Thank you for being a valued part of the CNET community. As of December 1, 2020, the forums are in read-only format. In early 2021, CNET Forums will no longer be available. We are grateful for the participation and advice you have provided to one another over the years.

Thanks,

CNET Support

General discussion

file transfers on LAN

Aug 16, 2004 7:02PM PDT

Hi,

I have recently bought a new laptop and connected it to my desktop computer with a crossover Ethernet cable. The desktop has another NIC which connects to a cable modem. I shared this internet connection using XP's internet connection sharing.

My first question is connected to this matter. I understand that I have to turn the desktop on to access the internet from the notebook, what concerns me is that the internet becomes available on the notebook only after browsing the web or checking the e-mail on the dekstop. Why is this happening? I use Windows XP on both computers and Sysgate Firewall on the desktop.

The second question is: how can I transfer large amount of data between the two computer using LAN? Because the laptop is new, I have to install a great amount of software and copy many documents from the desktop to the laptop. Sharing folders and drives would be the best solution?

Discussion is locked

- Collapse -
Re: file transfers on LAN
Aug 16, 2004 9:24PM PDT

1. " the internet becomes available on the notebook only after browsing the web or checking the e-mail on the dekstop. Why is this happening? "

You configured it to connect on demand. Go check your settings. I don't setup your setup anymore, but use a router so I don't know where the issue may be.

2. " how can I transfer large amount of data between the two computer using LAN? "

Since you have a network, sharing folders is typical. Sharing drives is just sharing the "root" of a drive letter in Windows and doesn't mean you share the drive. Hope you understand the subtle difference.

bob

- Collapse -
Re: file transfers on LAN
Aug 17, 2004 1:21AM PDT

I understand... What do you suggest regarding LAN transfer?

- Collapse -
Re: file transfers on LAN
Aug 17, 2004 9:53AM PDT

You would enable file sharing. Remember that some firewalls disable file sharing in some versions, so you need to ask them about that.

Bob

- Collapse -
Re: file transfers on LAN
Aug 17, 2004 4:05PM PDT

Hi,

Ok, I have enabled file sharing. This step caused me much headache. I have tried to download a large 200 MB file to my laptop, but the speed was only 1,8 MB/s on a 100 Mbps connection. After several hours of cabling a NIC tests I discovered that my Sygate firewall slows down the connection. After disablng it, the speed was 9,9 MB/s which I consider normal for a 100 Mbps connection. I really like Sygate, but I have to replace it. Do the other firewalls slow down lan connections?

- Collapse -
Now you know why I install a router.
Aug 17, 2004 10:14PM PDT

I don't offer any guidance on software firewalls. Maybe the Security Forum here will have someone that will have some view on that?

Bob