Arsi University
College of Natural and Computational Science
Department of Computer Science
Under graduate Program
Data communication and Computer Networking (CoSc2o32)
Abdi M. (M.sc)
Lab Lecture Two
Creating Peer to Peer Network
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What Does File Sharing Mean?
File sharing is the act of sharing one or more computer files
over a network with someone in the same house, a team
member at work, or a friend in another country. You can
also use file sharing to access your files from anywhere .
File sharing is a multipurpose computer service feature
that evolved from removable media via network protocols,
such as File Transfer Protocol (FTP).
You can share files over a local network in an office or at
home, or you can share files over the internet.
Note. File sharing isn't the same as network sharing. To
share a file is to send it to another device such as a
computer or phone. Network sharing shares a network
connection so that nearby devices can access network
resources. Several programs allow you to
share an internet connection.
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Types of File Sharing
There are two ways to share files over a
network: directly between two computers or
between a computer and a server.
When a file is shared between a computer
and a server, the computer uploads the file
to a storage area on the server where you
can share it with others. People that want
access to the file download it from that
server.
When a file is shared between two
computers over a network, the file is sent
directly to the other person. This is often
called peer-to-peer (P2P) file sharing and
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1. What is a peer-to-peer network?
In this lab you will learn how to connect two
computers directly to each other. This is the simplest
network you can Imagine.
The network having two directly computers connected
is called peer to peer network.
In peer-to-peer (P2P) networking, a group of
computers are linked together with equal permissions
and responsibilities for processing data.
Unlike traditional client-server networking, no devices
in a P2P network are designated solely to serve or to
receive data.
Each connected machine has the same rights as its
“peers”, and can be used for the same purposes.
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I. Equipment/Tools
Two computers having Windows and LAN Cards installed,
one Cross-Over cable with appropriate length.
II. Procedure
Step 1.
Identify the proper Ethernet cable and connect the two
PC’s. Make sure that you are using the crossover cable
constructed in the previous lab.
Turn off both the computers. Attach one end of the cable in
the Network Interface Card (NIC or LAN card) of one
computer and the other end in the NIC of the other
computer.
Step 2.
Plug in and turn on the computers. To verify the computer
connections, ensure that the link lights on both NICs are lit.
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Step 3.
Be sure to record the existing IP settings of both the
computers, so that you can restore them ate end of the
lab. The IP setting information includes IP address,
subnet mask, default gateway and the DNS server
information.
Step 4.
Perform on both computers. Click Start>Control
Panel> Network Connection. Select the Local Area
Network Connection and click Change Settings of
This Connection on the left side window. You will see a
figure showing the properties related to this connection.
Step 5.
Select Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) from the list and
click the properties button. You will see a figure as
shown in the following figure.
Step 6.
Set the IP address information for each of the PC. This
information will be provided to you by the instructor.
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Step 7.
Verify that the two computers can
communicate. Use ping commands.
Step 8.
Restore the actual settings of both the
computers you have recorded at the start of
the lab.
You can share files, folders, printers and
dialup network connection among these two
computers.
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2. Sharing Files between Windows OSs
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Part 1: Enable File Sharing on Windows
10
You can turn on file and printer sharing to
allow other users to access the files and
printers that you have shared on your
computer in Windows 10.
Step 1. Open Control Panel, select View
network status and tasks under Network
and Internet.
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Step 2. Click Change advanced sharing settings
on the left of Network and Sharing Center panel.
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Step 3. Select Turn on file and printer sharing and then
click the Save changes button to keep the changes.
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Step 4: Note
Ensure that you can connect to the other
PC.
Ping each other to see if you are both
connected to the same server.
Step 5: Accessing the File
On the 2nd PC, open file explorer.
Go to network.
Your file should be there.
Be the First to Share
Did you make this project? Share it with us!
I Made It!
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Part 2: Share Files by File Explorer
How to set up file sharing on windows 10?
File Explorer is the most convenient and efficient
tool to share files on Windows 10 due to the reason
that you can use more restrictive permissions and
share files with almost any device.
Setting up file sharing on windows 10 by File
Explorer allows you to use the basic settings or the
advanced settings. No matter which option you
take, you should complete the following three
steps at first.
Step 1. Open File Explorer and go to the file or folder
that you want to share.
Step 2. Right click the folder and choose Properties.
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Step 3. In the Document Properties panel,
select Sharing tab.
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1. Share Files by Sharing Properties
Step 1. Click the Sharing button under the Sharing
tab.
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Step 2. Go to Choose people to share with to select the user or group,
and then click Add.
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Step 3. Select a type of Permission Level, and
then click Share button.
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Step 4. Note the file sharing network path,
click the Done button, and then close the
Document Properties panel.
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2. Share Files by Advanced Sharing
Step 1. Click the Advanced Sharing button under
the Sharing tab.
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Step 2. Check Share this folder and click Permissions to set
permissions for the folder.
Step 3. Check the Read and Change permissions under Allow if
you want users to be able to edit the files, delete, and create new
documents in the location, click Apply and then click OK button.
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3. Share Files with a Specific User
Step 1. Back to Step 2 of Share Files by Advanced Sharing,
select Group or User Names that you have selected before and
then click Remove button.
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Step 2. Click the Add button, type the name of
the user you want to share the files with, click
the Check Name button, and then click the OK
button.
Step 3. Repeat the Step 3 of Share Files by
Advanced Sharing. 02/05/2025 27
Part 3: Set up Network File Sharing by Share to
You can follow the following 5 steps to set up file sharing
Windows 10:
Step 1. Open File Explorer and navigate to the file that you
want to share.
Step 2. Right click the file, select Share with and then click
Specific people.
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Step 3. Type a name or click the arrow to find
someone to choose people share with, and then
click Add.
Step 4. Click the arrow of Permission Level to
choose one type that you desire, and then click
Share button.
Step 5. Click the Done button to end this operation
in the next window. 02/05/2025 29
3. Building a Switched based
Network
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Objective
Create a simple network with two PCs using a switch
Identify the proper cable to connect the PCs to the switch
Configure workstation IP address information
Test connectivity using the ping command
Background / Preparation
This lab focuses on the ability to connect two PCs to create a simple
switch-based Ethernet LAN using two workstations.
In this lab you will learn how to connect two or more than two
computers in a Local Area Network (LAN) environment.
The computers will be connected to one another via a central controller
called switch (you can use a hub instead
The topology will be star.
A switch is a networking concentration device sometimes referred to as
a multiport bridge.
Switches are relatively inexpensive and easy to install. When operating
in full- duplex mode, they provide dedicated bandwidth to
workstations.
They are appropriate for small to large LANs with moderate to heavy
traffic.
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Equipment/tools required
The following resources will be required:
Two workstations with an Ethernet 10/100 NIC
installed or Three or more computers having
Windows and LAN Cards installed,
Ethernet 10BaseT or Fast Ethernet switch or Layer
2 Switch,
Since this lab uses a switch, a basic Category 5/5e
UTP straight-through cable is needed to connect
each PC to the switch. This is referred to as a
patch cable or horizontal cabling, which is used to
connect workstations and a typical LAN.
Start this lab with the equipment turned off and
with cabling disconnected. Work in teams of two
with one person per PC.
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Procedure
Step 1 . Identify the proper Ethernet cable and connect the
two PCs to the switch
The connection between the two PCs and the switch will be
accomplished using a Category 5 or 5e straight-through patch
cable. Locate two cables that are long enough to reach from
each PC to the switch. Attach one end to the NIC and the other
end to a port on the switch. Be sure to examine the cable ends
carefully and select only a straight-through cable.
Step 2. Verify the physical connection
a. Plug in and turn on the computers. To verify the computer
connections, insure that the link lights on the both PC NICs and the
switch interfaces are lit.
Step 3. Access the IP settings window
Note: Be sure to write down the existing IP settings, so that they
can be restored at the end of the lab. These include IP address,
subnet mask, default gateway, and DNS servers. If the workstation
is a DHCP client, it is not necessary to record this information.
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See below example below:
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Step 4. Configure TCP/IP settings for the two PCs
Set the IP address information for each PC according to the
information in the table.
Note that the default gateway IP address is not required, since
these computers are directly connected. The default gateway
is only required on local area networks that are connected to a
router.
Step 5 . Access the Command or MS-DOS prompt
a. Start menu Command Prompt
Step 6 . Verify that the PCs can communicate
Test connectivity from one PC to the other through the switch
by pinging the IP address of the opposite computer. Use the
following command at the command prompt.
C:>ping 192.168.1.1 (or 192.168.1.2)
Look for results similar to those shown below. If not, check the
PC connections and TCP/IP settings for both PCs.
What was the ping result?
Results could possibly be: Sent=4 Received=3 Lost=1 (this is
due to ARP) Any other results probably indicate an error
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End of Lab Lecture
Two
Any questions so far?
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