In this article, we are going to learn how to setup a LAN connection to connect between two different computers, one having Windows 7 Operating System and another having Ubuntu 12.04 LTS Operating System (debian linux) – by Peer to Peer (P2P) Network. If one machine have 32 bit and another with 64 bit, it won’t be matter as its has been fully tested by me. To make a LAN connection between two computers, its recommended to use a crossover cable as come older Network Interface Cards (NIC) doesn’t support straight cable if two computers are directly connected through it.
What we need
- Two computers with Windows 8 and Ubuntu 12.04 operating system respectively (or vice-versa)
- A crossover LAN cable
On computer 1
- Go to properties of This PC (Win+Pause) > Advanced system settings > Computer Name tab.
- Press the Change button.
- Let’s name it PC1, choose Member of to WORKGROUP and press OK and restart computer.
Computer Name and Workgroup on – Windows 8 PC1 - Go to Control Panel > Network and Sharing Center > Change Adapter Settings > open properties of the LAN adapter.
- Select Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) > click on Properties > select Use the following IP address
- Set IP address: 192.168.1.2, Subnet mask: 255.255.255.0, Default gateway: blank, DNS: blank
Computer Name and Workgroup on – Windows 8 PC1 - Press OK.
HomeGroup & File and Printer sharing settings
HomeGroup Settings
- Open Control Panel > Network and Sharing Center >View your active networks > Note the network profile (below the network name).
Windows 8 – Network and Sharing Center - Open Control Panel > HomeGroup > Change advanced sharing settings… > Choose the network profile.
- Select Turn on/off network discovery as required.
- Select Turn on file and printer sharing.
- Open All Networks.
- Select Turn on sharing so anyone with network access can read and write files in the public folders.
- Select Turn on/off password protected sharing as required.
Windows 8 – HomGroup Settings - Press Save changes button.
On computer 2
- To change computer’s name, open Terminal (Alt+CTRL+T) > type sudo gedit /etc/hostname > change the current name to PC2 > Save (CTRL+S) and close the gedit > restart the computer.
- Now again open Terminal > type sudo gedit /etc/hosts in the terminal and change the second line as below > save and close.
127.0.0.1 localhost
127.0.0.1 PC2
- To change WORKGROUP, open Terminal (Alt+CTRL+T) > type sudo gedit /etc/samba/smb.conf > set worgroup = WROKGROUP under Global Settings.
- Go to System Settings > Network > Wired > Options > IPv4 Settings > Method: Manual > press Add button.
- Set Address: 192.168.0.2, Netmask: 255.255.255.0, Gateway: blank > press Save…
File and Printer sharing settings on both computers
File sharing
- To share files and directories, we need package Samba installed.
- To install Samba, Open Terminal (Alt+CTRL+T) >type sudo apt-get update > hit enter.
- Now type sudo apt-get install samba (needs internet else install manually using dpkg command).
- To share, right click on any directory that we want to share > Sharing Options > Check Share this folder.
- To allow read-write access check Allow others to create and delete… option.
- To allow guest access check Guest access option.
- Press Create Share button.
- The shared folder will be visible to opposite computer’s Files > Browse Network.
Printer Sharing
- Open System Settings > Printers > right click on the printer > check Shared.
Please check the parent article for more information on computer networking: http://w3epic.com/connect-win-xp-win-7-win-8-server-2008-ubuntu-with-each-others
Need help, just leave a comment – I’ll be back to you.
Thanks.