Computer networks have been around for decades but of late people want to have them at home. After all, we are information age, where people can have more than one computer at home.

This has many benefits, as we shall see. It is crucial to learn how to set up, troubleshoot, install and maintain a computer network.

Connecting the computers you have at home allows you to access resources like hard disk, printer, and modem in between both computers. The method used depends on the amount of money you have, how secure you need to be and the kind of work you do.

With a broadband internet connection, computer networking makes it possible to share internet connection between many PCs at home. Al you have to do is install a network card in every PC.

Learn how to do it with these computer networking tutorials:

1. Use CAT5 cable to connect the PCs to each other.

2. Use the LAN card properties to assign different IP addresses to the two PCs. The IP addresses assigned thus are private; they have nothing to do with those used on the internet.

3. Install proxy software on computer one. This software helps to share the Internet connection between the two computers. This can by Wingate, Win Proxy or any other such software.

You may also install a hardware router to use as a gateway which can be connected with the public IP address. This public IP address is assigned by the internet service provider and the hub is hooked up to the router. Each PC must be attached to the hub to access internet.

Setting up a Gateway Device

Gateway devices for computer networking are manufactured by companies like dlink.com, linksys.com, netgear.com and Cisco systems. They each have their own setup configurations but serve one basic purpose.

They are configured differently but serve the same purpose. Each must have a NAT (Network Address Translation), a DHCP server, PPP.

An advanced gateway may have:

  • A wireless access point
  • A VPN
  • DMZ
  • A multiport
  • Content filtering

Usually advance gateways have integrated hubs which should support dual speed and should have the most number of ports.

Many pieces of Cat5 Ethernet cable are essential for anyone who wants to set up a home network. You need them; to connect PCs to each other or to connect PCs to the hub.

For wireless connection, you can use Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, or infrared technology.

Wi-Fi connections are great for connecting PCs that are farther away from each other. The laptop of PC must have the capacity to use Wi-Fi.

Bluetooth is great for high speed wireless networking. It facilitates communication but without the need to connect the two computers with a fixture.

Infrared technology computer networking is great and very fast.

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