Sharing on a Network

Where are you in planning and installing your network? Do you already have computers that you want to connect? Do you have one printer that everyone in the house would like to share? Is having only one Internet connection a problem? You can share computers, printers, Internet connections, and more by installing a network in your home.

Do you need help choosing and buying the necessary networking equipment? Perhaps the equipment is already installed, but you’re unfamiliar with networking with Windows 98 or Windows XP. You might have your network up and running but want to add an intranet and e-mail technologies, Wireless-g protocol, power line networking enhancements, universal serial bus (USB) hubs and adapters, and the future of networking. Hear You Will find greater detail on how to lay cabling, place wireless access points, configure computers (include Linux and Macs), share Internet connections, and more.

This post presents an overview of the steps you need to plan your network. This chapter gives you an idea of the decisions and assessments ahead of you. You’ll need to consider what you already have, what equipment and hardware you want to share among your family or your small-business network, and what type of network benefits your situation. This chapter also presents a roadmap that helps you target the area in the book that will help you the most.

Overview of the Process

When you decide to connect your home computers to form a network,

You have to ask yourself many questions.

✦ what type of network will you use?
✦ what operating systems do you have?
✦ which operating systems do you want to add?
✦ How much money do you want to spend?
✦ What type of hardware and software is best for what you want to do?

The list goes on and on. PC-Hardware-Networking Blog can help you make these decisions and more. PC-Hardware-Networking Blog presents information, definitions, possibilities, and advice about setting up and running your home network. You may want to set up a quick and inexpensive network to enable file sharing between your desktop and laptop computers. You may want to build a more complex network that includes a server, six workstations, multiple printers, and other shared resources. In either case, you’ll find the information you need in this book. As you read PC-Hardware-Networking Blog, you’ll run across topics such as cabling, installing networking hardware and software, and adding applications to your system. You’ll learn about choosing cabling, network cards, and other equipment. You’ll even find out how to share your Internet account with everyone else on the network. You probably have the beginnings of a network already: computers, a printer or two, and perhaps other resources. In addition, ne of the most important reasons to have a network is to share resources, such as hard drive space, a printer, a CD-RW, and so on. Taking an inventory of your current equipment can help you make wise choices about what to purchase and what to share on your new network.

An important decision you must make before you begin putting together your network is whether to build a network using a server. There are advantages and disadvantages of both types of networking. Just so you’ll understand what you’re getting yourself into, the following sections present abbreviated steps for setting up a network.