Anyone in IT can let you know the most common question they get from family and friends and 'non-geeks' are about networking. Even in today's day of plug-and-play technology, home networks could be confusing.
Fear not, intrepid computer neophyte. It's a lot easier to setup than you could possibly believe.
The first thing you should know 's what you need your network to get competent at. Are you just going to share Internet between several computers? Maybe a printer too? Are your computers able to wireless connections or would they need wired ones?
- Wireless Router
Most likely you'll be wanting a variety of wired and wireless. That means a radio router, which you can buy at any office store or electronics outlet. They aren't very costly, although the more functionality you would like, greater you'll pay. For most home networks, a simple wireless router inside $40 budget range may perhaps be sufficient.
This router could be the 'hub' or base on your network. To it, every one of the wires from different things connecting arrive. It's also the place that the wireless send-receive action will happen.
- Incoming Internet
No matter how your Internet comes to your house, it's likely getting into a modem of some kind. Cable, DSL (phone), or wireless connections often are received centrally with a small box that has an input with an output. The output are usually in CAT 5 (network cable) as well as your router will have a clearly marked 'In' line for it to plug into.
Once those two are connected, your Internet is ready for sharing.
- Computers
Most every computer sold today either has wireless connectivity (built-in WiFi) or a network communications card with the accessible plug for the network cable. Desktops are generally ready for wired network connections while notebooks and laptops will most likely have WiFi and frequently a cable plug also.
Plug these units into the router when you think fit. If you're using Windows or even an Apple OS, you'll likely have a very connection wizard appear automatically to create the required connections in your case. If you're using Linux, you need to run the networking application that's that are part of your distinct desktop to ascertain vital - often re-decorating automatic.
- Printers
Sharing printers is generally pretty easy. The printer usually connects to at least one in the computers around the network. By designating becoming 'shared', it may be given to other computers quickly. Sometimes you will end up prompted to download and install driver software on each computer, but today's more modern printers are often stand-alone and don't require this. Some can plug in the network themselves, being computer-free.
- Other Devices
A large amount of other things can share your own home network now too. DVR boxes, Netflix receivers, game consoles, plus more. Most of these will be able to hook up to your WiFi or wired connection without much trouble.
- Troubleshooting
The most popular challenge with wireless networks is range. In the home, the specific range (versus what are the manufacturer claims) can often be not too far. In this case, repeaters or maybe more routers may be used to extend the product range. You can also string wires to the people areas and make them plug-in spaces.
Computers can't communicate or are missing Internet connections is an additional problem. Most from the time, this is because of poor naming conventions for your individual systems or possibly a downside to the workgroup's name. Make sure everything is spelled correctly and matches on all systems. Another very common problem is always to have IP conflicts where two systems have the identical IP address. This is especially true on Windows networks the place that the IP is dynamically set for each system on startup. The fix for this can be to provide fixed IP addresses for the systems that are generally always on (such as a main desktop) and let the peripheral systems go dynamic.
File and printer sharing is another issue that always gets missed. Be sure it's verified and placed on all systems which are with all the network (esp. Windows systems).
Hopefully this quick-and-dirty DIY guide assists you to get your network set up quickly. In most homes, a good network can be put together approximately $100 and in a couple of hours.
13 February 2019
Disqus Comments