use it with ICS... I just have a modem in each computer.

[rockjockjared]

use IPX with frame type 802.3 This is what I'm using behind my cable modem. You can also use TCP/IP if you setup each of the NICs to have their own static IP address, then just allow the modems to connect normally and everything will be fine.

hope that helped!
rockjockjared

[kwebb]

NetBEUI. Bind that to file sharing and make sure TCP/IP is not bound to file sharing.

[Variable]

So I should use TCP/IP for ICS and Netbooey ;-) for file sharing?

That's what I had before I installed Win2K on one of the Systems and I wasn't sure if it is really faster than TCP/IP (for Filesharing).

[CrmDcoco]

You got it...

NetBEUI wont work with ICS becasue it is not a routing protocol, but you can use it to transfer files across the local network


Michael

[Loveless]

why load extra protocal? just use tcp/ip, if you have a server add dhcp service then set a scope

[DanU]

Mainly for security. Hackers outside your network can't access file and print sharing if it's bound to NetBEUI instead of TCP/IP. But you're still vulnerable to stuff like backorifice. You're also still vulnerable to internal hackers and curious snoopers. Imagine your boss snooping on your computer and reading an email that your wrote about him.. uh oh!

On my own computers I use TCP/IP for everything and put a password on my shares.

[Loveless]

hm... i check my boss's email, not the other way around.
i personally use tcp/ip at home, linked up to 4 computer. i am not really bothered to be hacked, i guess i have not learned my lesson yet. and yes I do put a complicated password share on everything.

should I be worried? is there a need to setup monitoring programs?

[Fingers]

There's some interesting reading on internet security at http://grc.com/default.htm

Here's their FAQ (http://grc.com/faq-shieldsup.htm) which includes a section about Network Bondage (http://grc.com/su-bondage.htm) (read the first page in this section then click on your Windows version under the heading "Lets Do It")

[Loveless]

Port
Service
Status Security Implications



21
FTP
Stealth! There is NO EVIDENCE WHATSOEVER that a port (or even any computer) exists at this IP address!

23
Telnet
Stealth! There is NO EVIDENCE WHATSOEVER that a port (or even any computer) exists at this IP address!

25
SMTP
Closed Your computer has responded that this port exists but is currently closed to connections.

79
Finger
Closed Your computer has responded that this port exists but is currently closed to connections.

80
HTTP
Stealth! There is NO EVIDENCE WHATSOEVER that a port (or even any computer) exists at this IP address!

110
POP3
Closed Your computer has responded that this port exists but is currently closed to connections.

113
IDENT
Closed Your computer has responded that this port exists but is currently closed to connections.

139
Net
BIOS
Closed Your computer has responded that this port exists but is currently closed to connections.

143
IMAP
Closed Your computer has responded that this port exists but is currently closed to connections.

443
HTTPS
Closed Your computer has responded that this port exists but is currently closed to connections.

[elroy]

LOVELESS,
If you have cable or DSL access you better get a firewall such as Zone Alarm.

[Kuasimodem]

I get this reply for every port when I use GRC's port probe (DI-707 gateway/firewall/7 port switch)...

Stealth! There is NO EVIDENCE WHATSOEVER that a port (or even any computer) exists at this IP address!

Hardware is the best way to go for cable or DSL.