Networking Gets Easy By

Networking Gets Easy
By: Charles Randolf

You no longer need to be a CNA or Microsoft Certified to install a home LAN network - just get yourself a USB network interface.

Before it required a lot of complicated configuring of internal IP addresses, server knowledge, workgroup configuration and a hefty manual to pull off installing even a basic LAN. Now you can install one in 5 minutes.

Why install a network?
There are many reasons why one would want their own home LAN,
for one thing, with the use of a Proxy service such as Spoon or WinGate,
you can share your Internet connection. Which can save you big bucks
if you are talking Cable, DSL or Fiber.

*Another reason is backing up your other systems - backing up is crucial.

*Another reason is to get better use out of that notebook or laptop
sitting around and collecting dust.

*Share Printers, Plotters, Scanners & Files

*Share a Internet connection (cut down on telephone and ISP fees)

With a network you can expand your storage, add a network farm for that 3D program such as Truespace, backup your systems at once, and for the gaming crowd - launch a network game of Quake or Half-Life.

Getting Started:
What you will need:
A Linksys, D-Link, 3-Com USB to ethernet adapter
A length of RJ-45 cable
A Ethernet Hub with RJ-45 connections

How Our Install Went
We were already booted in Windows 98 so we plugged it into the USB port, Windows automatically popped up the Add New Hardware Wizard, we followed some easy steps and rebooted. We then had to setup our Network settings, which is easily done with the instructions included in the manual.

We rebooted again to let our settings take effect, then we went to the Network neighborhood - there we were.

Now in order to use this adapter on a LAN you will need an additional piece of hardware, it is called a HUB; make no mistake shopping for this item is not an easy one.

Hubs are very hard to shop for, it can be downright confusing in fact, and range in price from $20 to $900 and come in all sorts of configurations. What we needed was a 4 port auto-sensing hub. Note: The maximum number of ports will be the maximum number of PCs you can connect. We didn't foresee needing a 5 port hub, so we chose the cheaper model. Our hub runs about $24.00 USD. Which is within our budget.

Installing a hub is as easy as plugging in your RJ-45 cables and power supply.

A word of warning: Do not hook two adapters up to each directly!!
It can damage your adapter and possibly your PC.

Although you do not need past network experience to DIY (do it yourself)
we do recommend consulting someone who does have networking knowledge
or reading up on the subject beforehand.

In Conclusion
If you are looking for a convenient, easy to install USB adapter,
we suggest the Linksys model. Its costs approx: $31.00 USD.
And you can network two PCs for under $100. This is the simplest and cheapest way to get a home network going.