How to connect Windows XP to Ubuntu over LAN cable

                 This post is all about connecting Ubuntu and Windows system using a LAN cable for sharing data between them . . . A LAN cable is a preferable mechanism for sharing files in a good speed in the range of Mbps.

Connection requirements :
        LAN cable
        Ubuntu linux with Samba (or any other file sharing application)
        Windows machine

Connect LAN cable to both of the systems. On connecting both the Windows and Ubuntu try to connect automatically between each other.

Now follow the steps below... 

Configuring the Linux system

1.  Right click on the Network manager icon on the top sidebar. Select 

     "Edit  connections".

2.  Under the "wired" tab on the pop up Network connections window choose the

     "add" button to add a new connection.

3.  Make changes in the opened window as in figure

        # specify the connection name as u like. I call it "Ubuntu XP network"

        # Check the connect automatically box enabled
        # Click on the IPv4 settings
            * Click on the methode field and choose "Manual"
            * Click below the address feild and enter an arbitray ip say, 

               192.100.100.1                   ....you can choose it your own
            * Add 255.255.255.0 in the Netmask (no options for you, enter it as if)
        # click on the apply button to make the changes available.

4. That's all you need to do in Ubuntu machine.


Configuring the Windows system

1.  Open the Network Connections folder from Start ---> Network Connections

2.  Right click on the connection with the name "Local Area Connection" and 

     click on the properties

3.  Under the general tab select Internet Protocol(TCP/IP) and click 

     "properties"

4.  Choose 'Use the following IP address' and enter
        IP Address  :  192.100.100.3
        Subnet Mask :  255.255.255.0

5.  Press the OK button to complete the configuring.

            Thats all about configuration. Now restart the connection from the Ubuntu system using network manager (No need to pull out the cable physically)
Inorder to share a particular file from windows, right click on the file and select properties.In the properties window check the corresponding
feilds related to sharing under the "sharing" tab.

To access those files from Ubuntu system, goto Places ---> Network ---> Windows network