New User: DAW doesn't recognize server computer, can't use Audiogridder, please help

[alexis-0111]

Hi -

New user here, first post.

Setup:

• W10 on both computers: 2014 DAW tower; Surface Pro 6 as the server.
• Cubase 14 Pro
• Ethernet cable connection between the two with Belkins ethernet-USB3 A-connection converter for the Surface Pro.
• I've set it up so each computer can ping the other and get a good response. I'm new to connections between computers, but that much I can vouch for. This involved editing IP4 to give IP adresses that varied by one in the last field and 255.255.255.0 on both computers.
• I've also used the W10 dialogue to open up all the sharing options.
• Set up the server computer Audiogridder successfully I believe - it has scanned my plugins appropriately it seems.
• Test results the same with all firewalls off and on; I've also let Audiogridder through all firewalls (including public and private) on both machines.
• I've made sure to open Audiogridder on the server computer before the DAW computer.

Problem:

• Opening up Audiogridder on my DAW computer as an audio insert shows "not connected".
• Similarly with opening up Audiogridder on my DAW computer via "Instrument Track"
• Note: The "AGridder Monitor" on the DAW computer shows across the top a green dot "ok", an orange dot "not loaded", and a red dot "not connected"

What I've Tried (unsuccessful):

• Typing the name of the server computer, strict attention to spelling/spacing, in the Servers field of the DAW computer and selecting Reconnect
• Typing the IP address of the server computer, strict attention to spelling/spacing, in the Servers field of the DAW computer and selecting Reconnect
• Making sure all this was repeatable
• Reviewed threads like this Audiogridder does not work at all #1402 , with similar-sounding problems, but not solutions for my problem I could identify

Please help with any ideas please - as of now, Audiogridder is not available for me to use. :(

Thank you!

[alexis-0111]

I've figured this out, using guides like this https://techwiser.com/how-to-connect-pc-to-pc-lan-cable/, none of them got me all the way there, and the thing that pushed me over the finish line was that each computer had to be in airplane mode for the W10 networking process to be successful (something I read about online in zero places).

Hope this helps someone save many many hours down the line!