Setting up a Home Network

How do you set up a home network? Well here is the checklist and the requirements for whatever your going to set up. Whether it is one HOME machine or a Family network, this will at least get you pointed in the right direction, of course the possibilities are nearly endless.

One Home Machine? Only have one machine that you want connected to the internet?

Step one you will need a Modem.

A modem is the device that the Internet signal first comes to and translates the Internet signal into a language that your computer can understand. This can be any kind of device that receives the Internet signal, a wireless card picking up WIFI, an Air Card, a Cable connected Modem (TV Cable), or even a DSL (Phone Line) Modem or a Blue tooth, Dial Up (Analog Phone Line)service or Cellphone Internet.

The device that these connections first touch is the Modem. This can only be used to connect ONE machine to the Internet at a time, unless you are one of the lucky few that have a MULTI- PORT Modem (Allowing more than one Wire or Wireless connection through this one unit). Or you are a VERY advanced user and know how to turn your one main computer into a ROUTER and feed the Internet connection to other computers through other means. Not for the beginner.

Wireless Connection? Are you connecting to WIFI on a built in wireless card? Easy, click on connect to Internet when one is available and hit connect. Be sure to remember to disconnect from it when you leave to avoid leaving open doors. See more here under Wireless Security.

Does your Internet company offer a Wireless Modem? If they do then the Internet signal should already be there and secure. Matter of fact you will likely need to have a loggin user name and password to access it for the first time. Once set up it will detect this connection every time you are with in range of it. The bonus here is that with this kind of Modem/ Router, you can connect other computers to this same wireless signal, all they have to do is sign in the access codes and they are online too. Be sure to see details on Wireless Security here, and also know that some Internet providers will prevent you from having multiple machine connected to one modem, ask them for details.

Broadband Cable? With this kind of connection you will be connected through an Ethernet cable that runs from the Internet modem to your machine. Some Modems will allow you to connect multiple machines onto one unit, and as I have mentioned before, some Internet providers want you to have one box per computer in your home. The computer should automatically see your Internet connection without much fiddling and be up and running in minutes.

Broadband DSL? With this kind of connection you will be connected through an Ethernet cable that runs from the Internet modem to your machine. Some Modems will allow you to connect multiple machines onto one unit, and as I have mentioned before, some Internet providers want you to have one box per computer in your home. The computer should automatically see your Internet connection without much fiddling and be up and running in minutes.

Dial up? With this type of service you will need working phone lines and be sure that you have the appropriate software from the Internet provider. Dial up can be a complicated process and is a very slow form of Internet connection. A popular misunderstanding is that you can't access your AOL e-mail account without having AOL service, this is not true. E-mail is based on the Internet and you can access this on any computer in the world by typing in the Internet site of the e-mail account and logging in. If you have dial up because you have no other choice, you may want to look into satellite service or perhaps cell phone Internet look into other options for faster Internet and good luck.

(If there is something I missed or you want more information on something just ask.)

Multiple Computers in the House? Have more than one computer in the house? Tired of flipping a cable from one computer to the other? Sometimes this will fail as the Modem reads and stores your IP Address in it under your MAC Id. In laymans terms this means that the first computer that is attached to the Modem is permanently stored in your device and won't issue other IP addresses to other machines. This is why they invented the Router.

FOLLOW the "one home machine" steps above and then be sure you have a ROUTER. You need a Router when you are planning to connect more than one computer to the same SINGLE Internet connection that you presently have. For all the types of Internet connection and be sure you have one machine configured and setup with all the needed services for your Internet. This applies to Wireless Connection? Broadband Cable? Broadband DSL? Yes, all of them.

(Does this include Dial up? Um, no sorry.)

A lot of Cable Internet providers try to limit how many computers you have connected to their network and using a ROUTER may not work. These companies require you to purchase a separate MODEM for each computer your running in the HOUSE. Shame on them.

For the rest of you, once again you will need a ROUTER.~

What we are doing with this ROUTER is basically using it as a MIDDLE man for your Internet connection, where it can tell the difference between all the computers attached or connected to it and direct them to and from the Internet without confusing the TRAFFIC.

Imagine each of your home computers is a car and it is going through your Router and being directed to the Internet without running into the other computers on your NETWORK. A network is basically two or more machines or devices connected by Wires or wireless signals for the purpose of sharing functionality, information or other connections.

Example a printer that can be used by all people in an office or in a home is considered a Network Printer. As many computers connected together by wires or wireless sound waves by the same HUB or Router is also known as a Network.

There are other devices called HUB's. Don't get a HUB. The HUB is like a Router, but does not have the ability to keep your computers information from getting confused with others over the Network and onto the Internet. You will have problems unless you get a ROUTER.

Technicians joke that a HUB is Dumb as a Router is SMART. As the one can direct traffic and the other can not without messing up everything it touches. Once you have one machine connected to the Internet and all is up and running well, you then insert the Router between the MAIN computer and the Modem.

The Modem connects to the Router's IN Ethernet PORT, from the Modems OUT Ethernet PORT. Thus continuing the chain for the extended connection to come.

You then need to run your Routers Ethernet OUT channels vary from model to model they run from 1 to 4, any one will work, but to save on confusion- we will use PORT 1.

Take these steps even if you are going to be using wireless eventually, you need to first set up the Router on a wire. For more details on Wireless set-ups, as some Routers need updated Firmware and patches to work on VISTA machines, you can search your Router community feed backs at http://www.google.com/ , or contact your Router manufacturer.

Assuming all settings mesh with your machine, once plugged into the Router, run your Router software (or run the software, following their instructions, as sometimes you CONNECT to the Router after the Software is already run). This should then guide you to set up the Router settings and Internet protocols. Your Router is now connecting like your computer used to and now your being "ROUTED" like traffic to the Internet through the Router to the Modem into the Internet. Whee.

OK, next if you have Wireless on another machine or you want to run another wire to another unit, you can do so. The Router will read the other computers MAC address and issue it an IP address unique to that computer. Thus keeping your Internet "Cars" and traffic separated as you come and go from the Internet. See Wireless Security for more on making sure your air waves are secured and safe and the dangers of not having a secured WIRELESS router.

You can do this on Printers and other devices on the network in your Home or Office. You now also have the ability to share files and folders and images over your network to others in the house. I know some parents that even monitor their children's computer surfing and research habits through using REMOTE Assistance on the Home Network. the sky is the limit, you can connect home functions and appliances, heating and lighting controls, stereos and TVs.

Use your imagination! Have fun! Welcome to your own home network!