Connecting your home, small office, or home office computers lets you share drives, printers, and a single Internet connection among the connected computers.
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Benefits of using a network in your home, small office, or home office |
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Types of network connections |
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Purchasing additional network equipment |
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Installing and configuring your notebook for Ethernet networking |
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Turning wireless Ethernet on and off |
Benefits of networking
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Share a single Internet connection |
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Share computer drives |
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Share peripheral devices |
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Stream audio and video files |
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Play multi-player games |
Sharing a single Internet connection
Each computer that is connected to the network can share the same broadband connection or modem and telephone line and access the Internet at the same time. This saves on the cost of installing another telephone line for your second computer and paying for a second Internet service provider (ISP) account.
For more information about sharing an Internet connection in Windows XP, click Start, then click Help and Support.
Type the keyword internet sharing in the HelpSpot Search box
, then click the arrow.
Sharing drives
With a network, you can copy files from computer to computer by copying and pasting or dragging and dropping. You will no longer waste your time transferring files by using diskettes. In addition, you can map a drive on a networked computer to another computer, and access the files as if they were located on the hard drive of the computer you are using.
For more information about sharing network drives in Windows XP, click Start, then click Help and Support.
Type the keyword sharing network drives in the HelpSpot Search box
Sharing peripheral devices
Each computer that is connected to the network can share the same peripheral devices, such as a printer. Select print from the computer you are currently using and your file is automatically printed on your printer no matter where it is located on your network.
For more information about sharing network devices in Windows XP, click Start, then click Help and Support.
Type the keyword sharing in the HelpSpot Search box
Streaming audio and video files
With a network, you can store audio files (such as the popular .MP3 files) and video files on any networked computer, then play them on any of the other computers or devices connected to your network. This process is called streaming.
For more information about streaming files in Windows XP, click Start, then click Help and Support.
Type the keyword streaming in the HelpSpot Search box
Playing multi-player games
With a home network, you can play multi-player games. Load a game like Microsoft Midtown Madness 2 on your computers, and in minutes, you and your friends can race in competing cars through the streets of San Francisco.
Selecting a network connection
The biggest decision you need to make when creating your network is what type of connection you will use. Gateway supports both wired and wireless Ethernet networks. Use the following criteria as a guide when selecting a network connection.
Wired Ethernet network
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You are building a new home or your existing home already has Ethernet cable installed in each room that has a device you want to connect |
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You are creating a network in an office or business where network speed is more important than moving about with your computer |
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Your computer has an Ethernet jack for connecting to the network |
Wireless Ethernet (IEEE 802.11a or IEEE 802.11b) network
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You are looking for an alternative to installing cable for connectivity |
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The ability to move about with your computer is as important as network speed |
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Your computer has wireless Ethernet (IEEE 802.11a or IEEE 802.11b) for networking |
Using a wired Ethernet network
A wired Ethernet network consists of two or more computers connected together through an Ethernet cable. This connection type is commonly used in offices around the world and can be used to build computer networks in the home.
Ethernet, Fast Ethernet, or Gigabit Ethernet
Ethernet is available at three different speeds. Standard Ethernet runs at 10 Mbps, Fast Ethernet runs at 100 Mbps, and Gigabit Ethernet runs at 1000 Mbps. Most home networks are built using Standard or Fast Ethernet components. Business networks are typically built using Fast or Gigabit Ethernet components.
To create a wired Ethernet network, you or your electrician must:
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Install special Ethernet cables in your home or office |
Check local code requirements before installing Ethernet cable or other wiring in your home or office. Your municipality may require you to obtain a permit and hire a licensed installer.
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Install an Ethernet card in each of your desktop computers (if your computers do not already have built-in Ethernet jacks) |
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Install an Ethernet PC Card in each of your notebooks (if your notebooks do not already have built-in Ethernet jacks) |
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Install an Ethernet router, switch, or hub |
If you are connecting just two computers, you can eliminate the router, switch, or hub and use a special crossover cable.
Example wired Ethernet network
The following is an example of a wired Ethernet network. The network is made up of a router, a cable or DSL modem, your computers, and cables connecting each of these components. The router is the central control point for the network. Attached to the router are all of your computers or Ethernet-ready devices. Also connected to the router is a cable or DSL modem that provides access to the Internet.
To add the ability to access a wireless Ethernet network to your wired Ethernet network, connect an access point to the router, switch, or hub. For more information about accessing a wireless Ethernet, see "Using a wireless Ethernet network".
Equipment you need for a wired Ethernet network
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An Ethernet jack on each desktop computer and notebook. |
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An Ethernet card installed in each desktop computer.
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An Ethernet PC Card installed in each notebook.
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An Ethernet router. Select a router that gives you the following features: |
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A jack for connecting to a cable or DSL modem. |
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The ability to assign IP addresses to your networked computers dynamically. This prevents intruders from seeing the computers over the Internet. |
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A built-in firewall to protect the computers on your network from intruders trying to access your data over the Internet. |
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Built-in switching (with enough ports for all computers and devices on the network) so that you will not have to purchase a hub or switch. |
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If you did not purchase a router that includes built-in switching or if the router does not have enough ports to attach all your computers, an Ethernet hub or switch with enough ports for all computers and devices in the network. |
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Ethernet cable going from each computer to the router, hub, or switch. |
Using a wireless Ethernet network
A wireless Ethernet network is ideal for creating a home or office network or adding mobility to an existing wired Ethernet.
Radio frequency wireless communication can interfere with equipment on commercial aircraft. Current aviation regulations require wireless devices to be turned off while traveling in an airplane. IEEE 802.11a and IEEE 802.11b communication devices are examples of devices that provide wireless communication. For instructions to turn wireless Ethernet on and off, see "Turning your wireless Ethernet on or off".
If your notebook came equipped with an internal radio frequency wireless device, see "Safety, Regulatory, and Legal Information" for general wireless regulatory and safety guidelines. To find out if your notebook has an internal wireless device, check the label (see "Identifying your model").
Wireless Ethernet is available at two different speeds. 802.11a wireless Ethernet runs at speeds up to 54 Mbps, or about half the speed of Fast Ethernet. 802.11b wireless Ethernet runs at speeds up to 11 Mbps, or approximately the same speed as standard wired Ethernet. This type of network allows you the freedom to move about your home or office with your notebook. For example, you can take your notebook from your home office to your patio without having an Ethernet jack available.
Example access point wireless Ethernet network
By using an access point, you can join a wireless Ethernet network and access a wired Ethernet network. An access point also lets you access the Internet.
The following is an example of an access point wireless Ethernet network. The network is made up of an access point, a cable or DSL modem, and your computers. The access point is the central control point for the network. Attached to the access point is the cable or DSL modem that provides access to the Internet. Each of the computers or Ethernet-ready devices communicate with the access point using radio waves. If your computer does not have built-in wireless Ethernet capabilities, you need to add a wireless PCI card (desktop), PC card (notebook), or USB adapter.
If you want to access a wireless Ethernet network from your wired Ethernet network, connect an access point to the router, switch, or hub. For more information about accessing a wired Ethernet, see "Using a wired Ethernet network".
Equipment you need for an access point wireless Ethernet network
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A wireless Ethernet (IEEE 802.11a or IEEE 802.11b) PCI card installed in each desktop computer |
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A wireless Ethernet (IEEE 802.11a or IEEE 802.11b) USB adapter attached
to each desktop computer
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A notebook with wireless Ethernet (IEEE 802.11b) built-in
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A wireless Ethernet (IEEE 802.11a or IEEE 802.11b) PC Card installed in
each notebook that does not have wireless Ethernet built-in
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A wireless Ethernet (IEEE 802.11a or IEEE 802.11b) access point to connect your wireless Ethernet network to the Internet or a wired Ethernet network |
Example peer-to-peer wireless Ethernet network
Use a peer-to-peer (also known as ad hoc) wireless Ethernet network if you are setting up or joining a temporary computer-to-computer network. This type of network does not include access into a wired network or the Internet. You can create this type of network to quickly move files from one computer to another.
Equipment you need for a peer-to-peer wireless Ethernet network
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A wireless Ethernet (IEEE 802.11a or IEEE 802.11b) PCI card installed in
each desktop computer
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A wireless Ethernet (IEEE 802.11a or IEEE 802.11b) USB adapter attached
to each desktop computer
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A notebook with wireless Ethernet (IEEE 802.11b) built-in
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A wireless Ethernet (IEEE 802.11a or IEEE 802.11b) PC Card installed in
each notebook that does not have wireless Ethernet built-in
For more information
For more information about purchasing equipment for your home or office Ethernet network, discuss your particular needs with your Gateway store representative. In addition, several books and Internet sites are dedicated to networking. See these sources for more information about networking your home or office with wired or wireless Ethernet.
For more information about networking in Windows XP, click Start, then click Help and Support.
Type the keyword networking in the HelpSpot Search box
Using your notebook on a network
Installing and configuring your notebook for Ethernet networking
A guide in .PDF format has been included on your hard drive that provides instructions for installing and configuring both wired and wireless Ethernet networking on your notebook. To access this guide, click Start, All Programs, then click Gateway Utilities.
Turning your wireless Ethernet on or off
To turn wireless
Ethernet on or off in Windows XP:
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Click Start, then click Control Panel. The Control Panel window opens. If your Control Panel is in Category View, click Network and Internet Connections. The Network and Internet Connections window opens.
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Click/Double-click Network Connections. The Network Connections window opens.
- Right-click Wireless Network Connection, then click Enable to turn on wireless Ethernet or click Disable to turn off wireless Ethernet.
To turn wireless
Ethernet on or off in Windows 2000:
on the taskbar. The ORiNOCO Wireless LAN menu opens.