Can I use a hub instead of a switch......

[DCO57]

... on a small home network. I have an old server (Server 2003) and a client (Windows XP). I'm trying to set up a small demo network just to practice Active Directory administration. I'm currently using a hub but I can't even PING either unit. I have static IPs set up but don't know what to put for the default gateways. I've tried setting the gateway as the same IP as the NIC, tried leaving it blank. I've also tried different IP addresses....still can't ping. However I can ping 127.0.0.1, so the NICs are working.

Maybe if I need a switch instead of a hub, then I can set the default gateway to the switch IP address.

Any help would be greatly appreciated

Thanks
DCO

[PrntRhd]

AD is using an Active Domain controller, that server's address will be the gateway address in most cases.

[LochLomonder]

Changing between a switch and a hub won't really matter in this instance. The main difference between the two is how frames are managed, but this won't stop the comms working.

I would agree with Paul here: Use the IP address of the server you've set up as the Gateway Address, and ensure both machines are within the same IP range and subnet.

[DCO57]

Thanks guys. Thats the one combination I didn't try ... setting the default gateway on both the server AND the client to the server's IP. BTW... if I did use a switch instead of a hub, would I set the default gateway on both the server and client to the IP of the switch?
Thanks for your help

[DCO57]

Still doesn't work. Heres my settings
Server: IP 192.168.0.1, Default Gateway 192.168.0.1, DNS 192.168.0.1, subnet mask 255.255.255.0
Client: IP 192.168.0.2, Default Gateway 192.168.0.1, DNS 192.168.0.1, subnet mask 255.255.255.0
Server NIC and Client NIC both can ping 127.0.0.1 and have green lights
I tried different hubs (Netgear DS106 and EN10)
I just seem to ping either the server or the client.
Should I try a router and set the default gateway to the routers IP address?
Thanks