Exercise 1: Overview of Windows Networking

Note: These instructions were written on a computer running Microsoft Windows Millenium and may not work exactly as written for your computer. Most of the computers in the UMU BSc Computer Lab are running Windows 2000 and have security restrictions which prevent you from modifying many settings.

General: What to Do How to Do It
Open the UMU Intranet home page
  1. Double-click Internet Explorer (or run the Netscape Navigator browser)
  2. If necessary, select or type in the URL http://home.umu.ac.ug/
Set your browser to start with the UMU Intranet home page
  1. Make sure you are at the UMU Intranet home page
  2. Click the Tools menu and select Internet Options
  3. Click the General tab, click the Use Current button, click OK
Open the Data Communications and Networks course web site
  1. Go to the UMU Intranet home page
  2. Click Courses Online and click Data Communications and Networks
    OR: type in the URL http://home.umu.ac.ug/dcn/
Open these instructions
  1. Go to the Data Communications and Networks course web site
  2. Click Exercises
  3. Click Exercise 1
Open and close My Computer
  1. Double-click My Computer on the desktop
  2. Click the File menu and click Close
Open Windows Explorer
  1. Click Start, Programs, Accessories, Windows Explorer
    OR: Right-click My Computer on the desktop
Network Neighborhood: What to Do How to Do It
Open Network Neighborhood
  1. Double-click Network Neighborhood or My Network Places
    (on the Desktop or within My Computer or Windows Explorer)
View shared files, folders and printers on other computers
  1. Double-click Entire Network
  2. Double-click Microsoft Windows Network (if shown)
  3. Double-click a workgroup to view computers in the workgroup
  4. Double-click a computer to view its shared folders and printers
  5. Double-click a folder and then double-click a folder or file inside it
  6. Observe the full path to the shared folders in the Address bar
    (If you do not see it, click View, Folder Options, View, Display full path in the address bar)
Map a network drive
  1. In Windows Explorer, click Tools and click Map Network Drive
    OR: Right-click My Computer or My Network Places and click Map Network Drive
  2. In the Drive: menu, select an unused drive letter e.g. Z: or F:
  3. In the Path: menu, type the path to the shared folder (\\computername\foldername)
  4. Click OK. If everything is working, you should see a new drive letter appear in My Computer.
  5. Double-click the 
Share a folder or disk on your computer
  1. Right-click a folder or drive (but not My Documents or the floppy drive) and click Sharing.
    If Sharing is not listed, you may need to enable file and print sharing (Network control panel). Windows XP uses Sharing and Security.
    Note: Your network administrator may have disabled file and/or printer sharing. 
  2. Click Shared As (in Windows 98) or Share this folder (in Windows 2000/XP). 
    You can change the share name and add a comment but this is generally unnecessary.
  3. In Windows 98, select an access type (Read-Only, Full, or Depends on Password).
    Type read-only and/or full access passwords (twice) if necessary. Click OK.
  4. In Windows 2000, click the Permissions button.
    Select which users to allow or deny use of the folder. Everyone is selected by default.
    You can allow or deny others to read or change documents or have full control.
    There is also a Security tab which controls local (non-networked) use of the file.
  5. In Windows XP, you can click the checkbox to "Allow network users to change my files".
Share your printer
  1. Right-click a printer and click Sharing.
  2. Click Shared As (in Windows 98) or Share this printer (in Windows 2000/XP).
  3. Type a share name that uniquely identifies the printer by its make and model (e.g. HPLaserJet1200) or location (BScLab). Click OK.
Add a networked printer
  1. Open the Printers control panel and double-click Add Printer.
  2. Indicate that the printer is a networked printer.
  3. Find the printer in the Network Neighborhood.
  4. You may need to install drivers for the printer.
User Communication Tools: What to Do How to Do It
Use the winpopup tool (Windows 98 only)
  1. Click Start, click Run, type winpopup and click OK.
  2. Someone else must do the same before you can communicate.
Start and configure the NetMeeting tool
  1. Find and start Net Meeting.
    It may be in the Programs or Accessories menus or a sub-menu such as Communications or Internet.
    or Click Start, click Run, type "C:\Program Files\NetMeeting\CONF.EXE" (including quotes) and click OK.
  2. You may be asked for some directory information.
    Type first name, last name and e-mail address.
    Location and comments may be helpful to other users.
  3. In the Directory box, type "Network (TCP/IP)" (without quotes).
  4. Ignore messages saying the directory server could not be found.
  5. Someone else must start NetMeeting (all steps above) to communicate with you.
  6. To place a call, click the telephone icon and type the name of the computer of the recipient.
Use NetMeeting Chat
  1. Click Tools, Chat.
  2. Type a message in the Message window.
  3. Select recipient from the Send To menu.
    (You can send a private message to one person or send to everyone in the conference.)
  4. Click the Send Message button.
  5. Explore other features (saving, copy and paste, options, etc.)
Use NetMeeting Whiteboard
  1. Click Tools, Whiteboard.
  2. Draw using the pen, highlighter, line, rectangle, ellipse, text, colours, etc.
  3. Move shapes using the selector. Erase shapes using the eraser. 
  4. Select multiple objects to move and erase.
  5. Point to something using the Remote Pointer. Start an extra page.
  6. What do the Lock Contents and Synchronize buttons do? View Help for an explanation.
Use NetMeeting Sharing
  1. Click Tools, Sharing.
  2. Select a running program to share, or share the desktop. View a shared program or desktop.
  3. Allow another person to control your desktop or application, and control theirs.