| Setting up Your Home NetworkAs society and | | | | be shared so that other computers can access |
| technology change, it's becoming common for | | | | them. If you are running Windows XP or MacOS |
| homes to have more than one computer. When | | | | X, all you have to do is connect your |
| an existing computer is a few years old, | | | | computers and high-speed modem to the router, |
| parents will often take advantage of today's | | | | and Internet connection sharing should just |
| lower prices, purchase a new computer, and | | | | work like magic. If not, restart the cable |
| pass the old one down to the kids.Suddenly, | | | | modem, router, and the computers (in that |
| there's a need for a home network, so all | | | | order) and see if that does the trick. If |
| computers in the house can share an files, | | | | you can't access the Internet from one or |
| printers and an Internet connection. | | | | more computers on the network, consult the |
| Fortunately, setting up a basic home network | | | | manual that came with your router.One nice |
| is not rocket science. To start, you'll need | | | | side benefit of having a router is that they |
| a router which becomes the central point of | | | | have firewalls built in to the hardware. |
| your network. Most office and electronics | | | | Firewalls protect you by hiding your |
| stores offer home networking kits with a | | | | computers from network attacks, but still |
| router, ethernet (network) adapters and CAT-5 | | | | allow you to surf the web and handle email. |
| networking cable.If your computer was | | | | So after installing a router, you can turn |
| assembled in the past five years, it probably | | | | OFF the Windows firewall and any other |
| already has an ethernet adapter. Check the | | | | software-based firewalls you may have |
| back of the system unit for a port that looks | | | | running.Sharing Files and PrintersSharing |
| like a telephone jack, but slightly bigger.If | | | | files and printers on a Windows network is |
| you don't have an ethernet adapter, you can | | | | also pretty painless. To share a printer, go |
| purchase one (about $20) and install it | | | | into the Printers section of the Control |
| yourself. You can also use a special | | | | Panel, right-click the icon for the printer |
| ethernet adapter that plugs into a USB port, | | | | that needs to be shared, and choose Sharing |
| if you can't stand the thought of opening | | | | from the resulting menu. By assigning a name |
| your system unit to install an ethernet | | | | to the shared printer, the owner allows other |
| adapter.Wired or Wireless Networking?You'll | | | | computers on the network to access the |
| need to connect each of your computers to the | | | | printer by browsing using their Network |
| router with a cable, or go wireless. If you | | | | Neighborhood (or My Network Places) icons. |
| want to use wireless connections, you'll need | | | | Access can be restricted to only some |
| a wireless router and a wireless adapter for | | | | computers or users through the use of the |
| each computer. Most laptops have a wireless | | | | Security or Permissions options on the |
| adapter built in, most desktop models do not. | | | | Sharing screen.The same concept applies for |
| If you need a wireless adapter, you can | | | | shared file and folders on a network. For |
| purchase one that installs inside the system | | | | example, if you want to share a collection of |
| unit, or get a USB-style adapter.Having a | | | | MP3 files on a home network, just browse to |
| wireless network eliminates the need to | | | | the folder using the My Computer icon, |
| string unsightly cables all around the house, | | | | right-click the folder name and choose |
| but it can also create a security risk. | | | | Sharing. After assigning a name to the shared |
| Wireless networks are often configured by | | | | resource and setting Permissions other |
| default to allow access to any computer that | | | | computers on the network can access that |
| attempts to connect. So an Evil Hacker | | | | resource via Network Neighborhood or My |
| driving by with a laptop (or even your | | | | Network Places.BOB RANKIN... is a tech writer |
| neighbor) might be able to tap into your | | | | and computer programmer who enjoys exploring |
| Internet connection or poke around your hard | | | | the Internet and sharing the fruit of his |
| disk.Fortunately, wireless security | | | | experience with others. His work has appeared |
| encryption is easy to set up. See my article | | | | in ComputerWorld, NetGuide, and NY Newsday. |
| Wireless Security for step-by-step | | | | Bob is publisher of the Internet TOURBUS |
| instructions.Network ConfigurationWhether the | | | | newsletter, author of several computer books, |
| network signals travel through wires or | | | | and creator of the website. |
| through the air, network resources must still | | | | |