Home Networking 101 : Home Networking 101 How to Set Up, Secure and Manage A Network


Why Network: Why Network Networking is all about sharing, and it allows your computers to connect to the Internet, talk to each other, and share resources like files and printers


What is A Computer Network: What is A Computer Network Communication system between 2 or more computers or other devices such as printers


Benefits of Networking: Benefits of Networking Networking adds flexibility to the way you work with your computers and electronic devices. You can: Share a high-speed, broadband cable or DSL Internet connection so everyone can surf the web simultaneously Access your own private e-mail account while others cruise the web Share all types of files, including music, digital pictures, and documents Store your library of music, pictures, and files all in one place View your digital pictures and listen to your music anywhere in the house Enjoy multiplayer and head-to-head gaming with friends or family from any room in the house Save money and time by sharing printers, scanners and other peripherals


Network vs Networking : Network vs Networking Network—Physical infrastructure, enables transmission of data—Hubs, repeaters, routers, cables, fiber optics and microwave dishes Networking—Preparation of data for transmission and submission of data to the network, enabled by software


Wired vs Wireless: Wired vs Wireless Wireless - communicates through radio waves Wired - communicates through data cables (most commonly Ethernet-based)


LAN vs WAN : LAN vs WAN LAN—Local Area Network—Devices connected in a single office or building WAN—2 or more interconnected LANs, geographically distant The best example of a WAN is the Internet, which spans the entire world


Advantages of Wireless: Advantages of Wireless Mobility and freedom - work anywhere No restriction of wires or a fixed connection Quick, effortless installation No cables to buy or install Easy to expand


Advantages of Wired: Advantages of Wired Relatively low cost Offers the highest performance possible Fast speed - standard Ethernet cable up to 100Mbps. Faster speed - Gigabit Ethernet cable up to 1000Mbps. Wired networks are best when you need to move large amounts of data at high speeds,


Wireless Standards: Wireless Standards Wireless-B (802.11b) Operates on the 2.4GHz frequency band and can transmit data at speeds of up to 11Mbps within a range of up to 100-150 feet. Wireless-A (802.11a) – Operates at the frequency of 5 GHz, which is less crowded than 2.4GHz where telephones and microwaves may cause interference. Although the speed is up to 54Mbps, the range is only up to 75 feet. Wireless-A is incompatible with both Wireless-B and G because it operates at a different frequency. Wireless-G (802.11g) – Features the same benefits as Wireless-B, but offers 5X the speed at up to 54Mbps. Wireless-G currently offers the best combination of performance and value. You can mix Wireless-B with Wireless-G equipment, but you will lose the higher performance speeds of Wireless-G. Wireless-N (802.11n) - The next generation of high-speed wireless networking, capable of delivering the range and capacity to support today's most bandwidth-hungry applications like streaming high definition video, voice, and music. Wireless-N is based on MIMO (Multiple Input, Multiple Output) technology, which uses multiple radios to transmit multiple streams of data over multiple channels.


Network Hardware: Network Hardware Router: This is considered the heart of your network and is the device that routes all the traffic to and from the Internet to the various computers on your network. Modem: Connects your Internet service to your computer. Depending upon what type of broadband service you have, you will need either a DSL or cable modem. Or, you can purchase a gateway router which is an all-in-one solution that combines the functions of a router with a cable or DSL modem so that two separate devices are not required.


Network Adapters: : Network Adapters: For a desktop computer: PCI Adapter - connects inside your computer USB Adapter--plugs into a USB port on the outside of your computer For a laptop computer: A PC (PCMCIA) Card--slides into a slot on your laptop computer USB Adaptor--plugs into a USB port on the outside of your computer **Most new computers come with built in devices (wired and/or wireless)


To Expand Your Coverage: To Expand Your Coverage High Gain Antenna and Antenna Stands Range Extenders or Access Points


Networking Options : Networking Options Crossover Cable Ad Hoc Wireless with Router Remote Desktop


Crossover Cable : Crossover Cable Quick way to connect 2 computers without a router hub or switch Both must have Ethernet adapters Connect adapter to adapter Shared folders will appear in My Network Places Transfer files at 100Mbps


Why Ad Hoc: Why Ad Hoc A QUICK network without a router—Instant private networking File sharing at a meeting Wireless connection—all computers must have wireless adapter Host adds the wireless connection Users search for the wireless network


How To Set Up Ad Hoc : How To Set Up Ad Hoc Network Connection Window—Highlight wireless connection—then choose CHANGE settings in task pane Choose Wireless tab in Wireless connection properties—Add button at bottom of window Name in SSID—Open--disable security or use a quick 5 ASCII (WEP) key and give this key to those you wish to share file with. Check this is a computer to computer network


Connect to Ad Hoc : Connect to Ad Hoc Search for all wireless networks If you don’t find the ad hoc network Check advanced setting of your wireless adapter Make sure you can connect to all available networks—not just Access Point (preferred)


A Wireless Network In 4 Easy Steps…..With A Router: A Wireless Network In 4 Easy Steps …..With A Router Select Equipment Connect the Router Configure the Router Connect The Computers


Selecting the Equipment: Selecting the Equipment You will need a Wireless Router A wireless network adapter for each computer Remember most new machines have a built in adapter—sometimes both wired and wireless


Connecting the Router: Connecting the Router Unplug your modem to turn it off Connect one end of network cable (usually included with router purchase) into the modem, connect the other end of cable into a port marked Internet, WAN or WLAN on Modem Plug modem back into power to turn on and wait a few minutes for connection to internet Plug router into power and within a few moments you should see activity lights connecting


Configure the Router : Configure the Router Temporarily connect a computer to router with network cable Open Internet Explorer and type address to access router settings—for Linksys this is 192.168.1.1 (Other manufacturers may vary) The default password is admin Most default setting are fine—at least to start


Connect The Computers: Connect The Computers Make sure wireless adapter is installed If you are using Windows XP SP2, you should see a notification in the task tray that says Wireless Connection has been found Right click Wireless Network Icon and choose view available networks The wireless network connections window should appear and you should see the network name you chose in the SSID setup of the router, if not try choosing refresh network list from the task pane Choose your network and select connect


Viewing Network Computers: Viewing Network Computers When network is up and running, can easily view all networked computers through My Network Places All computers must belong to same workgroup Use shared folder on each computer for consistency Or make shortcuts to shared folders for speed NEVER share the root or C:andgt; directory of any computer


Sharing A Printer: Sharing A Printer Control Panel (Of host computer) Printers andamp; Faxes Choose Printer R Clk for properties or Choose From Task Pane Sharing Tab—Share This Printer andamp; Name (These instructions are for Windows XP-your OS may be slightly different)


Selecting The Shared Printer: Selecting The Shared Printer Once a printer is shared, it can be accessed from all computers on network Control Panelandgt;Printers andamp; Faxesandgt;Add Printer Wizard will ask local or network Browse—Find shared printer


Wireless Security : Wireless Security Why you should secure your network


How To Secure : How To Secure Change the default password Change the SSID Enable Encryption Disable SSID broadcasting Enable MAC Address filtering


Remote Desktop: Remote Desktop Remote desktop was a feature included with Windows XP Professional that enticed me to purchase Allows you to connect to one computer from another computer across the internet Connect to your work computer from home and access all files and resources as if you are sitting in front of your work computer


What is needed for Remote Desktop: What is needed for Remote Desktop Microsoft XP must be installed on the computer you want to access (known as host) If you work computer is part of a corporate network, Remote Desktop connections must be permitted The remote computer (known as client) can be running Win95 or later, but must have Remote Desktop Client Software installed (An older Win95 machine can download this software) Both computers must connect to the internet through a VPN or if not you will need the IP address of the host computer


Setup Host Computer: Setup Host Computer First get to System Properties window of the host computer (right click on my computer) Choose Remote Tab and in lower half of window check allow users to connect remotely to this computer In your firewall settings you must allow Remote Desktop as an exception Find the computer name of the host computer or the IP address and write it down to use when setting up the client computer


Set Up Client : Set Up Client At the client computer, select programs, accessories, communications, remote desktop connection Type in the IP address of the host computer and choose connect Options—Choose display resolution, local resources such as printer and other options You will type in your Windows password and be connected to your computer as if you were sitting in front of it Log off when finished If connecting wirelessly to the internet and not through a VPN, make sure you are using encryption security settings