Networking two computers with the same name.

Question

I have a home network with both Windows 7 and XP computers (5 of them).  One just failed and I bought a new one.  My old brain was not working when I set up the new computer and I gave it the same name as one of the other computers on the network.  The new computer installed itself on my wireless/ethernet network just fine without asking for the access code which was odd since the network is encrypted.  Maybe this is because it had the same name as another computer but I thought they went by addresses not names on networks. 

I do want to make it part of the home network but when I realized what I had done and went in and changed the name of the new computer, it seemed to mess up the wireless/ethernet system for everyone.   I thought I could just get the computer off the network and then sign it back on again, but my wireless network is hidden unless you have the code and I can't find the screen on the Windows 7 machine that lets you look for a new network and add the code.  I have added other computers this way, but the screen seems to have disappeared.     Kathy in Cincinnati

Answer 1

Hi

There is variety of names that involved with Home network.

Some of them are cosmetics, and some very important.

The name of the worlgroup that have to be the same for all computers and the unique name of each computer are a MUST.

It configures here, http://www.ezlan.net/Win7/group_name.jpg

The Wireless works with the name of the Wireless Network, which is called SSID and it, configured in the Router’s Wireless menus.

On home network using variety of computer the SSID must be On and broadcasting. Hiding the SSID is Not a security feature and it destabilizing the wireless network (which is probably what you experience now).

So switch on security and use regular wireless security.

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From the weakest to the strongest, Wireless security capacity is.

No Security

Switching Off SSID (same has No Security. SSID can be easily sniffed even if it is Off)

MAC Filtering______(Band Aid if nothing else is available, MAC number can be easily Spoofed).

WEP64____(Easy, to "Break" by knowledgeable people).

WEP128___(A little Harder, but "Hackable" too).

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The three above are Not considered safe.

Safe Starts here at WPA.

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WPA-PSK__(Very Hard to Break).

WPA-AES__(Not functionally Breakable)

WPA2____ (Not functionally Breakable).

Note 1: WPA-AES the the current entry level rendition of WPA2.

Note 2: If you use WinXP bellow SP3 and did not updated it, you would have to download the WPA2 patch from Microsoft.http://support.microsoft.com/kb/893357

The documentation of your Wireless devices (Wireless Router, and Wireless Computer's Card) should state the type of security that is available with your Wireless hardware.

All devices MUST be set to the same security level using the same pass phrase.

Therefore the security must be set according what ever is the best possible of one of the Wireless devices.

I.e. even if most of your system might be capable to be configured to the max. with WPA2, but one device is only capable to be configured to max . of WEP, to whole system must be configured to WEP.

If you need more good security and one device (like a Wireless card that can do WEP only) is holding better security for the whole Network, replace the device with a better one.

Setting Wireless Security - http://www.ezlan.net/Wireless_Security.html

The Core differences between WEP, WPA, and WPA2 - http://www.ezlan.net/wpa_wep.html

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Jack-MVP Windows Networking. WWW.EZLAN.NET

Answer 2

Thanks, Jack, I found the page on the smaller computer and changed its name with no apparent problem to the network.  Now they are all joined up again.  Your help is much appreciated.   Kathy