Basic Home Networking



Basic Home Networking

Things you’ll need: Internet Service, Modem, Router

Typical Cable Modem Typical Router

Modem is connected to service by either phone cable if DSL (RJ-M) or a coaxial cable if Cable. Router is connected to modem by an Ethernet cable (RJ-45). Both will require an electrical outlet.

Depending on your Internet Service Provider (ISP) and your provided modem there may or may not be extra ports to connect other devices. The router will always have extra ports.

The cables are two-way streets so don’t worry about a right end or a wrong end.

Once the service line from the wall is connected to the modem and the modem is connected to the router and the power is on look at the lights. Some will blink some will stay on. Generally traffic or activity lights will blink while power and connection lights will stay on. What these lights are labeled may vary by manufacturer.

Wireless devices should now see the wireless router and may attempt to connect to it.

Try to reach the internet. If this is your first time connecting some ISP’s will send you to a page asking you to agree to terms of service before releasing you to the internet.

Take a look at your routers administration interface.

Administration of Your Router

Access your routers admin interface.

Some common addresses and log-ins:

[pic]

This information is freely available and standard which is why you should change yours.

Information specific to your router can be found online or in the documentation it came with.

Open a web browser and type the address in the address bar. You will be prompted with a screen for a username and password. Enter it.

Every router is a little different but similar features are commonly found in all brands.

Change the admin password. Also the username if you can.

Change the routers default IP address. Ex: 192.168.1.1 to 192.168.4.1

Change the SSID. Ex: Netgear to homenetwork

Optionally turn SSID broadcast off. This will require you to type the name of the network into your device to connect.

Decide whether or not to require a password for connection. Consider guest use and how many devices you have. Each connecting device will need the password to get on. If you choose to use a password use the WPA2 option. It is the most secure.

MAC filtering can be used to allow or disallow certain devices based on their MAC address. This address is like a fingerprint and unique to each device.

By default your router will automatically assign IP addresses to all connecting devices. This string of numbers keeps all the traffic flowing the way it should. If there are duplicate IP’s on your network problems with connectivity can arise.

You can manually assign IP addresses to your devices. This is generally unnecessary for home applications. Benefits include ease of access from a remote location and better security. Some devices may even require it though this is unusual.

If you assign an IP to a device make sure to configure the network options of that device to match the assigned IP.

Your Network is up and secure. Now what?

Share files between devices.

You can join all devices on your network into one workgroup and share or access files on any device with any other device.

Create a single storage point for files and backups.

Alternatively you can create a single point (Network Attached Storage) to store all of your media, files and backup all other devices on your network.

Home security.

A series of webcams can be attached to your network and not only record what they capture but also be accessed by you remotely from another web enabled device to keep an eye on things.

LAN Gaming.

At one time a popular hobby among game players was to collect as many people as possible with their own computers into one space and all play with or against each other at a LAN party. A network would be setup with a server to host the running game and all players would connect to the same running game. Common internet access has lessened the popularity of this practice but it still lives on with fans the world over.

Extend your range.

With another router acting as a bridge or repeater you can extend your range significantly to cover dead spots in your home or even cover your yard.

Some notes….

There are currently different wireless flavors out there: b, g and n. N being the newest and fastest. An n router will work with devices using b and g. If purchasing a new router get an “n” router. Typically within the $40-$80 range. Popular manufacturers are Belkin, Linksys, Netgear and D-Link.

USB and PC Card wireless adaptors will bring wireless capability to even the oldest laptops for about $20 so there is no need to go out and get a whole new laptop. Unless you really want to.

Consider protecting your wireless network from trespass by making use of your routers security features. Check your routers documentation for more information, ask myself or a computer tech or stay tuned for the second part of our home networking discussion covering security, router administration, setting up a workgroup and file sharing.

Problems and Solutions

No lights on modem or router?

Check all cables and electrical plugs. Look where the Ethernet cable plugs into the back for a blinking light as well.

Lights on but still no connection?

Check cable or wireless connection connecting your device to the router. If wireless look for alert symbols such as an exclamation point, red “X” or yellow triangle.

Lights on, connections are good and still no access?

Try multiple websites and/or browsers. Certain pages may be down or settings may have been changed. To restore browser settings go to Tools>Options>General or Advanced and click the Restore Defaults button.

Still no connection?

It gets pretty messy from here on out. Ask me, a computer tech or start reading all the documentation you can find.

................
................

In order to avoid copyright disputes, this page is only a partial summary.

Google Online Preview   Download