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HOW TO: Setup a home network

HOW TO: Setup a home network

by Rick Castellini

Home computer networks used to be just for geeks. There was no practical reason to setup a network at home because most people only had one system and the Internet was only accessible through a dial-up connection that couldn't be shared. Today, that has all changed. Computer networks are not only practical but they are also easy to setup and in many cases they are absolutely necessary. This article will breakdown the process of building a computer network into simple steps that will guide you through the entire process of setting up either a wired or wireless home computer network.

A wireless primer

Before we get into the logistics of a network setup, we should cover some quick terminology. Here are a few terms you absolutely need to understand to build a computer network.

Ethernet cable This is the kind of cable that you use to build a wired network. You will recognize it by the large RJ-45 ends that resemble large telephone connectors.

Router This is a device that monitors the complex network transmissions and acts as a traffic cop to decide what communications are safe and what are potentially bad guys trying to get in. A router is also a kind of hardware firewall.

Switch Often people use the terms switch and router interchangeably, but a switch is actually the device that controls how communication takes place within the network. For example a switch acts as a hub where all of the computers come together to share files, printers and other devices. Typically a router will come with a switch built-in, but not always, especially with wireless networks.

Wireless/WiFi Also called 802.11a/b/g WiFi is a special frequency that allows you to setup a network with minimal wires. Sometimes wireless networks are setup for complex jobs like file and print sharing; sometimes they serve only one purpose such as sharing the Internet with nearby computers. This type of wireless should not be confused with wireless cell phones or high speed Internet offered via wireless microwave technology.

Broadband Internet Only broadband Internet access can be shared on a network.

There are two ways to connect to the Internet dialup or broadband.

In order for an Internet connection to be called broadband it must meet four criteria:

1. It is fast, very fast.

2. It is always on, no dialing required.

3. It doesn't occupy a phone line you can talk on the phone while you surf.

4. It can be shared among multiple computers at the same time. The whole family can be on the Internet at the same time on each computer.

Network Interface Card (NIC) - Currently, there are two main types of NIC's. Wireless and wired. A NIC is a device that is connected to your computer that allows communication with other computers (networking). This can be done either through wireless means or wired means with an Ethernet cable.

All computers that you want to network need to have a NIC. You choose whether it is wireless or wired. Almost all computers built since 2002 have an internal NIC for networking right from the factory even laptops. Almost all laptops built since 2004 have built-in wireless networking capabilities as well. If you need to add one to your computer, a NIC will cost between $10 and $25. A wireless NIC will cost around $40.

The stuff you need

To complete your network, have the following items handy and ready to go before you start:

Cable or DSL Modem (should already have that from your Internet provider)

Wireless Cable/DSL Router with Four-Port Switch. This type of router allows for maximum flexibility in setting up your network.(brand isn't very important and you should not speed any more than $50)

Ethernet Cable - Need one to go from the modem to the router, and one more for each of the computers that you will be hooking up via Ethernet (versus wireless) to the router. Measure the lengths you need before you start the project.

Almost all of the major brands of routers (Linksys, Belkin, D-Link, etc) offer a CD with a 'wizard' to setup the Internet sharing part of your network. Follow the steps exactly.

Setting up the router

No matter what brand of router you have, you will typically go through the following steps for setting it up:

1. Make sure at least one computer is currently connected directly to your cable or DSL modem and the Internet is working properly.

2. Insert the router CD and start the wizard, which will make sure that your Internet connection is active.

3. Unplug the Ethernet cable from the back of your computer and insert it into the port marked WAN on the back of the router

4. Now take one of your extra Ethernet cables and plug it between ports 1, 2, 3, or 4 and the back of your computer

5. Plug the power into the back of the router

6. Follow the rest of the instructions on your router's wizard

7. Plug in as many more computers as you want to share the Internet

Again, this is a general overview of the setup process and will vary a little with each particular router.

Typically, wireless routers can broadcast a signal that will reach around 75' indoors. However, that number reduces significantly depending on the barriers it has to pass through...walls, ceilings, type of materials in the walls and floors, etc. For best results, I like to keep the wireless computer as close to line of sight as possible to the router (least number of walls and barriers like furniture). Currently, the standard used in wireless computing (Wi-Fi) is 802.11g. For those with inquisitive minds, you can get detailed definitions of all terms wireless at Webopedia.com.

As with the wired setup, use the CD that came with your brand of router to walk through the setup. The first thing you want to do is assign a new password (right it down and remember it for future use) for the routers settings. Most of the wizards offer you the chance to do this right away.

Installing wireless security

Next, you want to setup the wireless security for your system. Enabling wireless security drastically reduces the chances of a hacker trying to break into your network. The first step you will be asked to do is assign a name (SSID - Service Set Identifier) to your network. Don't use your name...use something like your street name or high school mascot or development name...etc. Again, right this down and don't forget it. You will also be given the opportunity to broadcast your wireless name or not...for ultimate security, click "No" on the broadcast option. However, for ease of setup, as long as you are following the rest of the security steps, broadcasting should be ok.

Broadcasting your wireless names allows computers with a wireless network card to see what networks are available. If you are broadcasting you need to be secure as the signal can travel up to 300 feet away if there are few barriers.

Wireless security comes in two main flavors: WEP and WPA. Some consider the WPA security protocol more secure than the WEP. If your router accepts WPA, use it. With either protocol, you pick either a password or 'key'. The key is usually in the form of a hexadecimal (numbers 0-9, and letters A-F) and are a minimum of 10 characters long. As with all passwords, longer is better.

Now you are ready to hook up to your new secure wireless network:

1. Double-click on the wireless network icon in your system tray (by the clock)

2. Click on your wireless network

3. Click the Connect button

4. Paste in your wireless key (twice)

5. Click OK

Wait about 30 seconds and now you can surf the Internet wirelessly!

If you decided to not broadcast your wireless connection, then follow these steps:

1. Click Start, and then click Control Panel.

2. Double-click Network Connections.

3. Right-click Wireless Network Connection, and then click Properties.

4. Click the Wireless Networks tab.

5. Under Preferred networks, click Add.

6. In the Network Name (SSID) box, type the name of the wireless network and enter your security key.

7. Click OK.

One of the greatest advantages of a network for home users is the ability to use a single printer to service all the computers.

Windows XP offers a networking wizard that works quite well for most people to setup a home or small business network. You can find it by:

1. Double-click the "My Computer" icon

2. Click "My Network Places" from the task list on the left of the screen

3. You will then see the menu of options at the pictured here

4. Click the "Set up a home or small office network" option

5. Click Next twice

6. The next screen will ask you how you connect to the Internet, choose the second option " This computer connects to the Internet through a residential gateway or through another computer on my network."

7. Click Next

8. On the next screen, give your computer a description and a name as described in the step itself

9. Click Next

10. Now you name your network (workgroup) so that the computers can talk to each other. Use any name you like, but keep it to a single word like; Steelers, Network, Rover, etc

11. Click Next

12. Click the "Turn on file and printer sharing" option

13. Click Next twice

14. If you are using Windows 98 or Me on other computers in your network, then click the "Create a Network Setup Disk" and click next. OR If you are using XP on the other computers, then click the final option "Just finish..."

15. Click Next

16. Click Finish

Using this method will also allow you to share files through the "SharedDocs" folder found in My Computer. Any files you save into this folder can be accessed on any other computer via the network. The wizard will also allow you to share any printers you have installed.

To share your printers with other computers:

1. Click Start ---> Control Panel

2. Open your Printers folder

3. RIGHT Click on your printer

4. Click "Sharing"

5. Click "Share this printer"

6. Type a descriptive name in the share name box

7. Click OK

Other Windows XP computers on your network will automatically detect and utilize these shared printers. All you have to do is choose them from your printer list when printing OR open the Control Panel and your printers folder, then RIGHT click on the network printer and choose "Set as Default"

If you want to share other folders on your hard drive with your network, navigate to that folder in Windows Explorer or My Computer, then:

1. RIGHT Click on the folder to share

2. Click "Share this folder on the network"

3. Change the Share name if necessary

4. Click the "Allow network users to change my files" box IF you want to be able to edit those files from other computers

5. Click Ok

Networking isn't just for the big corporate offices any more. There are plenty of good reasons to set up a network in your home or small office. For screenshots and links to other networking resources, visit my online version of this tip at: HelpMeRick.com/networking

Rick Castellini is an author, computer consultant, and hosts a nationally syndicated computer radio show from Colorado. Visit his Web site at HelpMeRick.com for new tips every week and sign up for his free weekly e-mail newsletter.