Simple File and Printer Sharing for PC's and Macs

Peer-to-Peer Networking
"Network Neighborhood" (Microsoft Networking) for PC's
"Appleshare" - Chooser (Apple MacOS)

Jerry Winegarden
Duke University
Office of Information Technology

Revised 6/21/01

Introduction

Peer-to-peer networking means that any computer on the LAN can be a server and any can be a client. File and printer sharing are easily and naturally accomplished under both Microsoft Windows or Apple MacOS. Although this works no matter how many machines you have, it is the recommended method if you have 5 or fewer machines. Above 10 computers and you should consider a dedicated server. See "Choosing a Server" for information on cost-effective server solutions. (The good news? In most cases you can obtain a lower end pentium (e.g. P200 with 2GB HD, 64 MB RAM), for free or very little money (< $100?), install Linux operating system (free), and have the whole world (via e-mail posts to redhat-list@redhat.com) help you install, configure and maintain it!

See:

File Sharing via Network Neighborhood under MS Windows 9x

Printer Sharing (Network Printer definitions) under MS Windows 9x

File Sharing via Appleshare under Apple MacOS

Printer Sharing via Appletalk (Chooser) under MacOS