IP Addresses

The Internet is a global network of millions of computers. Each computer has a unique identity called an IP address.

Internet Protocol (IP) address -  is a Character Numeric value used to identify a particular device on a network.

There are three types of IP addresses.

Below screen from Windows PC (> ipconfig) command prompt show IPv4 address 192.168.8.152 which is a dynamic address and it's assignment managed by DHCP of the Router.

By Changing network properties we can arrange static IP for our Local PC.

There are two types of IP versions. 

source: arin.net & journalsnews.blogspot.com

We can view the current IPv4 and IPv6 addresses assigned to our local PC if we are in a windows PC like below.

Signing off. ~ Author.

Wireless Ad Hoc Internet Connection with Windows 8/8.1

If you're a person who travels a lot, even if you like, you don't have the luxury of Carrying your WiFi router every where you go. Probably you're using a Wireless Broadband Connection with a typical Mobile Broadband USB Stick , the Dongle as we call it, whenever you're on the move.

But, unfortunately if you're using a a Smart phone or another laptop other than the one you're using, You may need another one of those Broadband Connections or a data Connection along side a Dongle in the case of  a Laptop. 

Even if you wanted to buy a Mobile Broadband WiFi Router Dongle it'll cost you $50-$60, if you're looking for at least a Huawei Product. It's an extra burden, as You've to carry the Charger, the dongle itself with USB Cable and Lithium Ion Battery.

You don't have to do this, as you can create an Ad Hoc Wireless Internet Connection by using your Laptop to share the internet connection with Any other device. So, Here's how you do it.

I've used the Term Windows 8/8.1 as you can see in the Topic, Because I've it installed in my Computer as well as the fact that, this feature isn't highlighted as a Separate tool or something But, it's obvious that Turning A PC into a Virtual Router is quite intriguing. So, Follow the Easy Steps as usual.

01. Run the Command Prompt with Administrator Privileges.

02. Run the Following Command to make sure that, your Wireless interface Supports Hosted Networking Which is vital to create the Ad Hoc Connection.

 netsh wlan show drivers 

03. Check if, it Shows "Yes" for the Hosted Network Support. You've make sure that, your Wireless interface supports Hosted Network or else you've to upgrade your hardware.

04. Then, type the Following Command into the Command Prompt with your own, Revisions to it as your SSID and key should be unique for you.

wlan set hostednetwork mode=allow ssid="network_name" key="password"

after running the Command, make sure you get the Result as follows.  

05. Then, type the following Command in to the Command Prompt to start the Hosted Network. You can use the same command with the Revision "Stop" instead of "Start" to Stop the Network being Broadcasted.

netsh wlan start hostednetwork

06. Make sure that You've enabled your WiFi Adapter in the "Change Adapter Settings" and One Final thing, you've to enable the current Internet Connection with the Dongle to Share in order to do that, Go to "Network and Sharing Center" & to the Properties of the Current Connection.

07. Then, go to "Sharing" Tab. Enable "Allow other network users to connect through this Computer's internet Connection" and Select the Connection from the Drop down.

Then, try using the already broadcasting WiFi Connection with Any of your Device. Enjoy!

Using OpenSSH for the Linux Network File Sharing

I've had most of the occasion to figure ways to connect computers with different Operating Environments or different Operating Systems. In 2 of my previous notes I've mentioned Connection of Ubuntu+Windows Computers for File Sharing. Even, before that I noted down Home group sharing between windows Computers. 

But, I had left the fact that the Same File Sharing could be done between two Linux Operating Computers as well. To perform, the file sharing, We've to have Open SSH installed.

To give  a brief idea about SSH, SSH means Secure Shell or Secure Socket Shell is a Unix Based Command Interface or a protocol developed with the intention of Sharing Files & allowing remote access to computers with Unix Operating Environments.

But, with the development of Linux & it's being friendlier than ever before, the OpenSSH is one of the SSH connectivity tools available to download for Linux environment which also can encrypt outgoing traffic effectively. Whenever, there's an attempt to connect to telnet, ftp the possibilities of our passwords & other digital signatures could be exposed to outsiders. OpenSSH could be recognized of being a better tool that could ultimately avoid this.

Having Said that, let's See how we can download & install the OpenSSH to effectively Allow sharing between two Linux Operating Environments.

1.  First, Launch Terminal By Ctrl + T of your Keyboard.
2. Type & Let Execute the following Command in the Terminal.



sudo apt-get install openssh-server openssh-client



3. Download & Type 'SSH' in the terminal & press tab Key & Check whether you got Command Suggestions to make sure you've installed OpenSSH.
4. Do the Step 1 & 2 in both Computers.
5. In The Client Computer Minimize all working Windows & Go To Ubuntu Desktop Top Left Corner & File -> Connect To Server.
6. Find the IP address of the Server by typing 'ifconfig' in the terminal & type it in the Text Box & fill the Port number 22. The rest is shown below.

Now, Click 'Connect' & Share Your Files both Ways. Important: thing to know is that You've to Keep your Firewall Software 'OFF' mode to allow sharing. That's it.

Network Monitoring with Linux ?

Monitoring network interface & bandwidth of your internet connection is critical these days as many Computer Users have fixed & dial up connections. 

                                           People catch up with internet more often than ever, so knowing your current internet speed, transfer rate  & estimated download time might be critical to some of them.

                                       In Linux there're bunch of applications which provide the necessary functionality in order to do this. But, installation of these tools can be tricky as usual, like any other Linux Based Application.

                      Speedometer is the application which will ultimately be explained in this note of this humble blog site of mine. Speedometer caught my attention when I was having some information hunting about tools to check my internet speed, which wavers most of the time. This guide is in simple steps, so you can follow them with ease.

Step 01: RunYour Terminal & Type the following Command in it.

$ python -V

The purpose of this command is to make sure you've installed the required python version to run the application.


Step 02:  After making sure you've got Python (Python Comes with Linux Installation), you've to download Python-Urwid package, in order to do that. type:

$ sudo apt-get install python-urwid

Step 03:  Download Speedometer.py source file, here, & run the following Command in your terminal, to copy the source file to /usr/local/bin/ .

$ sudo cp speedometer.py /usr/local/bin/speedometer

Make sure to go inside the downloaded directory before performing the above step.


Step 04:  Run the following command to grant permission to run the application to specific user.

$ sudo chown username /usr/local/bin/speedometer

Step 05:  Run the following command to give access permissions to the speedometer file to run in line with the system.

$ sudo chmod 755 /usr/local/bin/speedometer

Step 06: Run man command to test your application works fine & its other options along side with  manual.

$ man speedometer

Step 07:  If you're done. Then, You can check your application. Here's some example commands to test the application.

$ speedometer 1 -rx eth0

It returns the following graph with dynamic values to exit any time press 'Esc'.

This command is in the $ speedometer time-interval-in-seconds -rx network-interface format.

Preparing to Connect Your PC to Your Router ?

                                            For those who don't know UTP Cat5 Cable, Cat5 is the successor of Cat3 Cable and could deliver the speed of 10/100 Mbps. Cat5 (Category 5) Cable is developed to make less interference to the data transfer as Cat5 has less twists per foot.

To Connect your router to the PC You need ;

1. Cat5 Cable (Any Length)

2. 2 Rj45 Connectors

3. Crimp Tool

                                                   If you're unfamiliar with Crimp Tool, you'd better look at the image here. You can buy one of these Crimp Tools in local market for around US $5-7. Make sure you're capable of handling the tool better before continuing with our exercise. 

Step :- 01

                  First, Cut the Cable Sheath at the both ends  using the blades of Crimp Tool and pull out the twisted pairs of cable out a little bit.

Step  :- 02

                   Then, untwist the pairs of cable and spread them so that you can prepare it's order as you wish. Try to spread the cables as much as possible.

Step  :- 03

Now, prepare the cable color order as follows in the both ends of the cable. It's important to know that the image suggests that Rj45 Connector's front side is visible to you as it's shown in the image.

The image shows T-568B Cable Connection. TIA/EIA 568A ( in 1995) was replaced by TIA/EIA 568B which was introduced in 2002. 

Step  :- 04

As the Cable is inserted into Rj45 at the both ends. Now, it's time to crimp. Look at the following image. You've to crimp until you hear tick noise from the Connector.

Step  :- 05

After you've done with Crimping. Connect your router to PC. Now,  Go to Network Sharing Center of your PC.

Then, click on the link 'Change adapter settings'.

 Right Click on the network connection icon & go to properties.

Select 'Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4)' and Click Properties Button.

Now, assign an I/P address for your computer. Default Router I/P address is 192.168.1.1. So, Give your PC 192.168.1.2 like I/P address with Sub net Mask of 255.255.255.0. Your default gateway should be your router, give Default Gateway I/P address 192.168.1.1.

To check whether your work is complete. Take out your Command Prompt and Type ping Command with I/P address of router 192.168.1.1 to ping your router.

Enjoy !

How to Create a Home Group in Windows 7 ?

Hi! In this post I wanted to discuss & explain 'Creating of Home Group in Windows 7'. All the steps are in numbers so it'll be easy for you to follow.

1. Pick two computers & Connect them with suitable network cable.

2. Let's imagine the computers are PC - A & PC -B. Go to PC - A and click on the start button & type 'network sharing center'.

3. Click on 'Network and Sharing Center'. Then : Click on the Link 'Change advanced sharing settings'.

4. Then in the window 'Advanced Sharing Settings', Select :

• Turn On Network Discovery.
• Turn On File Printer Sharing.
• Turn On Sharing so anyone with network access can read and write files in the Public Folders & Hit Save Changes.

 5. Click on the network icon in the notification area and Select 'Open Network and Sharing Center'.

6. Then, in the network map area. Click on the icon or link 'Home Network' .

7. Then, Change Network Location to 'Home Network'.

8. Click Start button & Type Home Group and Click ' Home Group ' Icon.

9. Then, Click 'Create Home Group' & Select basic folders that you need to share with the other computer.

10. Now, you'll see the password for your home group as follows. Write down or remember this password.

11. Go to PC - B and do almost similar settings.

• Set Network Location to Home Network.
• Set 'Advanced Sharing Settings'.
• Click on Home Group icon on start Menu.

      But, you need to Select 'Join Home Group' in there. Then, you'd be asked to enter previous password that you already wrote down. Type it.

And, Hit Next. Eventually, you'll be connected to the home group of PC - A. Now, you can Select folders to share other than basic folders as follows. (Right Click -> Share with)

12 . Then, get Explorer window & Click on the Home group in the left side line.

Enjoy Sharing !