How to install networking

This paper covers the installation of networking software for a Windows computer. This is necessary to use a computer in an Ethernet network for broadband Internet access. Some computers come with the Ethernet software and hardware already installed. For a desk-top computer, this means you probably have a PCI card in your computer with a single Ethernet jack at the back for a wired network. For a laptop, you may have an Ethernet jack at the back for a wired network or an adapter for a wireless network already there.

Note: If you purchased your computer with a network card already installed, the networking software may be installed as well. It is wise, however, to check through the next section to verify the installation is correct and as efficient as it should be.

Installing the Network Hardware

If there is no hardware installed for networking, you will need to purchase a PCI networking card for a wired network or a PCI card for wireless networking. If it has a networking card already installed for a wired network and you are changing to a wireless networking, you can leave the old card in and disable it or remove the card. Don't try to enable both cards.

The adapters are plug-and-pray (excuse me, plug and play). The network adapter installation is pretty much automatic using the directions with the adapter card. In general, in most cases you install the software first, power down, put the adapter card in, then turn on the power again. The computer finds the card and starts the plug and play. It you try to put the card in first and power up, you risk the installation finding an older software driver that isn't the one you need to use.

After installing the card (with each computer), go to Settings/Control Panel/System and open the Device Manager. (If using Windows 2000, it is Settings/Control Panel/System/Hardware/Device Manager.) Click the plus next to Network Adapters to open it. You should see the adapter card you installed and it should have no red or yellow flag if the installation was good.

Installing the Network Software

We suggest using Windows XP Professional or Windows 2000. If you have other versions of Windows, now is a great time to upgrade.

Note: The following step may require the use of the original CD-ROM that you used for installing Windows. Be sure you have that before proceeding.

If your network is not installed, you will need to install it. If you are using Windows, you should be the following Network components are installed:

* Client for Microsoft Windows
* Internet Protocol (TCP/IP)
* Adapter card software driver

You will probably find your system default installation put a few more protocols there (such as Netbeui). The protocols are sets of rules that PCs use to format and transmit data. The extra protocols are installed by default in many systems to minimize trouble-shooting callbacks to whoever manufactured your system. For most of us, the TCP/IP is all you need for the Internet. As a result your system is slowed down as it converts network data to each protocol. If you are not using the others, turn them off. The TCP/IP is all you need for Internet access and to talk to other computers on your network.

If you have Windows XP Professional:
1. Right click My Network Places
2. Choose Properties
3. Click on Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) to verify the box is set for that protocol
4. Click on Properties and verity that the box Obtain an IP address automatically is checked
5. Be sure Obtain DNS server address automatically is selected

If you have Windows 2000:
1. Select Network and Dial-up Connections from the Control Panel
2. Double-click Local Area Connections
3. Click Properties
4. Select Internet Protocol (TCP/IP)
5. Click Properties
6. Check box (if not checked) for Obtain an IP address automatically
7. Check box (if not checked) for Obtain DNS server address automatically

Sharing Resources on the Network

To share resources on a particular computer with other users on the network, you must make them shareable. Your computer's files and printers are not available to other users on the network unless you make them so.

For Windows XP Professional:
1. Right-click My Network Places
2. Choose Properties
3. Right-click again on active network connection
4. Select Properties
5. In the box This connection uses the following items be sure that File and Printer Sharing appears there. If so, got to step 10
6. If not, click Install
7. Select Client
8. Select Add
9. Select Microsoft, then Client for Microsoft Networks
10. Right-click any folder you wish to share
11. Select Sharing and Security
12. Enable Sharing

If you are using Windows 2000, the network has more security and issues are a little more complicated that using Windows 95/98/ME. You will need to log in as an administrator and use the Users and Passwords option on the Control Panel to setup each user.

For Windows 2000:
1. Choose Network and Dialup Connections from the Control Panel
2. Right-click Local Area Connection
3. Choose Properties
4. Be sure Client for Microsoft Windows appears in box.
5. If so, skip to step 10
6. If not, click Install
7. Select Client
8. Select Add
9. Select Microsoft, then Client for Microsoft Networks
10. Right-click any folder you wish to share
11. Select Sharing or Properties from the dialog box
12. From Sharing, click on Share this folder
13. Go to Permissions to set users with access or select Everyone.

For printer sharing, we suggest purchasing a cheap printer server. In that way, any computer on the network can use the printer without the computer being on.

When you exit the network setup, Windows will probably ask you to supply the original Windows installation disk. Once Windows finds the files it needs from the disk, it will request a reboot. Reboot the computer.

Troubleshooting the Installation

Here are a few tips to help your troubleshooting:

* Use the Device Manager to insure the adapter is installed properly. There should be no yellow or red flag on the adapter listing.

* From the Device Manager, you can select the adapter, right-click, and choose Properties to check for conflicts and do a diagnostic on the adapter card.

* Most adapters (even those small laptop adapters) have small lights on the back and there should be lights on the hub or switcher as well. Use these to verify the link is active. This does NOT insure all the proper protocols are in place, but does verify the connection.

* Use the dialog box for the network and verify all the protocols are in place.

* The TCP/IP protocol may be defective. Try removing it (using the network dialog box) and reinstalling it.

* Always use a hub or switcher, even with two computers. Use a hub for dialup connections when no broadband is involved. Use a switcher and router if connecting a broadband connection to the network.