Home Networking: Wired LANs and Routers

What you need:

• Network adapters for all computers
• Network cables to connect the systems
• Network Hub or Switch to expand the number of connections
• Network printer: Share a local printer or Print server device or Network I/O option in the printer
• Router to share a broadband network connection to the Internet. (requires DSL or Cable modem and connection)
  

How To: Connect the Pieces

Two computers -

Two systems can be connected using a crossover patch cable between the network adapters Use straight-through cables to connect a computer to a hub, switch or router.

Two or more computers -

Use a network hub or switch to connect two or more computers together in a local area network (LAN). Hubs and switches can be connected together to expand the network.

Two or more computers
with a broadband Internet connection -

Use a router to connect your local area network (LAN) to the Internet or wide area network (WAN). Many routers include a built-in switch with multiple ports.

How To: Determine your Internet Protocol Address

How to: Find your IP address with Network Status
1. Open Network Connections in the control panel.
2. Double click on the Local Area Connection (or the name of the adapter.)
3. Select the Support tab to view the Address type, IP address, Subnet Mask and the Default Gateway.
4. Click on the Details button to view the Physical Address (MAC address) , DNS and WINS Server information.
5. Click Close when done.

How to: Find Your IP address with IPCONFIG
1. Open a Command Prompt window (Start, Programs, Accessories, Command Prompt or you can use Start, Run, enter CMD.EXE in the "Open:" box, and click OK.)
2. At the command prompt, type IPCONFIG and press enter. This will return the IP address, Subnet Mask, and Default Gateway for all Ethernet adapters.
3. To view the Physical Address, DNS server and other detail, enter IPCONFIG /ALL and press enter.

How To: Configure Internet Protocol (TCP/IP)

How to: configure a manual IP address
1. Open Network Connections from the Control Panel.
2. Right click on the network adapter and select Properties.
3. Locate "Internet Protocol (TCP/IP)" in the item list, and then click on Properties.
4. Click the selection to "Use the following IP address:"
5. Manually enter the IP address and subnet mask.
6. Click OK to save the changes; click OK to close the LAN adapter properties window.
7. Repeat the process for each system, using a unique IP address for each computer, printer or other device.

How to: configure for automatic DHCP addressing
1. Open Network Connections from the Control Panel.
2. Right click on the network adapter and select Properties.
3. Locate "Internet Protocol (TCP/IP)" in the item list, and then click on Properties.
4. Click the selection to "Obtain an IP address automatically" (Windows default).
5. Click the selection to "Obtain DNS server address automatically" (Windows default).
6. Click OK to save the changes; click OK to close the LAN adapter properties window.

How To: Share resources

How To: Share your files
1. Locate the folder to share, right click and select "Sharing and Security..."
2. Click on the "Sharing" tab.
3. Select "Share this folder on the network".
4. Enter a network name for the folder. (Keep the name under 12 characters to be compatible with earlier versions of Windows or non-windows systems.)
5. Select the option "Allow network users to change my files" if others will need to be able to modify the files you place in this directory, or if they need to be able to save files to your folder. Leave this unchecked for Read-Only access.
6. Click OK.

How To: Share your printer
1. Open "Printers and Faxes" from the control panel or Start, Settings menu.
2. Right click on the printer to share and select "Sharing".
3. Select "Share this printer".
4. Enter a network name to for the printer. (Keep the name under 12 characters to be compatible with earlier versions of Windows. Non-windows systems may not be able to use a Windows shared printer.)
5. Optional: Install additional printer drivers, or users can install drivers as needed from downloads or a driver CD.
6. Click OK.

How To: Access resources

How To: access a network folder
1. Open "My Computer".
2. In the Address bar, enter the remote computer's IP address and the network name of the folder in the format: \\<ServerAddress>\<FolderName> i.e. \\192.168.1.53\photos
3. Press enter or click "Go".

How To: use a printer shared by another computer
1. Open "Printers and Faxes".
2. Double click on "Add Printer".
3. Click Next.
4. Select "A network printer..."
5. Select "Connect to this printer".
6. Enter the remote computer's IP address and the network name of the printer in the format: \\<ServerAddress>\<PrinterName> i.e. \\192.168.1.53\hplj4
7. Click Next.
8. Choose whether to use this printer as the default printer and click Next.
9. Click "Finish".

How To: map a network folder to a drive letter
1. Open "My Computer".
2. From the "Tools" menu, select "Map Network Drive".
3. Select a drive letter if a specific one is desired. You cannot map to a physical drive, and if you choose an existing network mapped drive it will replace the old connection with the new one.
4. In the "Folder:" box, enter the remote computer's IP address and the network name of the folder in the format: \\<ServerAddress>\<FolderName> i.e. \\192.168.1.53\photos
5. If you want to connect to this folder each time Windows starts, select the box "Reconnect at logon".
6. Click "Finish".

How To: access the router's setup menus
1. Determine the IP Address of the gateway using IPCONFIG or Network Status.
2. Open an Internet browser window.
3. Enter the gateway address in the address bar and press enter.
4. Enter the user name and or password to access the router menus.

How To: use a printer that is directly connected to the network
Note: If your printer uses a setup program to install drivers, do this first. If you have been using the printer connected directly to your system, then the drivers should already be installed.
1. Open "Printers and Faxes".
2. Double click on "Add Printer".
3. Click Next.
4. Select "A local printer attached to this computer", and click Next.
5. Select "Create a new port", Choose "Standard TCP/IP Port" for the type of port. Click Next to start the wizard. a. Click Next. b. Enter the IP address of the printer. i.e. 192.168.1.10 This is the IP address that you configured on the printer itself or through the router or device menus. c. Click Next. Verify your settings and click Finish.
6. Change the port back to "Use the following port"; select your new port from the list and click Next. i.e. IP_192.168.1.10
7. Select the printer make and model from the list or use "Have Disk" to install from a CD.
8. Accept or assign a name, and then choose whether to use this printer as the default printer and click Next.
9. Print a test page to test the connection.
10. Click "Finish".

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