Home Networking

If your laptop was assembled within the past 5 years, it in all probability already has an ethernet adapter. Check the back of the system unit for a port that looks like a phonephone jack, but slightly bigger.
If you do not have an ethernet adapter, you'll be able to purchase one (concerning $20) and install it yourself. You'll additionally use a special ethernet adapter that plugs into a USB port, if you can't stand the thought of gap your system unit to install an ethernet adapter.
Wired or Wireless Networking?
You'll would like to connect each of your computers to the router with a cable, or go wireless. If you wish to use wireless connections, you'll would like a wireless router and a wireless adapter for each computer. Most laptops have a wireless adapter designed in, most desktop models do not. If you wish a wireless adapter, you'll purchase one that installs inside the system unit, or get a USB-vogue adapter.
Having a wireless network eliminates the need to string ugly cables all round the house, however it will also produce a security risk. Wireless networks are often configured by default to allow access to any pc that attempts to connect. Thus an Evil Hacker driving by with a laptop (or even your neighbor) may be ready to tap into your Net association or poke around your arduous disk.
Fortunately, wireless security encryption is simple to line up. See my article Wireless Security for step-by-step instructions.
Network Configuration
Whether or not the network signals travel through wires or through the air, network resources must still be shared so that alternative computers will access them. If you are running Windows XP or MacOS X, all you have got to do is connect your computers and high-speed modem to the router, and Net association sharing should just work like magic. If not, restart the cable modem, router, and the computers (in that order) and see if that will the trick. If you cannot access the Internet from a number of computers on the network, consult the manual that came along with your router.
One nice aspect profit of having a router is that they need firewalls engineered in to the hardware. Firewalls protect you by hiding your computers from network attacks, but still enable you to surf the net and handle email. Therefore once putting in a router, you'll flip OFF the Windows firewall and any different software-based firewalls you'll have running.
Sharing Files and Printers
Sharing files and printers on a Windows network is also pretty painless. To share a printer, go into the Printers section of the Management Panel, right-click the icon for the printer that needs to be shared, and choose Sharing from the ensuing menu. By assigning a reputation to the shared printer, the owner permits different computers on the network to access the printer by browsing using their Network Neighborhood (or My Network Places) icons. Access can be restricted to solely some computers or users through the utilization of the Security or Permissions options on the Sharing screen.
The identical concept applies for shared file and folders on a network. For example, if you want to share a collection of MP3 files on a home network, simply browse to the folder using the My Pc icon, right-click the folder name and opt for Sharing. Once assigning a reputation to the shared resource and setting Permissions different computers on the network will access that resource via Network Neighborhood or My Network Places.

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Link : Aaron R Daniel has been writing articles online for nearly 2 years now. Not only does this author specialize in Networking, you can also check out his latest website about: Vintage Bathroom Fixtures Which reviews and lists the best vintage bathroom sink

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