Setting up the network hardware

Overview

Before you can begin sharing resources between the various computers, you will need to physically connect them in some fashion. By now you have checked have or purchased all the necessary hardware mentioned on page 1. Now you are going to install and set up your network. This will involve:

  1. Installing any network cards, if necessary
  2. Plugging in the CAT-5 patch cables to connect each computer to the router
  3. Set up your router depending on your internet connection
  4. Assigning IP Addresses to each computer, either by hand (statically assigned) or setting up a DHCP server
  5. Making sure that all the computers can communicate with eachother

Installing Network Cards

Inserting NIC

For the most part, you will want to follow the directions provided with the NIC you purchased. No matter what card you have purchased they will all follow the same basic set of directions. You will first turn off you computer, and disconnect all wires. Then open the case, and insert your NIC into an open PCI slot. Replace the cover and all the wires. Turn the computer back on and install the driver.

Plug in the CAT-5 Patch Cables

Inserting NIC

This is probably the easiest, and possibly the hardest part at the same time. The necessary part, connecting the wires is just like pluging in a phone. Plug one side into the NIC port of the computer, and the other side into router's ports. One of the ports on the router will be labeled for the internet, or WAN (Wide Area Network). Many times this port will be seperate from the others. Make sure that you use this port to connect the DSL/cable modem if you are using highspeed. If you have dial-up, you will not use this port. Be sure to double check the documentation that came with your router.

From experiece, I would suggest not put the computer back, hide the wires, etc. In general, try to keep everything as reachable as possible until you are sure things are working right. Murphy's Law says that you can do the set-up 100 times without a problem, but as soon as you take the time to put everything away neatly, you will have problems.

Setting up your router

Inserting NIC

If you are using a high speed connection, then the rest of this is pretty easy, just follow the directions provided with your router. The home router market is designed with high speed internet access in mind, so the directions provided with your router will be exactly what you want and should be pretty easy to follow.

If you are using a dial-up connection, then you will want to turn off any of the advance features in your router. You will only be using it like a hub or switch. You will not need to set up the DHCP server, the Gateway information, etc. Since every router is different, you will have to check out the documentation that came with your router. You only need the computer to be able to talk to eachother, no need for anything to go though the WAN port that we spoke of earlier.

Assigning an IP Address

Inserting NIC