HowTo: Microsoft: SOHO Network 2: Set up a Router and Workstations using DHCP and Preset TCPIP Ranges for a Small-Office/Home-Office Workgroup on Broadband Internet
Summary: This tutorial shows how to set up a router to feed broadband cable or ADSL/DSL internet to a home, home-office or small office (SOHO) network of computer workstations --and-- how to set up each workstation to accept a TCPIP address assigned by the DHCP server in the router, to form a network of computers that communicate with each other and with the internet.
The following section was covered on Page 1:
- Section 1: Introducing Networks and the Internet
Section 2: Connecting the router and computers:
Modern routers can sense whether the cable you're using, usually sheathed in blue [sometimes in red or yellow] is standard or crossover and can adapt to the type. Crossover means the wires are crossed when compared to wires in standard cables. The type is usually stamped on the coloured sleeve. If problems arise don't use the crossover pieces.
Connect a standard cable from the (A)DSL or cable modem to the port on the router labelled WAN (wide area network). Then connect cables from the ethernet port on each computer to the one of the LAN (local area network) ports on the router. When you turn on the router and the computers there should be (ususally green) lights on the router, one for each of the switched on computers and one for the broadband modem; eg for four powered up computers + one modem you should see five lights.
It can take up to 15 minutes for the server on the internet to realise that you are ready to make a fresh connection to the internet, so at this stage you should power off your broadband modem so the ISP servers can get ready for your soon to be newly-configured connection.
Section 3: Configuring the computers as members of a Workgroup
Windows 98 Second Edition: The control panel is located through this sequence: Start --> settings --> control panel. Open the Control panel and LClick Network. This will open the Network panel.
The first thing is to check that appropriate Microsoft networking software has been installed. In the Configuration list you should see, amongst other things, these components: Client for Microsoft Networks, Your Network Adapter Name, TCP/IP [sometimes with ->Net Card Name], File and Printer Sharing for Microsoft Networks.
If Client for Microsoft Networks is missing do this: Add --> Client --> Add --> Microsoft --> Client for Microsoft Networks --> OK.
If TCP/IP is missing do this: Add --> protocol --> add --> Microsoft --> TCP/IP --> OK.
If File and Printer Sharing for Microsoft Networks is missing do this : Add --> Service --> Add --> File and Printer Sharing for Microsoft Networks --> OK.
If you need to add anything above, you will likely need the Win98SE install disk. If your network card is missing from the list have a cup of tea and a BEX powder (Google that), have the card's driver ready and activate Add New Hardware in Control Panel.
Assuming that necessary components are installed, LClick the Identification tab in the Network panel and you'll see
the Computer name and the name of the Workgroup. You can choose pretty much any Workgroup name but it must be the same for all computers. The Computer Name must be different for each computer, i.e. unique within the workgroup. You can edit the names here and LClick OK to lock everything in.
Finally make sure Share-level access control is activated under the Access Control tab.
Windows 2000: The control panel is located through this sequence: Start --> settings --> control panel. Open the Control panel and LClick System. This will open the System Properties panel.
LClick the Network Identification tab in the System Properties panel and you'll see the Full computer name and the name of the Workgroup. You can choose pretty much any Workgroup name but it must be the same for all computers. The Full Computer Name must be different for each computer, i.e. unique within the workgroup. To change either or both of these please LClick the Properties button to open the Identification Changes panel.
You can edit the names here and LClick OK to lock them in. Remember, for each computer, use the same workgroup name and different computer names.
Windows XP: Open the Control Panel using Start --> control panel. Control panel will open with either the default view or the classic view - it doesn't matter, both contain an icon labelled System. LClick the System icon to open the System Properties panel.
LClick the Network Identification tab in the System Properties panel and you'll see the Full computer name and the name of the Workgroup. You can choose pretty much any Workgroup name but it must be the same for all computers. The Full Computer Name must be different for each computer, i.e. unique within the workgroup. To change either or both of these please LClick the Change button to open the Identification Changes panel.
You can edit the names here and LClick OK to lock them in. Remember, for each computer, use the same workgroup name and different computer names.
Go back to page 1 or forward to page 3.
MS Windows Tutorials.
There are only a few at the moment. I will gradually build more.There are five mini HowTo Tutorials in a set. Each HowTo treats a different, independent security program. These are:
Grisoft's AVG Antivirus
virus scanner
Zone Labs' ZoneAlarm
firewall
Lavasoft's Ad Aware
malware cleaner
Javcool's SpywareBlaster
spyware gate
SpyBot's Search & Destroy
registry cleaner
Together, these five quite excellent free programs provide multi faceted and overlapping security not available from single proprietory [i.e. non-free] security package.
Cheers, Swerdna.
