small network for file sharing

[sangar]

hello every one, can some one help me out here please,,,,, i have about 20 computer 18 of them got win7 2 of them with win xp.....and i just got NETGEAR ProSafe 24 Port. i want to connect all of them together... when i use the NETGEAR ProSafe 24 Port i see only 2 computers. am i doing something wrong or do i have to assign ip add to each computer. thanks oh and no internet only file shearing

 

[Shadowjk]

You still need to assign all devices with an IP address no matter what. Should be one of the private address ranges.

As for only seeing 2 computers, do they both have IP addresses? Also where abouts do you see them? On the switch management or in the network tab on windows?

Many thanks,
Josh

 

[sangar]

no none of them have IP add and i see them under network tab on windows.

 

[Shadowjk]

Well that is your issue there, every device needs an IP address on the same subnet. Since the switch is a layer 2 switch you will have to manually assign them rather than using DHCP.

Josh