How to Set-up a home or small business network

Part I
* Determine what is your Internet Service Provider's (ISP) policy on Internet connection sharing

* Determine how many computers (nodes) will be connected to the network

* Decide if your network be wired or wireless

* Acquire what equipment you will need

Part II
* Determine what network configuration will be needed for your computer

* Completing a Wired network setup

Part III
* Completing a wireless network setup

Part IV
* Wireless networking security considerations

Part I

What is your Internet Service Provider's policy on Internet connection sharing?

Each Internet Service Provider (ISP) has its own policy regarding Internet connection sharing. Before proceeding any further, you should read the Terms of Service contract from your ISP. How many computers will be connected to the network? When setting up a home network, you should determine the number of computers that will be permanently on the network, as well any guests that might join your network on a temporary basis. You should also have a connection available for any Internet-connected game consoles you may own. However, be sure that the number of connections your network has does not exceed the maximum number of connections allowed by your ISP.

Will your network be wired or wireless?

Today's home networks come in "wired" and "wireless" varieties. Both networks have their strengths and weakness. Traditional "wired" networks require a physical connection (via network cable) to each computer on the network. Wired networks have the advantages of speed and security, but can be difficult to set up in areas that were not designed for the wiring. Wireless networks can be easily set up in virtually any physical environment. However, wireless networks are usually a little slower and extra effort must be spent on security. Many people choose to have a combination wired and wireless home network.

What equipment will you need?

To share an Internet connection, a device called a router must be used. The Internet connection comes in through your cable or DSL modem and is then sent to the router via a network cable. The router keeps track of each computer's incoming and outgoing network traffic, enabling it to send each computer the correct information. Newer routers are inexpensive, easy to set up, and have built-in firewall systems to protect home networks from hacking attempts.

The router is the main connection point for all the computers on your network, as well as your network's gateway to the Internet. Routers can be wired or wireless. (Wireless routers often also include a few wired network connections.) Each computer sharing the Internet connection must communicate via one of the router's ports; the listed number of ports on a router determines the total number of devices that can be connected.

Any computer that is part of the network must also have a Network Interface Card (NIC) correctly installed. These cards are often known simply as network, Ethernet, or LAN cards. NICs are either wired, wireless, or a combination. Make sure the NIC you purchase for each computer matches the type of connection you intend to use.

Part II * Part III * Part IV

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