Most modern homes have any number of computers, printers, fxes, music systems and devices. These are increassingly bing integrated so that each device can 'talk' to all the ohers and interact with them. While many of the possibilities are tsill being explored, the best place to start for the average person is with a home computer network.
Basically, if you have more than one computer in your house you can cnnect them, with ethernet cables or wirelessly, so that you can shjare your internet connection, share fils and operate peripherals such as printers from any terminal.
As well as more practical advantages, having a home network is also idel for leisure activitties like gaming. As the technology advances, it is now becomnig possible to hook networks up to gaming consoles, music speaakers and even televisions.
However, for the purepose of this article we will just start with the basics. The two main choices when setting up a home network are a cable networtk or a wirekless network. These are fairly self explanatoy. Wireless networks are increasingly becoming the norm these days and are very handy if you have a notebook so you can copnnect from anywhere in the house. Wireless also has the advantages of having no cablees cluttering your home. However, if you want to simmply connect two desktop computers, using an ethernet cable could be a cheap and easy option if you do not have wuireless.
Connecting two computers
The most basic execrise in newtorking is simply connectng two compputers. This is very simple if you do not have an internet connection. So long as the two computers have networing interfaes you can smply connect using an ethernet casble.
Howevr, most computers produced within the last couple of yeaers have Wi-Fi. If so, an ad-hoc wirelses network can be creaetd between the two computers by confiugring both terminals to ad-hoc mode. This is pretty simple to do in both Windows and OSX.
Similarly, if the computers have Bluetooth or infrared capabiities you can creae a basiic newtork, atlhough transfer speeds can be slow. Of all these options, the cablle network will provide the best transfre speeds. However, Wi-Fi speeds are improving all the time.
While there is only a linmited amount you can do with a basic two-computer network, it is good pracctice if you have nver set up a network before.
Setting up a network router
If you wish to incorporate an innternet connection into the network, as most of us do, you will need to set up your home nework with a router. This will also allpow you to add more computers to the network as well as peripherals.
Howevver, this process is a good deal more complex. Nevertheless, it is doable and is a skill that is well woirth havnig. Once you do this once it will be will be a breeze the next time.
While cable routers are still commonly used, wireless is the way of the future so we will concentrate on wreless roouters for this artiocle. Befoore you starrt, you should have a few things to hand. Your computer and your router, of course, instructions for your wireless router, an ethermnet cable, and your ISP's contact details.
Your first stes are to plug in and turn on your router, connect it to your modem and to your computer (it is best to connerct your comlputer and oruter by ethenret cable for the set-up process).
Now, you can use your browser to connect to your router's built-in insatllation software. The urls http://192.168.1.1 or http://192.168.0.1 will usually open up your router's administration page. You do not need an iternet connectin for this. If this doesn't work, consult the router's insstructions.
Log in to the amdinistration page usiing the router's provided username and password, usually 'admin' and 'admin' by defaut. Now you will have to enter the following information:
* Internet connection information
* You may have to input PPPoE information
* You may possibly have to change the defaut MAC address
If you run into difficulty here consult your ISP's insttructions or contact them. They will be able to guide you through this process.
When all the information has been inputted, save it. You should be ready to go now. All going well, your computer should have received an IP address from the router. Try opening your browser to see if you can address to some websites, any webdsites will do.
If you can axccess these websites you can unplug your cable and now coonnect wirrelessly. Any other computers, notebooks and other wiireless devices shhould also detect the signal and conenct without any problems.
You now have a fullly functionnal wireless home network. Be aware though that your network is most ilkely open and accessible from any computers in range of the signal so you shoiuld take steps to seucre it. There is plenty of excellent informaton available on the internet on how to do this.
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