I have two nodes, in 5 port direct mode, with a computer attached to each node. After finally getting a clue about the dns entries, I can now run IPerf between the two computers by name. I can't ping from one to the other computer at all, however. By name or IP. I can ping the nodes, but any ping sent between computers is returned timed out. Pretty sure it isn't the computers (running XP home, by the way) cuz when I unplug 'em from the nodes and plug 'em into a hub they can ping each other just fine.

Did a search here, and found some suggestions re: firewalls, ICMP enabled or not etc., but so far no joy.

I miss my ping. Any suggestions? Probably something really obvious...

Yeah, I remember seeing that thread. Got me looking at the 'puters real hard. I'm pretty sure it's something similar, but both of these are running XP, which don't recognize that particular command.

I've got firewall(s) off, I think. The odd thing is, both work fine on the wireless interface, wifi through my home router, but act hinky on the wired interface through the Linksys nodes. Even if they're plugged into the same node, which is the same as using a hub in direct mode. I use ping a lot to test routing and switching stuff.

Ideally, I'd like these nodes to be as simple as possible; plug in a computer, attach to a server or other computer by name, without making any configuration changes to the computers or servers. Simple is good.

-- Time to get the big rubber mallett out...

In Windows XP, there is a different procedure. See the below link:

http://www.ehow.com/how_6929285_enable-ping-windows-xp-firewall.html