Believe it or not, you can set up your own Local Area Network at home or at your personal business for a cost well within anyone's budget. The wonderful features of this little innovation are the ability to share your printers and files with anyone else on your LAN, and, if you like, sharing your internet connection. Here is how you do it:
HARDWARE: For a 2 workstation network, all you need are 2 Ethernet cards (about $15 each) and a Ethernet `crossover' (reverse polarity) cable. For a larger network, you need a Ethernet `router' (`smart junction box' containing 4, 8, or 16 ports) and enough cards and `regular' Ethernet cables to connect all of your workstations to the hub. There are also `wireless' LAN's available for home use for a very reasonable cost.
SOFTWARE: The only software required is Windows XP and the drivers that come with your Ethernet cards or wireless USB connectors.
INSTALLATION/CONFIGURATION:
Network cards: Plug the network cards into an empty PCI slot on your motherboard. When you boot up you will get a `new hardware found' message at which time you insert the floppy that came with your NIC in your `A:\' drive. Windows will install all of the required drivers in your `control panel\network' setup.
Windows: The only operating system configuration required is in your `control panel\network' setup.
1): Logon: Set logon to "Client for Microsoft networks".
2): File and print sharing: Enable file and print sharing by placing a check in the appropriate boxes.
3): Identification: Give the workstation a UNIQUE name and the workgroup a name COMMON TO ALL WORKSTATIONS ON THE NETWORK.
Hardware: Simply plug one end of the network cables into the Ethernet cards and the other end into the router or other workstation (for a 2 workstation network).
Sharing: You set up file sharing by using Win Explorer, right clicking on the folders to be shared, select `sharing', and then specifying what name you want the folder to be `shared as' (select `full' sharing for complete access form other PCs). Printer sharing is done the same way in `My Computer>Printers'. After sharing has been enabled, a little hand will appear under the folder or printer being shared.
Mapping: After sharing has been set up, it is necessary to `map' (connect) remote workstations to the folders or printers being shared.
Shared folders can be manually accessed through `Network Neighborhood' or permanently mapped as a new drive in "My Computer". To permanently map to a remote folder, right click on `My Computer', select `map network drive' and enter "\\name of network computer\name of folder". Select `reconnect at logon'. The next available drive letter will be assigned to the folder and it will appear in "My Computer".
Shared printers are mapped in `My Computer\Printers'. Go to the printers setup > select `add new printer' > select `network printer' > go to the network workstation the shared printer is connected to > and left click on the printer. The necessary printer drivers will be automatically copied from the host PC, and the printer will appear in the printer box.