Homegroup - IPv6 absolutely required?

[mmo]

I have tried to get the Windows 7 homegroup feature working between my 2 Win7 systems but failed so far.

Going through several tutorials and writeups I saw that this feature is expected to work only when the machines are connected using IPv6.

My home router apparently supports IPv4 only, but I saw that on both machines there is a 6to4 bridge interface installed and I can actually ping between both system using IPv6 addresses (using ping -6 ...). Is this 6-to-4 bridge enough for the Homegroup feature or does the router itself absolutely have to support IPv6 for this to work?

M.

 

[aem]

Well i don't think ipv6 in the true sense is used. Homegroup needs W7 ipv6 enabled/started to work. I'm no developer but i would thnk it's not ipv6 in the sense that you are thinking of.

 

[mmo]

Sorry - but that's essentially a "I have no idea" answer. Will it work with an IPv4-only router or not?

Anyone who knows this a bit more specificly?

M.

 

[chev65]

Homegroups requires that the router supports IPv6 in order to work correctly, although most modern routers do have this capiblity.

It should work if your ipconfig shows an address for IPv6. If you can't get Homegroups to work try this registry adjustment which should enable IPv6.


3. Modify IPv6 registry key to enable IPV6
==========================
a. Click Start, type regedit in Search Bar, and then click regedit in the Programs list.

Note: If you are prompted for an administrator password or confirmation, type your password or click Continue.

b. Locate and then click the following registry subkey:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\services\TCPIP6\Parameters

c. Check whether the "DisabledComponents" registry key exists. If so, let's move on the next steps.
d. Double click the "DisabledComponents" registry key and modify the value to 0.

(If the key doesn't exist, please create the key above and assign the value 0)

e. Exit Registry Editor, and then restart the computer.

 

[aem]

Sorry - but that's essentially a "I have no idea" answer. Will it work with an IPv4-only router or not?

Anyone who knows this a bit more specificly?

M.

The plan answer is Homegroup absolutely needs IPv6.

If you disabled IPv6, you cannot create Homegroup. That's pretty clear to me.

Again let me say, Ipv6 is an IP address scheme in it's correct definition, and it is not used in the non-commercial (if used in a very limited capacity, certainly not at Home use level). Ipv6 in W7 is cosmetic only and it is a requirement to setup W7 Homegroup. Do not get mixed up with Ipv6 in the true networking sense.

 

[mmo]

The plan answer is Homegroup absolutely needs IPv6

If you disabled IPv6, you cannot create Homegroup. That's pretty clear to me.

Well, I do have IPv6 enabled and - as I wrote in my initial append - the two system can "see" (i.e. ping) each other using IPv6 (and they both do have an IPv6 address).

Again let me say, Ipv6 is an IP address scheme in it's correct definition, and it is not used in the non-commercial (if used in a very limited capacity, certainly not at Home use level). Ipv6 in W7 is cosmetic only and it is a requirement to setup W7 Homegroup. Do not get mixed up with Ipv6 in the true networking sense.

OK, if I interpret that answer correctly, it's not such, that the connection is set up using IPv6 addresses (and thus requires a router in the midst that "understands" IPv6 addresses), but that enabling IPv6 in Win7 quasi as "side-effect" also enables Homegroups. That would mean to me, that my homegroup should work, but alas it does not. :-(

 

[mmo]

Homegroups requires that the router supports IPv6 in order to work correctly, although most modern routers do have this capiblity.

It should work if your ipconfig shows an address for IPv6. If you can't get Homegroups to work try this registry adjustment which should enable IPv6.
...

The issue is not that I can't enable IPv6 (it works on both systems) and I also enabled homegroups. In fact, after I did, my second computer detected that new homegroup and it was able to join the homegroup.

But the homegroup then doesn't work!
On the first computer the second computer is listed as part of the homegroup, but I can't access any documents, music, pictures, etc. on that computer.

The second computer (the one that joined) doesn't list any computers as part of the home group, not even the one on which it previously detected the homegroup.

In short: IPv6 is enabled and working, but the homegroup feature doesn't work for me :-(

M.

 

[logicearth]

The second computer (the one that joined) doesn't list any computers as part of the home group, not even the one on which it previously detected the homegroup.

Go the the Libraries you want to share between the computers and use "Share with" in the tool bar. If that doesn't work open Network and sharing center, bottom left click on "Homegroup" on both computers. Depending on the message it gives you, let it sit.

 

[RedBirdDad]

Homegroups can be used with an IPV4 only router. It really only matters if you need to pass IPV6 through the router. Even that is a little hazy since the Teredo interface is designed to pass IPV6 traffic encapsulated in an IPV4 packet across routers that may not support IPV6.

My own router is IPV4 only and handles my Homegroup just fine.

 

[aem]

I don't even know if it has anything to do with routers. If you want to really find out, do a cross-over cabling network and try creating and joining W7 Homegroups. I'm not a fan of W7 homegroup so haven't played around with it too much.

Bottom line is, W7 Homegroup works in the capacity that MS has made it. No more no less. If you are having issues with it not working, more than likely there is something wrong with your settings.

 

[RedBirdDad]

I don't even know if it has anything to do with routers. If you want to really find out, do a cross-over cabling network and try creating and joining W7 Homegroups. I'm not a fan of W7 homegroup so haven't played around with it too much.

Bottom line is, W7 Homegroup works in the capacity that MS has made it. No more no less. If you are having issues with it not working, more than likely there is something wrong with your settings.

I would agree.

 

[Mr PC Fixit]

Solution

Hi Guys.
I was browsing another issue I have and stumbled across this thread. I know its old, but thought I would post the solution anyway for anyone who is still having this issue.

Homegroup replies on the follow configuration for it to work properly.

- IPv6 must be enabled
- ***** the Time / Date MUST be in sync *****
(i originally had this problem and after looking at the clock a few dozen times, i noticed the year was off.... It is easily overlooked)
- Homegroup Services have to be running
- File Sharing must be enabled
- Computers MUST be on the same Subnet.
- (as a test) Turn off your firewall. Once you see that its working, turn it back on.

If anyone is still having issues, let me know.

 

[RedBirdDad]

Welcome to Seven Forums!

Spot on I'd say.