There are plenty of variables to setting up a home network: selecting the right topology for your needs, installing the hardware and software, configuring everything to work well together. You may have computers running operating systems other than Windows XP, or you may have a Macintosh® computer—the good news is that your Windows XP network is capable of working with all of them. We'll show you how to set up a new network using a Windows XP computer. First, we'll look at setting up the three biggest network types (called technologies) and point out some special considerations you'll need to make when choosing one.
Setting up a computer with Windows XP
Let's look at what it takes to get a network started. Chances are you have one computer that's already connected to the Internet, to a printer, and to most of the devices you use frequently. If this is your newest and most powerful computer, it makes sense to start there when you're setting up a new network—your most powerful computer is the best choice as the central point in the network. If it's running Windows XP, the Network Setup Wizard helps you to do this.
The Windows XP Network Setup Wizard
The Network Setup Wizard automates some of the tasks involved in setting up a home network. It's especially effective with Ethernet® networks, saving you the trouble of configuring some of the other computers on the network. You'll have to make sure all your hardware is connected properly and ready to go, but much of the behind-the-scenes work is handled for you. The Network Setup Wizard has been improved for Windows XP Service Pack 2 (SP2). Launch it by opening Control Panel and clicking the icon.
The Wireless Network Setup Wizard in Windows XP SP2
This new wizard helps you set up a wireless network by copying configuration information to a USB flash drive that you can then insert into each additional computer or network device. Launch the Wireless Network Setup Wizard in Windows XP SP2 by opening Control Panel and clicking the icon.
Internet Connection Sharing
If you don't yet have network hardware, an alternative is a Windows XP feature called Internet Connection Sharing (ICS). ICS lets you connect one of your computers to the Internet and then surf the Web from any other computer on your network. For best results, you should consider buying router hardware, but ICS does allow you to share a connection.
Types of home networks
There are five well-known types of home networking technologies. We looked at some of the advantages and disadvantages of each technology in our introduction; for more general information, you may want to check there. Here, we'll focus on what's involved in connecting computers for the three main types of network
Ethernet network: what you'll need For two computers:
- Network cards for each computer
- Crossover cable
Networking only two computers together? With Ethernet technology, a two-computer network is the simplest of all to install. Each computer needs an Ethernet network card inside, and then you can run a crossover cable between them. That's it! It's not much different than plugging an appliance into the wall. Note that an Ethernet crossover cable is not the same thing as an Ethernet patch cable. We'll cover patch cables next.
For three or more computers:
- Network cards for each computer
- Patch cables for each computer
- Ethernet hub, switch, or router
When you want multiple computers to talk to each other, you'll need a hub or a switch, and patch cables to connect each computer to it. Hubs cost less, but with switches you can send and receive data more quickly when many people are on the network simultaneously. The difference can become apparent if you network four or more computers (this is a very rough rule of thumb). On the low end, you can find hubs that will support as many as 16 computers for under $100, but on the high end, you can easily spend several hundred dollars for a multi-port Fast Ethernet or Gigabit Ethernet switch.
All varieties of 802.11 networks: what you'll need For an infrastructure network:
- pc Card 802.11 for each laptop computer
- 802.11 network card for each desktop computer
- Access point
An infrastructure network can be any kind of 802.11 network. An infrastructure network uses an access point—a hardware device that data moves through as it goes from one computer on the network to another. Often, you can connect to the Internet from your access point. Check with your Internet service provider (ISP) to see whether you can make this work.
802.11a (54 Mbps) networks
802.11a is about five times faster than 802.11b, which operates at 11 megabits per second (Mbps). It's also more expensive, but if you want to set up a whole new network from scratch, it's just as easy as setting up an all-802.11b network. If you want to add a fast new machine to an existing 802.11b network, you'll need a special adapter, which can be very pricey.
What makes 802.11a unique among Wi-Fi networks is that it runs at 5.0 gigahertz (GHz) instead of 2.4 GHz. (This is the main reason you need an adapter to run it in combination with other Wi-Fi networks.) This prevents interference problems with most cordless phones, which often run at 2.4 GHz or 5.8 GHz. Many phones and access points also allow you to change the channel, which often helps this problem.
802.11g (54 Mbps) networks
An 802.11g adapter can't make 802.11b computers move data any more quickly. You'll only see top speeds between computers if you use 802.11g computer and an 802.11g adapter.
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