Direct Connection Overview

With Network Connections, you can create a physical connection to another computer by using a serial cable, a DirectParallel cable, a modem, an ISDN device, or other method. For example, you may have a Windows CE Handheld PC that you want to connect to your network. Or, you may have two or more networks in the same location that are not physically connected. If you want to use resources on both networks from one computer, you can use a serial cable connection with an RS-232C null modem cable. You connect an RS-232C cable from a COM port on the computer to a COM port on your remote access server, which is used to create network access. You can also use an RS-232C null modem as a substitute for a network adapter if your computer is located physically near (less than 50 feet of cable) a remote access server.

The DirectParallel driver supports computer-to-computer connections by using standard and enhanced (ECP) parallel ports, which use Parallel Technologies' Basic or Fast parallel cables. For more information about using a DirectParallel cable for a direct connection, see DirectParallel access.

Remote access authentication methods control access to your network, not resources on the network. Having a Windows CE device directly attached to a computer on your network is analogous to having a computer attached to your network, but not logged on. In that instance, you attached and accessed the network without using authentication of any kind.

Once you are present on a network, resource control is managed in various ways: Local Users and Groups, Active Directory, Group Policy, file and printer sharing, and so on.

Therefore, if you have set up a direct network connection using, for example, a Windows CE device, you need to ensure that resource control is in place that enforces access to privileged folders, printers, and so on.

Authentication methods are designed for remote computing, where the computer dialing in does not have access to the network until credentials such as user name and password are exchanged.

For information about creating a direct network connection, see To make a direct network connection.

Note

• You must be logged on as an administrator or a member of the Administrators group in order to complete this procedure. If your computer is connected to a network, network policy settings may also prevent you from completing this procedure.

Making a Dial-up Connection

To make a dial-up connection to your workplace by using a phone line

1. Open Network Connections.
2. Under Network Tasks, click Create a new connection, and then click Next.
3. Click Connect to the network at my workplace, and then click Next.
4. Click Dial-up connection, click Next, and then follow the instructions in the New Connection Wizard.

Note

• To open Network Connections, click Start, click Control Panel, and then double-click Network Connections.

Making an Internet Connection

To make an Internet connection

1. Open Network Connections.
2. Under Network Tasks, click Create a new connection, and then click Next.
3. Click Connect to the Internet, and then click Next.
4. Choose one of the following:
   • If you already have an account with an Internet service provider (ISP), click Set up my connection manually and then click Next.
   • If you have a CD from an ISP, click Use the CD I got from an ISP and then click Next.
   • If you do not have an Internet account, click Choose from a list of Internet service providers (ISPs) and then click Next.
5. From your choice above, click one of the following:

   Set up my connection manually

   • If you are connecting to your ISP using a standard 28.8 Kbps, 56 Kbps, or ISDN modem, click Connect using a dial-up modem, click Next, and follow the instructions in the wizard.
   • If your DSL or cable modem ISP connection requires a user name and password, click Connect using a broadband modem that requires a user name and password, click Next, and then follow the instructions in the wizard.
   • If your DSL or cable modem ISP connection is always on and does not require you to type a user name and password, click Connect using a broadband connection that is always on, click Next, and then click Finish.

   Use the CD I got from an ISP

   • Click Next, and then click Finish. Insert the CD provided by your ISP and follow the instructions.

   Choose from a list of Internet service providers (ISPs)

   • To create an Internet account using MSN Explorer, click Setup Internet access using MSN Explorer (U.S. only), and then click Finish. Follow the instructions in MSN Explorer.
   • To choose an ISP, click Select from a list of ISPs, click Next, and then click Refer me to more Internet service providers. In the Internet Connection Wizard, click Create a new Internet account, click Next, and then follow the instructions in the wizard.

Notes

• To open Network Connections, click Start, click Control Panel, and then double-click Network Connections.
• If your DSL or cable modem is always connected and your ISP does not require a user name and password, you do not need to run the New Connection Wizard. No additional configuration is required for your broadband connection.
• Before you create an Internet connection, check with your Internet service provider (ISP) to verify the required connection settings. A connection to your ISP may require one or more of the following settings:
  • A specific IP address.
  • DNS addresses and domain names.
  • POP3 settings for incoming e-mail.
  • SMTP settings for outgoing e-mail.

Attaining fast speeds with a 56 kbps modem

A modem connection must fulfill three requirements to support a 56 kilobits per second (Kbps) (also called V.90) connection:

• The host server must use a digital connection to the network. Your Internet service provider can tell you if they support 56 Kbps service.
• Both ends of the connection must support the same protocol, the V.90 standard or either of its predecessors, K56flex, or 3COM/USR X2. For example, if your Internet service provider has a V.90 device, your modem must support the V.90 protocol.
• There can only be one analog connection between your modem and the host computer. The phone line in most homes is an analog line.

If a connection does not meet these requirements, a modem falls back to the fastest protocol that works for the connection. For example, a 56 Kbps V.90 modem falls back to the 33.6 Kbps V.34 protocol if it cannot make a V.90 connection. Even if your connection fulfills these requirements, other factors may reduce either the transmission speed or the number of times that you successfully obtain the highest speed connection. For example, old lines, or lines that are subject to interference, might reduce transmission speeds. Maximum throughput speeds of 26 Kbps are not unusual in these cases.

Devices to improve the quality of your telephone service may also hamper 56 Kbps V.90 modem connections. Load coils found on long wire lengths to improve voice quality do not usually prevent V.90 connections, but can reduce the speed. Digital pads, which balance the volume of voice calls, usually do not prevent V.90 connections, but they can reduce the speed. Analog pads prevent V.90 connections, because they convert the digital data to analog to balance the volume, and then back to digital data. This inserts an additional analog section in the line.

In practice, the 56 Kbps speed supported by the V.90 and other protocols is unattainable. U.S. government regulations that currently safeguard public phone systems limit transmission speeds to 53 Kbps. Phone-line noise and other limitations of phone systems usually keep average transmissions in the 40 to 50 Kbps range.