If you have more then one PC at home or if you have a laptop a home network makes sense. its nice to be able to move around the house (and outside your house) and still get your email and be on the Internet. Setting up a home network doesn't take a lot of work, but keeping it secure and troubleshooting that network isn't as easy.
In this blog lets talk about setting up a network to share files and printers. In the next blog we'll discuss securing the network - especially a wireless network. The router takes your Internet and spreads it out over the network. The switch allows for more then one PC to be on the network and assigns an IP (Internet Protocol) address to each PC so that they can be seen by the other PCs. We like Linksys, Belkin or Netgear router/switches. Simple to set up and generally reliable. They all have 4 ports for PCs, which is plenty for most homes. The router/switch can support just wired connections or wired AND wireless connections (a wireless router)
After getting your router/switch, follow the directions to set it up. Usually this is a matter of putting in a CD and following the directions. Now you have to connect your PC's to the router via Ethernet cable or by having a wireless adapter (most new laptops have this internally). Once you are connected to the network you have to setup a workgroup and then share something on your PC (folder or printer) so that you can work with other PCs. Note these instructions are for Windows XP only.
You set up a workgroup by right clicking My Computer, then Properties. Then Click on Computer Name and Change. Now pick a name for this PC and then choose a workgroup name. Note the workgroup name MUST be the same on all PCs, but the PC name should of course be different for each PC. After clicking OK you have to reboot the PC. To share a folder or printer you need to go to that printer via My Computer, My Documents or in the case of a Printer - Control Panel, Printers and Faxes. You then right click on the item and then Sharing and security. From here you may have to tell the system you want to share Items (just share!) Eventually you'll get to a box that says share this Folder/Printer. Give it a name and you are ready to Network. This procedure has to be done on all Networked PCs.
Now you can double click on My Computer, My Network Places and View Network Computer. Viola!
Next up Wireless security.
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