Difference between revisions of "Networking"
| Line 21: | Line 21: | ||
You will need to make sure both your computers have a network card installed, these are becoming more commonly supplied built in to new computers, you need to look for a port on the back like the second connector on the top row here | You will need to make sure both your computers have a network card installed, these are becoming more commonly supplied built in to new computers, you need to look for a port on the back like the second connector on the top row here | ||
[[Image:Networking_atx_cover_plate.gif]] | [[Image:Networking_atx_cover_plate.gif]] | ||
| + | |||
| + | There is a smaller connector that is very simalar, this is a modem connection, fo connecting the computer to the telephone line, this is NOT the same. | ||
| + | |||
| + | A Modem connection will have either 2 or 4 little gold contacts inside, a network connection will have 8. | ||
| + | |||
| + | Plugging a telephone line into a network connection will damage it (as the telephone connector is smaller, it will fit in the larger network socket - don't do it! | ||
| + | |||
| + | If you don't have this connection, you may have one installed as an add-on card, you are basically looking for the same 8 pinned connector shown on the picture above. | ||
| + | |||
| + | If you can't find one, all is not lost, adding one is fairly easy. | ||
Revision as of 00:57, 18 January 2007
This is a page about computer networking.
Introduction
The aim of this, is to guide you though the different options open to you when creating a computer network. This may be connecting two computers together, or connecting hundreds together.
Before You Buy Anything
Don't just go to PC World and pick up the first or cheapest thing you see, there are various decisions you need to make first in order to create the perfect network for you.
The Basics
The simplest form of a computer network is two computers connected together. With this, you can share files, printers and even an internet connection! You could have a computer in the study, and the kids could have one in their room, connecting the two together would mean the kids can print their homework out, without you having to invest in another printer, or maybe you have a black and white laser printer in the study, and a photo quality one in the kids room, networking the two machines together will mean you can print to either printer, from either computer.
Types of network
The two main types of networking are wired and wireless. Just because you start with one, does not mean you can't then have the other, they co-exist perfectly! in fact, they are totally transparent to one another, one computer on a wired connection can happily talk to another on a wireless connection in the same network (if it is all set up correctly, of course!)
Wired
Two Computers
The easiest network to set up is a two computer wired network.
You will need to make sure both your computers have a network card installed, these are becoming more commonly supplied built in to new computers, you need to look for a port on the back like the second connector on the top row here
There is a smaller connector that is very simalar, this is a modem connection, fo connecting the computer to the telephone line, this is NOT the same.
A Modem connection will have either 2 or 4 little gold contacts inside, a network connection will have 8.
Plugging a telephone line into a network connection will damage it (as the telephone connector is smaller, it will fit in the larger network socket - don't do it!
If you don't have this connection, you may have one installed as an add-on card, you are basically looking for the same 8 pinned connector shown on the picture above.
If you can't find one, all is not lost, adding one is fairly easy.