Networking basics for wireless home networking.

Networking basics will look at the setting up a simple home networking system that can be done by anyone using these instructions. Networking basics will also look at peer to peer networking and other forms of connectivity that are used today in wireless home networking.

What is networking?

Computers have come down in price over the years making it a must have in many homes. Most homes now have two or more computers. It is also now easier and cheaper to access internet connections.

Moreover, It is customary in many homes to try and utilise these computers with as little moving around as possible. This can often be a problem, especially with large families. This is where networking comes in.

So then, what is networking? you ask. Networking is the connectivity of one or more computers in the home or office,country or world. The biggest network is the Internet, yes, The internet. Networking affords you the ability to connect to any computer on the network if you are given access by the user.

It also allows you to move files between computers. You no longer have to put then on a zip drive or CD or flash drive to take them to another computer in the home. You simply access the computer you want to transfer them to and move them at will.

You can even share internet connections in the home. This is where networking comes into its own.

It requires some skill if you are to do this right but this is not beyond the ordinary person. In this Networking basics tutorial, I will give you a step by step guide into setting up your own network.

Since we are building a wireless network, we will need to source some parts to do this. These are as follows:

• One Wireless NIC (Wireless Network Interface card) for each computer on the network
• A wireless Hub
• An RJ45 Network cable

Wireless Network Interface Cards

A wireless network interface card is usually installed on the motherboard in one of the free PCI slots. These slots come in a variety of colors but are white or blue in most computers today. Check your manual if you are not sure or Go Here for a pictorial guide.The green slots are the PCI slots.

If you do not have a PCI slot available or you would prefer something else, then there is the USB wireless sticks. These come in varying shapes and sizes (usually small) and as the name implies, they plug into your USB jack on the computer.

Wireless Hub

The linksys is one of the best wireless hubs that I have used in recent times. A picture of it is at the top of the page. They are easy to connect and set up and are most reliable. The linksys comes with the required software and security features that can be set to prevent others from using your service without your consent.

A six feet RJ45 network cable is required when setting up this network. I have given you an idea what this is about here.This is plugged into the NIC during setup to sycronize the base systen with all the other computers on the network. This can also mean laptops with wireless capabilities.

These are the steps to setting up your wireless network:

• Determine the number of computers you want to network including Laptops.
• Purchase the required parts listed above. Include NIC (Network interface cards) for all the computers. Please note that most Laptops today come with network cards. If they do not have one, then you will need to get NICs for these. You will also note that Laptop cards are different to those used for Desktops. Cards also comes with software (CD) which you will need to install for each individual machine.

Laptop Network Interface Card

• Install all NICs as required
• Connect your Hub (linksys in this case or other brand if you so desire) to your internet feed.
• Put in the CD that comes with your Hub and follow the instructions.
• Do this with all the computers on the network
• Make sure that you set up your WEP protocol to prevent others from accessing your network without permission.

Follow these instructions and your home computer wireless network will be up and running in no time.

Good luck and happy networking.