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Setting up a network at home is much easier than you can imagine. What you will need are at least two computers, at least two Network Interface Cards (NIC’s), a Crossover Cable, at least one CAT5 Ethernet Cable, and a Router. The Router and CAT5 Cable are optional if you are going to network only two computers. But if you are going to network more than two machines, you will need them (the Crossover Cable would not be necessary at that time). So what do you need to do? Well, here goes.
If you are doing a two computer network setup, place one NIC into each computer. Then turn your computers on and install the drivers for the Cards. After that has been done, connect the Crossover Cable into the NIC’s. Both computers will start to see each other and are now networked. Ensure, however, that your TCP/IP settings are set to “Obtain IP Address Automatically” and “Obtain DNS Settings Automatically”.
If you are more bold and want to setup a network with more tahn two computers, place one NIC into each computer. Then turn your computers on and install the drivers for the Cards. Then choose which computer you want to be the main one and connect it to the Router’s LAN port using a CAT5 Cable. Then connect the other CAT5 Cables to the NIC’s of the other computers and then into the other ports of the Router. The machines will begin a recognition sequence. When completed they will all be networked.
