Setting Up Your First Network
This will help with the first steps: what you need to connect your computers and create your first network.

A local area network is created when two or more computers are connected to share files or an internet connection, or to share printers, cameras or other devices.

Cables and Connectors

The first thing to check is whether your PC has a network port. Many do, but look on the rear panel just to be sure. The network port looks like the phone port, but is a little larger [at left, a phone cable and port, next to a network cable and port].

The cabling you use for networking is called Category 5 Cabling and is often blue in colour. Network cables can be purchased in lengths from 2 to 15 meters or longer by special order.

If you don't have a Network Port

Easily solved! For your Desktop Computer, simply drop a Network Interface Card (NIC) - such as the NetComm 1100 - into you computer's standard PCI slot.

The PCI slot is accessed by removing the outer casing of the PC.

Installing a PCI Card

Gently press the NB1100 card into the PCI slot, as shown on left. When it is correctly positioned, a network attachement point has been added to your PC. Replace the PC housing, and your computer is almost network-ready.

 

Connecting the Cable

Next, install the software drivers that you will find on the CD-ROM supplied with your Network Interface Card. The 'Install Wizard' makes this a simple process.

Then connect the network cable to the network port on the Network Interface Card.

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