Question : Peer to peer networking with Windows XP - master browser issues

Got a problem with a 7 PC peer to peer network. All machines are running XP pro either SP2 or SP3. IP addresses are dynamically assigned via a Draytek Vigor 2800 router, apart from 2 machines that have statics. (addresses are in the range 10.0.0.x with a subnet mask of 255.255.255.0)

One machine acts as a server but only in the sense that it has a shared folder that everyone has a drive mapped to, runs a backup drive and is never switched off.

This network has been trouble free for approx 3 years but has recently started having intermittant connectivity issues. Machines cannot connect to the internet or access the server drive. Getting everyone to reboot their machines and rebooting the hubs/router usually sorts it out.

When I check event viewer there are master browser / browser election errors on all machines that coincide when we have been having the problems.

As far as i am aware this has never been set up properly. I have found the following article that seems to suggest what I need to do:

http://www.winplanet.com/article/3468-.htm

Can anybody suggest whether this is all i need to do or offer any further tips on troubleshooting browser master issues?

Also, can aybody recommend any good articles on XP peer to peer do's and dont's? I feel I need to get back to basics on this!

Answer : Peer to peer networking with Windows XP - master browser issues

You can set one to a Master, and the others to not try and force, which should resovle some of your issues.

http://www.howtonetworking.com/index.htm

Great site for up to date information, as well as some of the basics....

Personally, I would use Static IP's for the clients on something this small....

"Machines cannot connect to the internet or access the server drive."

This doesnt sound too good though.... Think this is caused by all the Browser Election traffic?