Set up a home network

Last week [1] we introduced you to some networking terms and technologies. This week, we will show you how to start building your network.

In these instructions we discuss how to setup a network for sharing the Internet, but if you only want to setup a network for sharing files and printers without broadband, simply leave out the broadband modem and these instructions will still apply.

One term we did not define last week was 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 $10-25. A wireless NIC will cost around $40.

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 4 Port Switch. This type of router allows for maximum flexibility in setting up your network.(brand isn't very important)
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 brand 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.

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

Make sure at least one computer is currently connected directly to your cable or DSL modem and the Internet is working properly.
Insert the router CD and start the wizard, which will make sure that your Internet connection is active.
Unplug the ethernet cable from the back of your computer and insert it into the port marked WAN on the back of the router
Now take one of your extra ethernet cables and plug it between ports 1, 2, 3, or 4 and the back of your computer
Plug the power into the back of the router
Follow the rest of the instructions on your router's wizard
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.

Read all the tips in this series below:

Set up a home network - Part I [2]

Set up a home network - Part III [3]

Set up a home network - Part IV [4]

If this helped, consider buying me a beer or an Americano! [5]