How to Setting Up A Wireless Network With Windows Vista

Step 1

First and foremost you need to make sure that your computer or laptop has a wireless device either attached to it or installed internally. A lot of new computers and laptops now come with these pre-installed. On my latop I have the wireless technology pre-installed, whereas my desktop computer hadn't, so I had to buy a wireless router to connect it to a wireless network. If you are connecting to a wireless network with your wireless router make sure that you install the drivers for the router first.

Step 2

Once you have the the router and drivers installed you need to configure you access point or router to the correct settings. To do this you should follow your manual as routers can sometimes vary. For most routers if you type 192.168.1.1 into your browser it will give the router setup page. You will be prompted for a username and password, these can be found with your manual. Once you have loaded the setup page you can click on the wireless tab and setup the networks SSID, which is the networks name i.e. Home Network, James Network, to make it easier from here on in we will use the name WLAN Home. Then set the password. When you are selecting the security type there are 2 different types WEP and WPA. If you have the option, select WPA as it is a newer and more secure form of protecting for you wireless network. Click the wireless network icon in the notification area in the task bar. You will be presented by the connect to a network window. Select the WLANHome network and click on connect.

Step 3

If your are connecting to a network that is unsecured you will get a warning screen. If you are connecting to a public network, such as in a hotel or public area that offers free wireless Internet, you are connecting to the network at your own risk as this is considered unsafe. Most public networks are like this otherwise users would not be able to connect to it. If you are sure that you want to connect to the network click "Connect anyway".

Step 4

Once you access your network you will be asked for a security key or passphrase. Enter the security key that you entered on the router setup screen. Click save this network so that the next time you power up your PC or laptop in the area it will automatically connect you. The computer will then verify the passphrase and then it will ask you if you are connected to a public network or a home network or a work network, select the option which best suits your situation. If you are in a public place select the public option as this will prevent other users from see your files. Now you are connected to the network.

Network Topologies

In computer networking, topology refers to the layout of connected devices. This article introduces the standard topologies of networking.
Topology in Network Design
Think of a topology as a network's virtual shape or structure. This shape does not necessarily correspond to the actual physical layout of the devices on the network. For example, the computers on a home LAN may be arranged in a circle in a family room, but it would be highly unlikely to find a ring topology there.
Network topologies are categorized into the following basic types:
· bus
· ring
· star
· tree
· mesh
More complex networks can be built as hybrids of two or more of the above basic topologies.
Bus Topology
Bus networks (not to be confused with the system bus of a computer) use a common backbone to connect all devices. A single cable, the backbone functions as a shared communication medium that devices attach or tap into with an interface connector. A device wanting to communicate with another device on the network sends a broadcast message onto the wire that all other devices see, but only the intended recipient actually accepts and processes the message.
Ethernet bus topologies are relatively easy to install and don't require much cabling compared to the alternatives. 10Base-2 ("ThinNet") and 10Base-5 ("ThickNet") both were popular Ethernet cabling options many years ago for bus topologies. However, bus networks work best with a limited number of devices. If more than a few dozen computers are added to a network bus, performance problems will likely result. In addition, if the backbone cable fails, the entire network effectively becomes unusable.
Ring Topology
In a ring network, every device has exactly two neighbors for communication purposes. All messages travel through a ring in the same direction (either "clockwise" or "counterclockwise"). A failure in any cable or device breaks the loop and can take down the entire network.
To implement a ring network, one typically uses FDDI, SONET, or Token Ring technology. Ring topologies are found in some office buildings or school campuses.
Star Topology
Many home networks use the star topology. A star network features a central connection point called a "hub" that may be a hub, switch or router. Devices typically connect to the hub with Unshielded Twisted Pair (UTP) Ethernet.
Compared to the bus topology, a star network generally requires more cable, but a failure in any star network cable will only take down one computer's network access and not the entire LAN. (If the hub fails, however, the entire network also fails.)
Tree Topology
Tree topologies integrate multiple star topologies together onto a bus. In its simplest form, only hub devices connect directly to the tree bus, and each hub functions as the "root" of a tree of devices. This bus/star hybrid approach supports future expandability of the network much better than a bus (limited in the number of devices due to the broadcast traffic it generates) or a star (limited by the number of hub connection points) alone.
Mesh Topology
Mesh topologies involve the concept of routes. Unlike each of the previous topologies, messages sent on a mesh network can take any of several possible paths from source to destination. (Recall that even in a ring, although two cable paths exist, messages can only travel in one direction.) Some WANs, most notably the Internet, employ mesh routing.
A mesh network in which every device connects to every other is called a full mesh. As shown in the illustration below, partial mesh networks also exist in which some devices connect only indirectly to others.

How to Make CROSS & STRAIGHT cable

________________________________________
STEP 1: Choose the right cable…
1. To Connect PC to PC Cross Cable.

2. To Connect PC to HUB/SWITCH/ROUTER Straight Cable.

3. To Connect HUB/SWITCH/ROUTER to HUB/SWITCH/ROUTER Straight
Cable

STEP 2: Understanding CAT 5 Cables…

Wires: CAT 5 Cable has 4 pairs of copper wire inside it.

Colors: Standard cables has BROWN, BROWN WHITE, GREEN, GREEN-
WHITE, BLUE, BLUE WHITE, ORANGE, ORANGE WHITE.

STEP 3: Making Straight Cable…

Nomenclature: let us first give a number scheme for cabling which we will
follow throughout this tuto. BROWN (8), BROWN WHITE (7),
GREEN (6), GREEN WHITE (3), BLUE (4), BLUE WHITE (5),
ORANGE (2), ORANGE WHITE (1)

Requirements: Two RJ45 Connectors, Crimping tool & CAT 5 cable of desired
length(less than 250 meters).

STEP 3.1:

There are two standards adopted for Cabling EIA/TIA 568A & EIA/TIA 568B.

When you use single standard (either EIA/TIA 568A or EIA/TIA 568B) on both the end of cable then the resulting cable is STRAIGHT CABLE.

On the other hand if you use different cabling standard on the ends of cable then the resulting cable is CROSS CABLE

I’ll use EIA/TIA 568B standard for creating cross and straight cable

1. Remove the covering of CAT 5 cable.
2. Straighten the eight wires of the cable.
3. Using Crimping tool’s cutter cut the end of wires so that they are of same length
4. Arrange the wire in order 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 & 8 respectively as I have mention or as shown in the diagram.
5. Insert the arranged cable in the RJ45 connector with clip pointing down exactly as shown in the figure.
6. In crimping tool insert the head of RJ45 connector and crimp (press) it hardly.
7. Follow same step with same color order for the other end of cable too.
8. The wire you made by following these steps is a STRAIGHT cable.

STEP 4: Making CROSS Cable…

Of the Eight wires in Cat 5 not all are used for data transfer when using 100Mbps Ethernet card. Only 2 pairs of cable are used i.e. 2 wire for transmitting signal and two wires for receiving signal.

So now you can guess why we have to make CROSS CABLE for connecting same kind of devices. Because if use same color coding on both the side than transmitter of one m/c will send data to transmitter of another and data packets will lost, so we have to change wiring code so that transmitter of one connects to reciver of other and vice-versa.

Here are the Steps:
Steps 1 to 6 are same as for STRAIGHT through cables
7. Only difference is in color coding of other side of wire.
8. Wire that is on 1st number on A-side (one end) should be on 3rd number on B-
side (other side) & vice-versa.
9. Wire that is on 2st number on A-side (one end) should be on 6rd number on B-
side (other side) & vice versa.
10. Now Crimp the RJ45 connector.
11. Your CROSS wire is completed.

How to Cabling Your Network

There are two main ways of connecting PCs together to form a network. There are others, but for now, we will consider only the Ethernet alternatives:

• Coaxial Ethernet

Coaxial ethernet is really a fading concept. Two types are available, Thick-wire and Thin-wire. Thick-wire is very unlikely to be found on modern networking equipment but thin-wire is fairly common. Thin-wire ethernet consists of lengths of 50ohm coax cable that are terminated in BNC bayonet connectors. Thin-wire compatible equipment sport a round barrel that the coax is plugged into. Unfortunately, connecting thin-wire is not always so simple. It is important that a thin-wire cable is correctly terminated and not all thin-net NICs are able to automatically terminate a cable. In this case, it is necessary to use a t-piece c/w a terminator so that a cable impedance of 50ohm is maintained. Failure to observe this will result in communication problems between the network devices.

Note: Thin-wire ethernet is also known by it's technical notation of 10base2.

• TP Ethernet

TP, or Twisted Pair Ethernet is the modern equivalent of 10base2 cable systems. Far more flexible, neater and less prone to network faults, TP appears on a myriad of networking and communications equipment. If you have your single PC already connected to your CM then you are already using RJ45 TP cabling and it will almost probably feature in your network. CAT5 cable consists of 4 pairs of wires, with each pair being two insulated copper wires twisted together. These 'twisted-pairs' are then sheathed in a plastic outer sleeve that come in a variety of colours, although 'computer' beige is probably the most common;-). The standards for ethernet over Cat5 cabling define a maximum length of 100 metres for operation at 10MBps, but in practice it is perfectly possible to extend this maximum by 20 or 30 metres without detriment to network communication.

RJ45 refers to the connector that is crimped onto the end of the CAT 5 cable. The connector is rectangular in shape and has a tab at the top. The cable is inserted so that the tab latches onto a small recess in the socket, rather like the side latch on the ubiquitos BT telephone plug.

Almost all of the network set-ups featured on this site use RJ45 cabling exclusively, with each cable being of the 'straight' type. Where necessary, x-over cables are also employed. The following diagrams show how the two types of ethernet detailed above can be used in a network, with straight RJ45 cables depicted by BLUE lines and cross-overs in RED. Thinwire Co-ax cable is shown in grey.

Connecting a Single PC to a CM connected PC

• With Thinwire

For this set-up a single piece of thinwire co-ax is used to connect two PCs, with each end of the cable physically connected to a T-piece, with the 'spare' connector capped with a terminator to maintain the cable impedance.

It is important to use the correct cable type for thinwire so that the impedance is correct. The official designation is RG58.

• With RJ45

Where two PCs are connected using an RJ45 cable, a cross-over cable needs to be used. An RJ45 cross-over cable actually crosses the transmit and receive pairs in the cable so that one NICs transmit connects to the other NICs receive, and vice versa.

Connecting Multiple PCs to a CM connected PC

• With Thinwire

To add additional clients to the network, remove one of the t-pieces and connect another thinwire coax cable to the vacant connector and replace the terminator at the t-piece of the last device.

Note that some network cards have an on-board termination setting.

• With RJ45

In an RJ45 cabled network, adding additonal clients requires the use of an intermediary device such as a hub or a switch. PCs connect to the hub/switch using straight cables and these are, in turn, connected internally within the hub or switch.

In this environment, there is no requirement for RJ45 cross-over cables.

Straight v. X-over Cables

The requirement for RJ45 cross-over, or x-over, cables is dictated by the type of devices that are being connected. There are two interface types associated with networking equipment, DTE (Data Terminating Equipment) and DCE (Data Communications Equipment). DTE devices mainly consist of PC NICs and Routers. When connecting a DTE device to a DCE device, e.g., a PC to a Hub, a straight cable is required. When the two connecting devices have the same interface type, i.e., both DCE or both DTE, then a x-over cable is necessary.

Device	I/F Type	Device	I/F Type	Cable Type
PC	DTE	Hub Port	DCE	Straight
PC	DTE	Cable Modem	DCE	Straight
PC	DTE	PC	DTE	X-Over
Hub Port	DCE	Hub Port	DCE	X-over

Unfortunately, these examples do not constitute hard and fast rules. Some Cable Modems, especially those integrated in Set-Top Boxes, have DTE interfaces, so any PC or Router that connects to it will need a x-over cable. Also, when connecting two hubs together a x-over cable may not be necessary if one of the hubs has an uplink port. An uplink port will have a DTE type interface, so a straight cable can be used to connect to another DCE port, such as a hub port. On many hubs, one of the ports may have a port that is switchable between DCE and DTE. This function can be manual, so a switch has to be activated, or an interface can auto-detect what type of interface it needs to be.

The following diagram shows the necessary cabling required for both straight and x-over CAT5 cables. Each of the four pairs in a cable are colour coded for easy identification, although the colours may vary between different cables.

The Tx and Rx refer to Transmit and Receive respectively, with the + and - symbols refering to the polarity of the signals. A DTE device will transmit data using cables 1 and 2, whilst a DCE device will transmit on Pins 3 and 6. The transmit cables at one end must be connected to the receive cables at the other end for the connection to work. When constructing cables, it is important that the polarities are maintained so that the cable is not affected by interference.

Setting up a home network or office network

How to Setting up a home network or office network

Why network?

If you are a multiple-computer household, now's the time to get those computers hitched. Doing so has a lot of benefits. You can:

• Share printers, CD-ROM drives and other removeable drives between the computers.
• Eliminate SneakerNet (passing files around on floppy or CD) and share files directly between PCs.
• Share a single Internet connection between computers (provided your agreement with your ISP allows this type of sharing).
• Play multiplayer games.
• Store only a single copy of large files, saving space on the other PCs' hard drives.

You can network computers that run different operating systems, but you'll find the ideal networking setup for a small home LAN (local area network) is with XP running on your most powerful machine(s) and either Windows 98 or Windows Me running on the other computers. I don't recommend trying to include computers running Windows 95 in your network unless you are an experienced user.

10-step total networking

You can get a complete home network up and running in 10 easy steps. Here's a summary of what's involved:

1. Take stock of your existing hardware.
2. If you wish to share an Internet connection using Internet Connection Sharing (ICS), choose which computer will be your ICS host.
3. Decide what type of network technology you wish to use.
4. Make a list of the hardware you need for each computer.
5. Install the network adaptors and install your modem on the ICS host computer.
6. Physically cable the computers together.
7. Switch on all computers, printers and other peripherals.
8. Make sure the ICS host is connected to the Internet.
9. Run the Network Setup Wizard on the ICS host.

10. Run the Network Setup Wizard on the other computers on the network.

Let's take that step by step.

1. Take stock of your hardware

Note each computer's location and its hardware, including peripherals such as printers and modems.

2. Choose your ICS host

If you wish to share an Internet connection between your computers using Internet Connection Sharing (ICS), choose which computer will be your ICS host.

The ICS host has a direct connection, either by dial-up modem or high-speed link, to the Internet and provides access to the Internet for other computers on the network. Ideally, the host should be a computer running Windows XP. I'll assume you have made this choice in the following steps.

Apart from XP's easy handling of ICS, by using an XP computer as your ICS host you get the benefits of using the Internet Connection Firewall.

3. Choose a network technology

The most common choices are Ethernet and wireless LANs. For an Ethernet LAN you will need to install a network interface card, or NIC, in each computer and run cabling between the computers.

If you don't like the idea of opening your computer to install a network card, look for a USB adaptor instead.

Depending on the size of your network, you may also need a network hub or router to provide interconnection between PCs on the LAN. Two PCs can get by using an RJ-45 crossover cable; three or more computers require a hub or multi-speed hub (called a switch).

If you have a high-speed Internet connection, a high-speed router is a good option.

he Network Setup Wizard includes links to detailed advice about configuring your network, including help on designing a network layout to suit your home.

If you opt for a wireless LAN, you'll also need a NIC for each PC (there are versions which use USB adaptors as well). The big benefit for home environments is that a wireless LAN does away with the need for cabling. On the down side, though, wireless LANs tend to be slower, less robust and appreciably more expensive than traditional Ethernet LANs. In particular, wireless LANs do not always live up to their stated working range, and you may find factors such as your home's construction and design, plus interference from other devices affect your wireless LAN's performance. You may need to add an expensive Access Point to extend the range of the LAN and, even so, it may not be sufficient. The bottom line is, if you decide to go the wireless route, make sure the store will refund your money if the LAN will not provide reliable performance within the specified range.

4. Make a list of hardware needed

Make a list of the hardware you need for each computer, not forgetting any cabling, and buy it. If you're a little dazzled by the choices and configurations, consider purchasing a networking kit. These kits contain all you need to set up a two- or three-PC network. If possible, look for hardware which features the Windows XP Logo, indicating it is fully compatible with XP.

5. Install the adaptors

Install the network adaptors and install your modem on the ICS host computer (you can also let the computers connect to the Internet independently by installing modems on each).

6. Cable the computers

Physically cable the computers (and hubs or routers) together. Of course, you won't need to do this if you've chosen to go the wireless route.

If you're installing an Ethernet network and have a lot of cabling work to do, you may prefer to get a professional to come in and do this work for you. It won't be cheap, but you can be sure you get the job done correctly and hopefully with minimal damage done to walls, ceilings and floors.

7. Switch it on

Switch on all computers, printers and other peripherals.

8. Connect the ICS host

Go to the ICS host computer and make sure it is connected to the Internet.

9. Run the Network Setup Wizard on the ICS host

To run the Network Setup Wizard on the ICS host, click Start -> Control Panel -> Network And Internet Connections -> Setup Or Change Your Home Or Small Office Network. Follow the instructions in each screen and press Next to continue.

XP's Network Setup Wizard takes much of the pain out of setting up a home network.

The Network Setup Wizard will guide you through:

• Configuring your network adaptors (NICs).
• Configuring your computers to share a single Internet connection.
• Naming each computer. (Each computer requires a name to identify it on the network.)
• Sharing the Shared Files folder. Any files in this folder will be accessible to all computers on the network.
• Sharing printers.
• Installing the Internet Connection Firewall to guard you from online attacks.

10. Run the Network Setup Wizard on all computers

To do so:

1. Insert the Windows XP CD in the first computer's drive.
2. When the XP Welcome Menu appears, click Perform Additional Tasks.
3. Click Setup Home Or Small Office Networking and follow the prompts.
4. Repeat steps 1 to 3 for each computer on your network.

The quickie XP network

If you want a really easy networking experience and you have the hardware to support it, consider clean installing Windows XP on two or more computers. First install your network hardware (network interface cards, cabling, et cetera), then perform a new installation of Windows XP. During installation, XP will sense your hardware setup, ask for a name for each computer, and then ask which type of setup you wish to create. Select Typical Settings For A Default Network Configuration.

That's it. Provided your hardware is XP-compatible, XP will create a LAN using the workgroup name MSHOME.

Using your network

Once you have your network up and running, you can easily access other computers on the network via My Network Places (click Start -> My Network Places).

The Task Pane in My Network Places lets you access computers on your network and adjust settings.

The Task Pane in My Network Places lets you view your network connections and view each of the computers in your workgroup (the workgroup consists of all computers on a network which share the same workgroup name – by default, XP gives all computers on your home network the workgroup name MSHOME, although you can change this if you wish). When you initially open My Network Places, you'll see icons for the Shared Files folder of each of the active network computers.

Sharing a printer

With your home network installed, your PC suddenly gains all the advantages of the other PC's on the network. If you've been lusting after your sister's colour photo printer, you can now print directly to it from your own machine. Provided, that is, your sister decides to share her printer. (You might offer to let her share your laser printer in return as an inducement – sharing works both ways.)

To share a printer, on the computer which is directly connected to the printer:

1. Click Start -> Control Panel -> Printers And Other Hardware -> Printers And Faxes. (Note: These steps will be a little different if you're sharing a printer on a PC running a version of Windows other than XP. For example, under Windows Me, you click Start -> Settings -> Printers.)
2. Click the printer you wish to share.
3. Click Share This Printer in the Task Pane.
4. In the printer's Properties dialog, click the Sharing tab.
5. Click Share Name and OK.

Make a printer accessible to others on the network by sharing it.

Once a printer has been shared you can access it from other computers on the network. To do so:

1. Click Start -> Control Panel -> Printers And Other Hardware.
2. Click Add A Printer.
3. In the Add New Printer wizard, when asked whether the printer is a local or network printer, select the latter.
4. In the next screen, select the option to Browse For A Printer and click Next.
5. Select the appropriate printer from the list and continue with the wizard.

Sharing files and folders

Sharing a folder is even easier than sharing a printer:

1. Open a folder (such as My Documents), click Make A New Folder in the Task Pane and name your new folder.
2. With the new folder highlighted, click Share This Folder.
3. In the Sharing tab of the Properties dialog box, select Share This Folder On The Network.
4. Provide a descriptive name for the folder. This name should make it easy for others on the network to recognize the folder; it doesn't have to be the same as the folder name you selected in step 1.
5. You can let other people on the network view and edit your files or view them only. If you want to protect your files from tampering, remove the tick from Allow Other Users To Change My Files.

There are a variety of ways to access a shared folder. Here's one way:

1. Click Start -> My Network Places -> View Workgroup Computers.
2. Click the computer whose files you wish to access and then click the shared folder.