Networking Your Notebook

Connecting your home, small office, or home office computers lets you share drives, printers, and a single Internet connection among the connected computers.

This chapter contains information about:

Benefits of using a network in your home, small office, or home office

Types of network connections

Using wireless networking

Purchasing additional network equipment

The benefits of using a network

A network lets you:

Share a single Internet connection

Share computer drives

Share peripheral devices

Stream audio and video files

Play multi-player games

Sharing a single Internet connection

A network makes sharing the Internet easy. Each computer or Internet appliance that is connected to the network can share the same modem and telephone line or broadband connection 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.

Important

Most ISPs allow multiple users at the same time. If you use America Online as your ISP, you can: Log onto America Online through one of your screen names and the other computers can access the Internet using an Internet browser. Upgrade your service to AOL for Home Networks. This service allows more than one of your screen names to be online through your home network at one time.

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 from a computer on the network to a drive on another computer, and access the file as if it were located on the hard drive of the computer you are using.

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.

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, a process called streaming.

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.

Example network

A network connects all your computers and other devices so that you can share files, programs, peripheral devices, and much more from any computer in your home or office. The picture below shows an example of a home network.

Selecting a network connection

One of the biggest decisions you will need to make when creating your network is what type of connection you will use. Gateway supports both wired and wireless connections.

Wired connections

HPNA (Home Phoneline Networking Alliance) and Ethernet are two popular types of wired networks.

HPNA

Creating an HPNA network is as easy as knowing where your telephone jacks and computers are located. HPNA uses your home's standard telephone lines and telephone jacks instead of special cabling to connect computers. You can use your networked computers at the same time as you connect to your ISP, send a fax, or talk on your telephone. For the best performance, your computers or Internet appliances should have HPNA 2.0 network cards or jacks for connecting to your network.

Important

If you have more than one telephone line in your home or office, make sure that all the computers in your network are connected to jacks that share the same telephone number.

Ethernet or Fast Ethernet

Ethernet is a type of connection commonly used in offices around the world. This type of connection can also be used to build small computer networks in the home. Ethernet is available at two different speeds: standard Ethernet, which runs at the same speed as HPNA 2.0, and Fast Ethernet, which runs up to ten times faster. To create an Ethernet network, you or your electrician must install special cables in your home or office. Your computers or Internet appliances must have Ethernet cards or jacks for connecting to a 10 or 10/100 Ethernet switch or hub. If you are connecting just two computers, you can eliminate the switch or hub and use a special crossover cable.

Important

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.

Broadband Internet connections

You can use your computer's Ethernet or USB jack for more than just networking. Many broadband Internet connections, such as cable modems and DSL modems, connect to your computer's Ethernet or USB jack. Typically, if one computer is connected to the Internet, other networked computers can access the Internet through the shared Internet connection. A broadband, versus dial-up, connection adds speed and an "always on" connection to your home network.

Wireless Connections

Instead of connecting your computers with wires, you can consider a wireless networks. Wireless Ethernet is ideal for creating a home or office network.

Warning

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 802.11b (also known as wireless Ethernet or WiFi) communication devices are examples of devices that provide wireless communication.

Important

If your system 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 system has an internal wireless device, check the label (see "Identifying your model").

Wireless Ethernet

A wireless Ethernet network (also known as IEEE 802.11b or WiFi) exceeds the speed of either HPNA 2.0 or standard Ethernet. In addition, this type of network allows you the freedom to move about your home or office with your computer. For example, you can take your notebook computer from your home office to your patio without having a telephone or Ethernet jack available.

Assessing your connection needs

To select the type of network that will work best for you, consider how you will use your network.

HPNA

An HPNA network is appropriate if:

Your home, small office, or home office has a telephone jack with the same telephone number in each room that has a device you want to connect

You have several Windows-based computers that are used for drive sharing, printing to a single printer, or surfing the Internet

Your notebook computer has one of the following:

An HPNA jack for connecting to a telephone jack

A USB port to connect to a HPNA adapter

Cost savings is more important than network speed

Your connection speed needs are less than 10000 Kbps (see "Comparing data transfer speed")

Ethernet

An Ethernet or Fast Ethernet network is appropriate if:

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

You are creating a network in an office or business

Network speed is more important than cost savings

You have a combination of Windows-based computers and non-Windows-based computers that are used for drive sharing, printing to a single printer, or surfing the Internet

Your notebook computer has an Ethernet jack for connecting to the network

Wireless Ethernet (IEEE 802.11b, WiFi)

A wireless Ethernet network is appropriate if:

You are looking for an alternative to using your telephone line or installing cable for connectivity

The ability to move about with your computer is as important as network speed

You have several Windows-based computers that are used for drive sharing, printing to a single printer, or surfing the Internet

Your notebook computer has wireless Ethernet (IEEE 802.11b) for networking

Your connection speed needs are less than 11000 Kbps (see "Comparing data transfer speed")

Comparing data transfer speed

When deciding between connection types, compare the different data transfer speeds provided by each to the programs you plan to run on your network. The following table shows types of programs that you may run in your home or small office and the connection speed each requires.

Type of Program	Speed Required
Voice over IP (VoIP)	5-20 Kbps
Multiplayer Game	20-80 Kbps
Dial-up Internet	24-56 Kbps
MP3 Audio Streaming	80-200 Kbps
Printer Sharing	80-200 Kbps
Broadband Internet	100-1000 Kbps
File Sharing	300-40000 Kbps
MPEG Video Streaming	4000-8000 Kbps

The following table shows the Gateway-supported network type and the maximum speed of each.

Connection	Type	Rated Maximum Speed
HPNA 2.0	Wired	10000 Kbps
Ethernet	Wired	10000 Kbps
Wireless Ethernet (IEEE 802.11b or WiFi)	Wireless	11000 Kbps
Fast Ethernet	Wired	100,000 Kbps

When comparing the speed at which your network will need to run to the speed you can get from the connection type, you should consider which programs may run at the same time on your network.

For example, you have stored several MP3 audio files on your network. You typically play music on your desktop, and at the same time your teenager may play music on her notebook. Playing two MP3 audio files simultaneously requires 200 Kbps + 200 Kbps = 400 Kbps. If at the same time you are playing two MP3 audio files, you also print a file to your printer, the speed required increases to 200 Kbps + 200 Kbps + 200 Kbps = 600 Kbps.

A comparison of the two tables on the previous page shows that HPNA 2.0, Ethernet, and wireless Ethernet can handle most programs on a network. If you anticipate using a combination of programs that regularly exceed 10000 Kbps, you should consider installing Fast Ethernet for your connection.

Using a wireless network

Your notebook may have wireless Ethernet networking built-in. The information in this section tells you how to set up and access a wireless network. If your notebook does not have wireless networking built-in, and you are interested in getting networking hardware for your notebook or other computers to set up a network in your home or office, see "Purchasing additional network equipment".

Warning

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 802.11b (also known as wireless Ethernet or WiFi) 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".

Important

If your system 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 system has an internal wireless device, check the label (see "Identifying your model").

Using wireless Ethernet

Setting up wireless Ethernet networking

If you have wireless Ethernet, the first time you start your notebook, your system automatically installs the wireless Ethernet drivers. Immediately following the initial startup, you may be instructed to run the Network Setup Wizard.

Important

The following procedure uses the Windows XP Network Setup Wizard. The example screens show those screens that typically appear in the course of using the wizard. Your network situation may differ from that used in this example, and therefore you may encounter additional screens or screens with different selections. Make sure you read each screen in the wizard and make your selections based on your particular network situation.

To run the Network Setup Wizard:

1. Click on the Network Setup Wizard icon on the taskbar. The Network Setup Wizard opens.

-OR-

Click Start, then select All Programs, Communications, then Network Setup Wizard. The Network Setup Wizard opens.

2. Click Next to continue through the wizard.

3. Click Next. The following screen opens.

4. Click to select the Ignore disconnected network hardware checkbox, then click Next. The following screen opens.

5. Select the method that the notebook accesses the Internet, then click Next. If you do not see the method you want, click Other for a list of additional methods, make a selection, then click Next. The following screen opens.

6. Select Let me choose the connections to my network, then click Next. The following screen opens.

7. Click to select the Wireless Network Connection checkbox, then click Next. The following screen opens.

8. Enter a description of the computer and the name by which the computer will be identified on the network, then click Next. The following screen opens.

9. Enter the name of the workgroup this notebook belongs to. This name is usually assigned by the network system administrator and identifies which group of computers this notebook is most likely to communicate with.

10. Click Next. A summary of the network settings you have chosen appears.

11. Click Next to apply the network settings. The following screen opens.

12. If you are setting up a wireless Ethernet network on other computers, you may want to use the Network Setup Wizard to do so. Select a method for installing and configuring the network on your other computers and click Next.

13. Click Finish.

Configuring Windows XP for wireless Ethernet

To configure Windows XP to use the wireless Ethernet network:

1. Click Start, then select Control Panel.

2. Click Network and Internet Connections. The Network and Internet Connections window opens.

3. Click Network Connections. The Network Connections window opens.

4. Right-click Wireless Network Connection.

5. Select Properties. The Wireless Network Connection Properties dialog box opens.

6. Select Internet Protocol (TCP/IP), then click Properties. The Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) Properties dialog box opens.

7. Click the General tab.

8. If you are using a DHCP server, click Obtain an IP address automatically.

- OR -

If you are not using a DHCP server, click Use the following IP address and enter the IP Address and Subnet Mask.

Important

If you are required to enter an IP Address and Subnet Mask, ask your network system administrator for the correct values.

9. Click OK to close the Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) Properties dialog box.

10. Click OK to close the Wireless Network Connection Properties dialog box.

11. Click X to close the Network Connections window.

Turning your wireless Ethernet on or off

There are times, such as when you are flying in an aircraft, when you should turn off your wireless Ethernet network. You can also turn off wireless Ethernet to conserve battery power on your notebook.

To turn wireless Ethernet on or off using the switch:

Press the small black switch located in the center of the wireless indicator.

To turn wireless Ethernet on or off using the Start menu:

1. Click Start , then select Control Panel.

2. Click Network and Internet Connections. The Network and Internet Connections window opens.

3. Click Network Connections. The Network Connections window opens.

4. Right-click Wireless Network Connection.

5. Select Enable to turn on wireless Ethernet or Disable to turn off wireless Ethernet.

Creating a wireless Ethernet network

After you have turned on wireless Ethernet networks, you may want to create a new wireless Ethernet network. You can create either an access point or peer-to-peer wireless Ethernet network.

Access Point

An access point is a device that allows you to both join a wireless network and access a wired network at the same time. You can create an access point wireless network if you purchased an RG1000 or equivalent access point. The figure below shows an example of an access point network.

To create an access point wireless Ethernet network:

1. Click Start, then select Control Panel.

2. Click Network and Internet Connections. The Network and Internet Connections window opens.

3. Click Network Connections. The Network Connections window opens.

4. Right-click Wireless Network Connection.

5. Select View Available Wireless Networks. The Connect to Wireless Network dialog box opens.

6. Click Advanced. The Wireless Network Connection Properties dialog box opens.

7. Click the Wireless Networks tab.

8. Click Add. The Wireless Network Properties dialog box opens.

9. Enter the name of the network. For an access point network, we recommend entering the name of the access point device followed by the SSID name found on the back of the access point, for example RG1000 1ff60a.

10. Click the Data encryption (WEP enabled) check box.

11. Click to clear the The key is provided for me automatically check box.

12. Enter the network key. This key must be the last five digits of the network name. Example: ff60a.

13. Select ASCII characters from the Key format list.

14. Select 40 bits (5 characters) from the Key length list.

15. Select 0 from the Key index (advanced) list.

16. Make sure that the Network Authentication (Shared mode) check box is not selected.

17. Make sure that the This is a computer-to-computer (ad hoc) network check box is not selected.

18. Click OK to close the Wireless Network Properties dialog box.

19. Click the General tab.

20. Select Internet Protocol (TCP/IP), then click Properties. The Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) Properties dialog box opens.

21. Click the General tab.

22. If you are using a DHCP server, click Obtain an IP address automatically.

- OR -

If you are not using a DHCP server, click Use the following IP address and enter the IP Address and Subnet Mask.

Important

If you are required to enter an IP Address and Subnet Mask, ask your network system administrator for the correct values.

23. Click OK to close the Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) Properties dialog box.

24. Click OK to close the Wireless Network Connection Properties dialog box.

Peer-to-peer (ad hoc)

Use a peer-to-peer (ad hoc) network if you are setting up or joining a temporary or permanent computer-to-computer network for sharing files and peripheral devices. This type of network does not include an access point into a wired network.

To create a peer-to-peer wireless Ethernet network:

1. Click Start, then select Control Panel.

2. Click Network and Internet Connections. The Network and Internet Connections window opens.

3. Click Network Connections. The Network Connections window opens.

4. Right-click Wireless Network Connection.

5. Select View Available Wireless Networks. The Connect to Wireless Network dialog box opens.

6. Click Advanced. The Wireless Network Connection Properties dialog box opens.

7. Click the Wireless Networks tab.

8. Click Add. The Wireless Network Properties dialog box opens.

9. Enter the name of the network. For a peer-to-peer network, this can be any network name not already in use, for example Adhoc.

10. Click the This is a computer-to-computer (ad hoc) network check box.

11. If an encryption key has been agreed to by the other members of your network, enter this value.

12. Click OK to close the Wireless Network Properties dialog box.

13. Click the General tab.

14. Select Internet Protocol (TCP/IP), then click Properties. The Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) Properties dialog box opens.

15. Click the General tab.

16. Click Use the following IP address.

17. Enter an IP Address and Subnet Mask for each wireless computer on your ad hoc network. The IP Address for computer 1 should end with a 1 and the IP Address for computer 2 should end with a 2.

18. Click OK to close the Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) Properties dialog box.

19. Click OK to close the Wireless Network Connection Properties dialog box.

Connecting to a wireless Ethernet network in Windows XP

To connect to an existing wireless Ethernet network:

1. Click Start, then select Control Panel.

2. Click Network and Internet Connections. The Network and Internet Connections window opens.

3. Click Network Connections. The Network Connections window opens.

4. Right-click Wireless Network Connection.

5. Select View Available Wireless Networks. The Connect to Wireless Network dialog box opens.

6. Select the network you want to connect to, then click Connect.

Checking network signal strength

If your wireless Ethernet network is running slower than you expect, you should check your network signal strength.

To check signal strength of your wireless Ethernet network:

1. Click Start, then select Control Panel.

2. Click Network and Internet Connections. The Network and Internet Connections window opens.

3. Click Network Connections. The Network Connections window opens.

4. Right-click Wireless Network Connection.

5. Select Status. The Wireless Network Connection Status dialog box opens. The meter registers the signal strength for wireless Ethernet on your notebook if other computers with the same network name are within range of your notebook.

Important

Signal strength is affected by the distance between your wireless network devices, by radio interference, and interference from natural obstructions such as walls, floors, and doors.

Purchasing additional network equipment

Use the following shopping lists when purchasing equipment for your network.

HPNA

For an HPNA network you need:

An HPNA card installed in each desktop computer - OR - An HPNA/V.90 combination card installed in each desktop computer - OR - A USB HPNA adapter attached to each desktop or notebook computer - OR -

An HPNA PC Card installed in each notebook computer

Modem cable going from each computer to the closest telephone jack

Important

All HPNA components should be HPNA 2.0. A mixture of HPNA 1.0 and HPNA 2.0 components will result in your network running at a slower speed.

Ethernet

For an Ethernet network you need:

An Ethernet card installed in each desktop computer - OR - An Ethernet jack on each desktop and notebook computer - OR - An Ethernet PC Card installed in each notebook computer

An Ethernet hub or switch with enough ports for each computer and device in the network (hubs are slightly cheaper than switches but may run slower than switches)

Ethernet cable going from each computer to the hub or switch

Important

All Ethernet components should be either standard Ethernet (10 Mbps) or Fast Ethernet (100 Mbps). A mixture of Ethernet and Fast Ethernet components will result in your network running at the slower speed.

Wireless Ethernet

For a wireless Ethernet network you need:

A wireless Ethernet (IEEE 802.11b) PCI card installed in each desktop computer - OR - A wireless Ethernet (IEEE 802.11b) PC Card installed in each notebook computer that does not have wireless Ethernet built-in

A wireless Ethernet (IEEE 802.11b) Access Point if you want to connect your wireless Ethernet to the Internet or a wired network

For more information

For more information about the Gateway Connected Home or networking an office, discuss your particular needs with your Gateway Country Store representative. In addition, several books and Internet sites are dedicated to networking. Refer to these sources for more information about networking your home or office with HPNA, Ethernet, or Wireless Ethernet.