How to... Setup a home network

A guide to setting up a home network

Author:  Paul Landers

There's no doubt about it, setting up a home network can be a difficult and frustrating experience. You'd be forgiven if you've tried in the past and simply given-up in confusion and anger. The first time I tried, a few years ago, I did just that - I quit in frustration. I gave it a month or so before I tried again, this time successfully. I've set up a few home networks since then and figured out that, more than anything else, patience and pre-preparation are paramount.

I've "rescued" a number of friends who've simply gone out and bought home networking kits and/or components and then tried to set up their home networks. Some have simply wasted their money by doing so.

The first thing you must do when contemplating your home network is determining why you want or need a home network and what you want it to do. That, in turn, will determine the components you need to build your home network.

Let's start at the beginning. A typical home network consists of two or more computers, one or more printer/s and an Internet connection, all happily interacting with each other. So far so good. Now you need to determine how they all interact. Does the Internet connection and printer remain connected to the first computer and the second computer simply "shares" them through the first computer? That scenario means that the first computer must remain on at all times while the second computer is in use (in other words, the second computer does not have access to the Internet and/or printer when the first computer is switched off). Or, does the Internet connection and printer work independently of the first computer, regardless of it being switched on or off? This is a far more desirable scenario (obviously), but it will require additional components to do so. I recommend you select this option now because you'll wish you did when you set up your network and begin using it.

Next you need to consider whether your network will be a wired or wireless one. The components for each will obviously be different. My preferance is a wireless network, the small additional cost of which far outweighs the inconvenience of wires all over the house. Additionally, my experience with home network "kits" which use telephone jacks and/or power points are that they are extremely limiting, and their users' soon move to an Ethernet network (which is the one we're going to set up now).

Our home network consists of 3 laptop computers, 2 printers (a black and white laser printer and a color bubblejet printer) and a broadband Internet connection. We have a wireless network in which everything works independently of everything else. That way we can work on any one of the laptops, with full access to the Internet and printers, regardless of the other laptops being on or off. Additionally, because we have a wireless home network, we can use our laptops anywhere we choose - up to and including our back yard! Yes, we can surf the Internet, read our emails and print documents, all from the back yard!

So, let's go ahead and see what we need.

Network Interface Cards:  For your computers to connect to a network, they need a network card (sometimes referred to an Ethernet card or Ethernet adapter) to do so. These days, most computers come with in-built network cards. If your computer doesn't have one and you don't want to open your computer to install it, look at getting one with an USB adapter, you simply plug it in to a USB port on your computer (but you may not get optimum network speed unless you use USB 2.0). Install it, and any accompanying software, as per the manufacturer's instructions. You may be required to copy files from your Windows Installation CD, so have that handy.

If you're contemplating a wireless network, your computers will need a wireless (or Wi-Fi which is short for Wireless Fidelity) capability. If you don't have a Wi-Fi capability on your computer/s, you'll need to get either a Wi-Fi card or a Wi-Fi adapter. Look for one with an USB adapter if you don't want to open your computer to install it (again, you may not get optimum network speed unless you use USB 2.0). Install it, and the accompanying software, as per the manufacturer's instructions. Again, you may be required to copy files from your Windows Installation CD, so keep that handy.

A USB network adapter

Your computer/s should be "network ready" before you do anything else, so ensure that you have successfully installed any network cards and/or adapters first. After you have installed the cards and/or adatpers, visit the manufacturer's web site and check whether there are any updates for the hardware you just installed. If there are, download and install the update/s as per the manufacturer's instructions.

You can read a more detailed article about USB here. If you don't know whether you have the right networking capability on your computer/s, I recommend you download and run the Belarc Advisor on your computer/s. It's a free software utility that will tell you exactly what hardware and software is installed in your computer. Under the Communications sub-heading in the Belarc Advisor audit report, you can find out which networking components you already have. You can find the Belarc Advisor here. You can read a more detailed article about downloading and installing software here.

Router:  To share your Internet connection and resources between 2 or more computers you'll need a router. A router provides a "gateway" or "access point" to and from the Internet and between computers. Quite simply, it "routes" your network signals between computers and connections on your network, ensuring that each signal gets to the right place.

Typical wireless router showing 1 Internet port and 4 Ethernet ports 

The type of router that you'll need will depend on the type of network you're installing - wired or wireless. A home network router will have an Internet connection port as well as a number (usually 4) of Ethernet ports. A wireles router will have a wireless capability built in. The Internet connection port will connect to your Internet, broadband or cable modem. The Ethernet ports will connect to the network cards or adapters on your computer/s.

If you're going wireless, you need to be aware of, and stick with, the right wireless standard. Again, run the Belarc Advisor on your computer/s and determine which wireless standard/s you have. Look in the Communications sub-heading of the Belarc Advisor audit report and note your wireless standard - you should see 802.11a, 802.11b or 802.11g or a combination of them. These are the wireless protocols that your computer supports. Most computers support 802.11g which is currently the most accepted/used protocol. Make a note of the protocol/s that your computer supports and ensure that the router you purchase supports that same protocol.

Before you install your router, ensure you have a paper and pen handy to make a note of the addresses, IDs, passwords etc that you'll be using, and do make a note of all of them all, you'll be needing them later (and it's a nuisance to try and retrieve them later). You'll also need the login and password that you use to connect to the Internet. You may also need your Windows Installation CD, so keep that beside you as well.

Install your router exactly as per the manufacturer's instructions. Make a note of all IDs and addresses that you use and/or are given. After you have successfully installed your router, visit the manufacturer's web site and download and install any updates recommended by the manufacturer. At this point, you should be able to access the Internet via the computer from which you installed the router.

 Print Server:  If your network plan includes being able to print from any computer without the main computer being switched on, you'll need a print server to access and manage the network traffic to the printer. The word "server" seems to translate to "big and expensive" in most minds - it's neither. A home network print server can be as small as the palm of an average hand, and it will probably cost less than your router.

Typical home print server

Your print server connects to your router via an Ethernet port and to your printer via a Parallel port or an USB port. You'll need to check your printer to determine whether it has a parallel connection or an USB connection, and then select a print server with the same connection.

Many routers have an in-built print server. If you select one of these routers, ensure that it has the same connection type (parallel or USB) as your printer.

Connect your print server exactly as per the manufacturer's instructions. After you have successfully installed your print server, visit the manufacturer's web site and check for any recommended updates. If there are, download and install them as per the instructions.

 Cables:  If your network is the wired type, you're probably going to need additional cables. Ensure you have enough of the right types of cables to connect everything. You'll need:

• an Ethernet cable (also known as RJ45 or Patch Cable) to connect your router to your Internet modem (you should already have this one - it's connecting your computer to your Internet modem).
• one Ethernet cable for each computer that you plan to connect to your router. Ensure your selected cables are the right length for each computer.
• an Ethernet cable to connect your print server to your router. Check whether your router and/or print server comes with any cables.

Ethernet (RJ45 or patch) cable and plugs

You're now at a point where you can add another computer to your network. If you've followed the instructions for installing your new devices, you'll probably agree that it hasn't been too difficult to this point. Unfortunately, when it comes to adding another computer to your network, things can get a little complex and confusing. Windows XP assumes a certain (and incorrect) level of knowledge of networking from it's users. Unless you're a networking expert you're likely to give up in disgust when adding a computer to your network.

Thankfully there's help available. Ever since we were recommended the product, we've used Network Magic to install and manage every home network we've been a part of. Quite frankly, I would not contemplate setting-up or running a home network without it. Network Magic is an inexpensive software program which greatly simplifies the whole networking concept, from installation of devices through to network management and security. You can get a free version of Network Magic, which is fully functional for 7 days before it reverts to a "lite" version with limited functionality. After you see what it does though, you soon justify paying for the full version. If you're running a wireless network, Network Magic is not an option, it's a necessity - for it's network security management, if nothing else. We simply cannot recommend this product highly enough for everyone with a home network. You can find out more about it here.

Once you've downloaded Network Magic, you can install additional computers and/or devices to your network simply by following the prompts in the "Add a device to my network" option. Remember to keep all your login, password, IDs and addresses (that you noted earlier) handy. It's at this point that you'll need them.

Along the way, you will aslo be asked to:

• Choose a Workgroup name - this is simply a name which identifies your network. Choose any name that makes sense to you. Ours is Landers (I'm Paul Landers, the author of this article and my wife is Tina Landers).
• Choose a name for each computer - again, this is simply a name which identifies each computer on your network. Ours are Tina, Paul and Kids.
• Choose a name for each printer - again, this is simply a name which identifies each printer on the network. Ours are Brother and Canon (our printers' brands).

Once you've set up your network, you need to ensure it's (and your) security. Again, use the options in Network Magic to guide you through the process.

If your network is a wireless one, ensure it's encrypted and locked so that no-one else can get access. Use Network Magic to complete this process.

And lastly, you must ensure that every computer on your network is protected by a "Firewall". We use and recommend Zone Alarm. It's a tried and trusted firewall that's well priced and easy to use and understand. There's even a free version offering basic protection. You can find the free version here and the full version here.