network with a windows laptop

I logged onto my iMac and saw an attempt by the iMac to connect with my Sony Vaio Windows 7 laptop. It failed as there was no server.

Does this mean my Apple and my Sony could create a network and thus I'd be able to access files from either machine.

I already have itunes in the iMac set up to connect to apple tv and our iphones and ipads all have the remote app etc..

its no massive burning issue for me but when you see a message like that you think it might be possible.

It would help with things like converting ebooks to epub via calibre on my laptop and then using the iMac to add them to the ipad.