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 ConnectorsThe 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. |  |
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Installing a PCI CardGently 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 CableNext, 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. |  |